Geneva plastic treaty talks adjourn; discussions to resume

The UN Environment Programme announced that intergovernmental talks in Geneva (INC-5.2) adjourned without agreeing a final legally binding treaty text on plastic pollution; Member States agreed to resume discussions at a future date.

• Confirmed facts: INC-5.2 convened in Geneva at the UN Palais des Nations with more than 2,600 participants (approximately 1,400 country delegates and close to 1,000 observers representing at least 400 organizations); delegates from 183 nations attended. Four contact groups were established to address plastic design, chemicals of concern, production caps, and finance and compliance instruments. The INC process began in March 2022 following UNEA resolution 5.2.
• Planned/next steps: Member States expressed a clear wish to continue engagement and the talks were adjourned to resume at a future date (no firm timeline provided); UNEP stated it will continue work against plastic pollution. Named officials: Inger Andersen (UNEP Executive Director), Luis Vayas Valdivieso (INC Chair), Jyoti Mathur-Filipp (Executive Secretary, INC Secretariat).