Busan hosts final talks to seal global plastics treaty

Busan, Korea, will host the highly anticipated fifth and final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty from 25 November to 1 December 2024. Nations are rallying to agree on a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution across its full lifecycle.

The treaty, driven by a United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution adopted in March 2022, has been hailed as a historic move towards a plastic-free future. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the urgency, stating, “Busan can and must mark the end of the negotiations, which began with the historic UNEA resolution over two years ago.”

The proposed treaty seeks to tackle plastic pollution, including its devastating impact on the marine environment, by addressing production, usage, and disposal challenges. Significant progress was achieved in earlier sessions, with momentum building towards consensus in Busan. The negotiating committee chair has successfully steered discussions closer to alignment, yet critical questions linger. Will the treaty’s final text be bold enough to ensure global compliance and offer financial sustainability?

As the deadline to finalize the treaty approaches, the global community eagerly watches Busan, where decisions made will determine whether this landmark agreement fulfils its promise to “end plastic pollution” and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.