New Round of UN Negotiations on Plastic Pollution

A new round of negotiations has begun under the auspices of the UN, with representatives from 180 countries meeting to pursue a binding agreement to reduce plastic pollution. The sixth session, taking place three years after the start of talks, aims to overcome the obstacles encountered at the previous meeting in 2024, which was marked by opposition from oil-producing countries.

Luis Vagoas Valdivieso, head of the negotiations, stressed that reaching a legally binding agreement is not a simple matter. Plastic pollution is recognized as a serious and growing threat to health, with economic impacts estimated at $1.5 trillion annually, according to a study published in The Lancet.

The negotiations focus on imposing production limits, controlling producers of plastics and raw materials, and providing financial assistance to developing countries to implement the agreement. Robert Kitumaini Tshikuani, from the NGO Solidarité pour la Protection des droits de l’enfant, highlighted the impact of pollution in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Graeme Forbes of Greenpeace called for an end to the overproduction of plastic, while Sima Prabu of Trash Hero World stressed the need for a just transition to reuse and recycling, particularly in Southeast Asian countries.