Delegates from 177 countries have gathered this week in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth round of negotiations aimed at finalizing what could become the world's first legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution. Kicking off with the opening ceremony held at Bexco on Monday, the conference is poised to tackle the monumental challenge of managing plastic waste, which has risen to over 10 billion tons since the 1950s, strangling landfills, clogging sewage systems, streams, and rivers, and polluting the world's oceans. The urgency for action is underscored by environmental experts who warn of the dire health and ecological consequences associated with unchecked plastic use.
The initiative to craft this treaty originated from resolutions passed at the UN Environment Assembly meeting held in March 2022. This year’s session, officially called the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5), carries with it expectations not only to address the production and management of plastics but to also establish frameworks for sustainable utilization. Environment Minister Kim Wan-sup, leading the South Korean delegation, reflected on the conference's importance, stating, “We gather here not solely as representatives of our respective nations, but as guardians of our shared environment.”
“The world needs an end to plastic pollution,” emphasized the UN Environment Programme's executive director, inger Andersen, who urged negotiators to deliver strong solutions during the week. Andersen painted the gravity of the situation with stark imagery: “No one wants to find plastic in the placenta or the blood of the unborn baby,” highlighting the deep health impacts of plastic pollution.
Despite the noble objective, the road to consensus has been fraught with tensions, particularly around issues such as regulation of raw plastic production. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have resisted stringent controls, worried about economic repercussions, preferring instead to focus on waste management and recycling. Conversely, many other nations argue for stricter regulations on plastic production itself. The differences are significant enough to raise concerns about whether any meaningful agreement can be realized.
To streamline the negotiation process, INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdiviesco introduced a non-paper outlining sustainable production and consumption definitions. Valdiviesco expressed optimism about reaching common ground, insisting, “Achieving consensus would require relentless effort—but together, I’m optimistic we can craft a treaty with real impact, securing a healthier and sustainable future.”
If the current session fails, countries may avert responsibility by falling back on ineffective plans previously adopted, raising the stakes even higher not only for the negotiators involved but also for the global community affected by plastic waste.
The stakes are made even clearer when one considers the scope of plastic waste entering the ocean annually; estimates suggest around 8 to 10 million metric tons seep through every year. The harmful effects of plastic pollution resonate not only with the environment but also through various aspects of human health. Scientific studies associate microplastics with serious health risks, including respiratory issues and cancers.
From the intensifying discussions on setting regulatory standards, topics will likely shift to financing mechanisms necessary for treaty implementation, as past environmental agreements have shown financial support is often central to their success. Andersen stressed, “Financing is central to multilateral environmental agreements,” reminding delegates of the pivotal lessons learned during the preceding climate talks.
Countries have until December 1 to agree on this significant international treaty, and the clock is ticking. Observers are cautiously watching as discussions evolve, with the hope they will put aside differences for the greater good. “Nobody wants a bad deal,” Andersen reiterated, emphasizing the importance of this negotiation.
The treaty's ambition includes addressing not just waste management but the entirety of plastic’s lifecycle, from production to recycling innovation and sustained efforts to de-incentivize the creation of unnecessary single-use plastics. Academics and industry experts alike stress the need for comprehensive, systematic, and politically unified action to stem plastic pollution at its source.
India, having developed ambitious criteria to manage and phase out single-use plastics nationally, has positioned itself as a potential leader for this global conversation. The country's efforts, which led to the ban of more than 40 single-use items, may serve as models for creating sustainable frameworks internationally.
While progress is being made, it’s important to recognize the challenges—ultimately reducing reliance on plastics requires global cooperation and might necessitate hard sacrifices from countries dependent on plastics for economic gain.
Local stakeholders, environmental organizations, and international watchdogs all share the sentiment: the effort must not fail. While the negotiations may seem sprawling and complex, the broader aim remains clear: the world urgently needs integrated solutions to plastic pollution to safeguard future generations.
The INC-5 negotiations, running through Sunday, aim to draft key text which, if successful, can offer hope and direction not just for nations but also for millions of people whose lives have been irreversibly impacted by plastic pollution. The following week will be pivotal, as it could usher in regulations aimed at reducing waste and shifting the paradigm on plastic usage worldwide.
Whether delegates leave Busan with decisive commitments remains to be seen, but the weight of history and global anticipation hangs heavily on this conference. Expectations are high, and with the clock ticking, individuals and groups across the globe remain hopeful for progress against one of today's most pervasive environmental threats.
