Fifth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5)
November 25–December 1, 2024, Busan, South Korea
Toxics Link participated as an observer at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) organised from November 25-December 1, 2024 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), Busan, Republic of Korea, INC-5 was chaired by Ambassador of Ecuador to the United Kingdom Luis Vayas Valdivieso and attended by 3,300 delegates including government representatives from 170 countries and observers from more than 440 organisations worldwide.
After days of intensive negotiations aimed at bridging the differences between countries, delegates could not reach a consensus on a new treaty to combat plastic pollution. With the agreement of all members, the INC Chair decided to suspend the session and reconvene in 2025. However, the delegates agreed to use the ‘Chair’s Text’ as the foundation for discussions when the session resumes.
The Articles on which the envoys could not reach an agreement include:
- Article 3: Addressing plastic products and chemicals of concern
- Article 6: Governing global production
- Article 11: Outlining financing mechanisms
Toxics Link has been researching on a range of plastic waste issues for over a decade now, including management of overall plastic waste, recycling of WEEE (Waste electrical and electronic) plastic, impact assessment of regulations, microplastics as an emerging global threat, and single-use plastic. Ms Alka Dubey, Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link, represented the organisation as an observer at INC-5.
We hope for a Treaty that focuses on reducing plastic production, addressing toxic chemicals with life cycle assessment, and addressing legacy plastic waste.
