Negotiations on a global plastic treaty have failed to produce results

Luxembourg's Ministry of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB) participated in an additional session of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) held in Geneva from 5-14 August 2025. This process, which started in 2022 under the mandate of the United Nations Environment Assembly (ANUE), was to lead to the creation of an international legally binding instrument on combating plastic pollution.

However, as in December 2024, no agreement could be reached. The main stumbling blocks remain the same: plastic production volumes, use of hazardous chemical additives, banning problematic plastics, product design and standards, as well as financial mechanisms and decision-making rules for the future treaty.

Despite the lack of final consensus, the work was not in vain. The outcome of the meeting was a new, more elaborated draft text that will form the basis for further discussions.

Minister Serge Wilmes said: "Plastic pollution is a global challenge that can only be overcome by working together, looking at the whole life cycle of plastic. It is a pity that despite the EU's willingness to compromise, an agreement could not be reached. Nevertheless, it is a long way to go and it is important to move forward together".

A new date for the resumption of negotiations has not yet been set, but it's becoming increasingly clear: creating a global plastic treaty will be a marathon, not a sprint.