Will delegates beat the deadline to deliver a new treaty on plastic pollution to the world? On the penultimate day of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, states reconvened behind closed doors for informal consultations throughout the day.
Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
Basing their discussions on a Non-Paper containing draft text of the Chair of the INC, delegates concentrated their efforts on “topics with high convergence,” stating their “red lines.” The topics identified are:
- product design (draft article 5);
- releases and leakages (draft article 7);
- plastic waste management (draft article 8);
- [existing][legacy] plastic pollution (draft article 9);
- just transition (draft article 10);
- capacity building, “technology” assistance and technology transfer, including international cooperation (draft article 12);
- implementation and compliance (draft article 13);
- national action plans (draft article 14);
- reporting (draft article 15); and
- health (draft article 19).
Going into these closed-door discussions, delegates shared mixed reactions about how much progress could be made at INC-5. Some were cautiously optimistic that a “skeleton treaty” could be hammered out in the dying moments of the meeting. Others were resigned to the idea that “an additional meeting may be required to get us over the finish line.” “It is still early,” joked one delegate, “we may just pull it off.”
With one day left to beat the scheduled deadline to conclude negotiations, the INC-5 outcome remains to be seen.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For INC-5 please use: Photo by IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth
Informal Consultations Throughout the Day
Consultations continue behind closed doors throughout the day
Delegates consult informally throughout the day
Delegates reflect on the state of negotiations
Tuulia Toikka, Finland, Kate Lynch, Australia, and Gwendalyn Sisior, Palau
Marcos Dementev, Brazil, and Xiang Gao, China
Press Conferences
The International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Plastics hold a press conference to ‘gather in unity and ceremony’ to have their voices heard about the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution on lives, communities, and ecosystems
Tori Cress, Beausoleil First Nation in Williams Treaty Territory, Society of Native Nations, and Juan Mancias, Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Society of Native Nations, and Co-Chair, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics
Jo Banner, St. John Parrish, Louisiana, Co-Founder and Co-Director, The Descendants Project, and CJ Smith-White, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Councilor for Aamjiwnaang First Nation
Rochelle Diver, International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
Maria Soledad Mella Vidal, Mapuche Territory, Chile, International Alliance of Recyclers (L), and Juan Gregorio Jaime Leon, International Indian Treaty Council (R), with their translator
Suzanne Smoke, Ginew Kwe, Golden Eagle Woman, Mississauga's of Rice
Delegates applaud the bravery of the Indigenous Peoples representatives to share their stories
Representatives from Greenpeace hold a press conference to share thoughts on the state of negotiations
Around the Venue
The INC-5 Chair holds bilateral meetings with different delegations throughout the day
Delegates from the Russian Federation consult informally
INC-5 Chair Luis Vayas, Ecuador
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) family photo
Delegates from the EU have a bilateral meeting with the INC-5 Chair
Delegates speak informally between sessions
Family photo of the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Plastics
Family photo of Greenpeace
Frankie Orona, Society of Native Nations
