Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks Extend Amid Ongoing Disputes

Negotiations aimed at establishing a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution have been extended for an additional day in Geneva, but a clear resolution remains elusive. Originally scheduled to conclude on August 14, 2025, the discussions saw delegates from 185 countries continue deliberations until the final moments of the day, only to find themselves without a definitive agreement.

Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the talks, announced the adjournment of the plenary session, stating that consultations on a revised draft text were still ongoing. The session, which brought all participating nations together in the main assembly hall of the UN Palais des Nations, lasted less than a minute, leaving many delegates visibly frustrated and confused about the next steps.

Aleksandar Rankovic from The Common Initiative think tank described the atmosphere in the room as chaotic, noting, “It’s such a mess. I’ve never seen that.” He expressed doubt about the likelihood of reaching an agreement, indicating a pervasive sense of discontent among delegates.

Throughout the day, Vayas engaged in discussions with various regional delegations, attempting to forge a consensus following a failed attempt to do so the previous day. According to a diplomatic source from one of the regional groups, there was a pervasive feeling that “something is missing” from the negotiations.

As the deadline approached, some delegates expressed hope for a last-minute compromise, while others voiced concern about the lack of progress. The negotiations, which began over two years ago in Nairobi, have faced challenges as countries with differing interests struggle to find common ground.

Efforts to bridge gaps between nations advocating for robust action against plastic waste and those prioritizing waste management have intensified. Deborah Barasa, Kenya’s Environment Minister and a member of the High Ambition Coalition, emphasized the need for a comprehensive global treaty. She stated, “We need to come to a middle ground,” suggesting that nations could agree on a treaty now and refine details later.

The High Ambition Coalition, which includes the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, along with several African and Latin American countries, seeks provisions aimed at reducing plastic production and phasing out toxic chemicals. In contrast, the Like-Minded Group, consisting of predominantly oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Russia, advocates for a focus primarily on waste management.

The urgency of addressing plastic pollution is underscored by statistics from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which projects that annual production of fossil-fuel-based plastics will nearly triple by 2060, reaching 1.2 billion tonnes. Concurrently, plastic waste is expected to exceed one billion tonnes annually. The severity of the issue is further highlighted by the staggering amount of plastic entering oceans, estimated at 15 million tonnes per minute.

In response to this escalating crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron called for decisive action, urging all states involved in the Geneva talks to adopt an agreement that adequately addresses the environmental and public health emergency posed by plastic pollution. Sharing his thoughts on social media, Macron questioned, “What are we waiting for to act?”

As the extended talks continue, the global community watches closely, hoping for a unified approach to combat the pervasive threat of plastic pollution. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for environmental policy and international cooperation in the years to come.