In a renewed effort to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis, international delegates have gathered in Geneva for a fresh round of negotiations aimed at formulating a legally binding agreement. The 10-day conference, which began on Tuesday, brings together representatives from dozens of countries along with over 600 non-governmental organizations.
Despite the failure to reach consensus at last year’s talks in Busan, South Korea, diplomatic efforts quietly continued behind the scenes. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has since taken the lead in reigniting momentum toward an international treaty.
“In Busan, we didn’t reach an agreement—but what followed was intense diplomatic engagement that has brought fresh energy to these negotiations,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “A deal won’t come easily, but the opportunity is real.”
Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels, with microplastics now found everywhere—from the highest mountain peaks to the deepest parts of the ocean, and even inside the human body. Back in 2022, nations pledged to develop a global treaty to combat plastic waste, but conflicting views—particularly from oil-producing countries—stalled progress in Busan.
This week’s negotiations are being chaired by Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso. “Our paths and perspectives may differ,” he said, “but our destination is the same—a world free from plastic pollution. We are now closer than ever to a fair, ambitious, and effective agreement.”
In a significant shift from previous sessions, civil society groups and NGOs are being given a greater role in discussing the complex details of the treaty—an approach shaped by the lessons learned in Busan.
Observers note that the success of the Geneva talks will hinge on how effectively nations can bridge their differences and commit to concrete, enforceable measures.