The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced that the next round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty will take place from August 5 to 14, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This session, known as the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), will be preceded by regional consultations on August 4, 2025.

The renewed discussions follow the previous negotiations in December 2024 in Busan, South Korea, where countries were unable to reach a final agreement. Originally, the Busan meeting was expected to conclude the treaty negotiations, as outlined in the 2022 UN resolution that launched the treaty process. However, significant disagreements remained unresolved, leading to the decision to extend the talks into INC-5.2. The key areas of contention include restrictions on plastic production, the regulation of hazardous chemicals, and financing mechanisms for implementing the treaty.

One of the major points of debate has been the decision-making process itself. The European Union, which is part of the High-Ambition Coalition, has shifted its stance in favor of majority voting for the treaty. EU representatives have stated that they would rather withdraw from negotiations than accept an agreement that lacks strong measures to combat plastic pollution. The current negotiation framework requires decisions to be made by consensus among all 170-plus participating nations, a process that has contributed to stalled discussions and prolonged disputes over key provisions.

Supporters of a more ambitious treaty argue that there is still a viable path toward a meaningful agreement. They advocate for concrete limits on resin production, as well as restrictions on certain plastic products and hazardous chemicals. These proponents believe that establishing legally binding measures is essential to curbing global plastic pollution and its environmental and health impacts.

In recent public statements, diplomats from countries pushing for stricter regulations have indicated that they are actively working behind the scenes to consolidate support for a stronger treaty. These efforts are aimed at building on the momentum gained during the previous rounds of negotiations and addressing the concerns of nations that remain hesitant about stringent measures.

As the INC-5.2 session approaches, the pressure is mounting for negotiators to find common ground and make significant progress toward a final agreement. The outcome of the Geneva talks will be crucial in determining the future of global efforts to tackle plastic pollution. Whether nations can bridge their differences and commit to a legally binding treaty remains to be seen, but the upcoming negotiations represent a critical opportunity to take decisive action on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.