Negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty have wrapped up in Geneva – and while ambition remains high, the outcome has left many disappointed. Here’s what happened, and what it means for the road ahead.
- Professor Sarah Dunlop, Head of Plastics and Human Health, Minderoo Foundation
If you’re reading this, you likely already know what’s at stake.
The Global Plastics Treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle the unchecked reign of plastics and the devastation they (and their chemicals) pose to human health and our environment.
We know this change is possible.
When we learnt that lead in petrol caused severe health harms, including reduced IQ in children and higher risks of heart disease and strokes in adults, the world came together.
Instead of just managing exposure, we cut the problem at its source by eliminating the use of lead in petrol.
We can do the same for plastics.
The evidence against plastics is mounting. Research continues to link plastic chemicals to serious health harms, and the time to act is now.
However, negotiations are progressing slowly.
As Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez reminded delegates in Geneva, “[At INC-5.2], we have representatives from every geography, from every faith, every ideology, every corner of the world. We have people from mountains, from coastal communities, and mega cities.
Plastic does not discriminate. Rich or poor, old or young – none of us are spared from its pollution.
A quick INC recap: how we got here
MARCH 2022
In a historic moment, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. This decision marked the official start of a global process to tackle plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle.
NOVEMBER 2022
The first intergovernmental negotiating meeting (INC-1) took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay. More than 145 countries publicly supported the creation of a global plastics treaty.
JUNE 2023
INC-2 was held in Paris, France. Negotiators secured a mandate to develop a “zero draft” treaty text.
SEPTEMBER 2023
The “zero draft” of the Global Plastics Treaty was published – the first comprehensive draft that would serve as the foundation for further negotiations.
NOVEMBER 2023
INC-3 was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. Sharp divisions became visible: some countries wanting a treaty addressing production, chemical use in plastic and waste, while others only wanting a treaty on recycling.
APRIL 2024
INC-4 took place in Ottawa, Canada. Sharp divisions between countries became more entrenched and the draft text became over 50 pages long.
OCTOBER 2024
A proposed chairs text was released, aiming to streamline the draft text.
NOVEMBER 2024
INC-5 was convened in Busan, South Korea. This meeting was intended to deliver the final treaty text, but agreement could not be reached.
85 countries who wanted the treaty to be ambitious and cover the full lifecycle of plastic rallied behind Rwanda’s “Stand Up for Ambition” statement. This statement called for binding measures on production limits, chemical controls, and support for developing countries.
JUNE 2025
The ‘Nice wake-up call for an ambitious plastics treaty’ was a ministerial declaration adopted by 96 countries at the UN Ocean Conference.
This statement outlined four features ambitious countries wanted to see in the Global Plastics Treaty. They included: phasing out problematic plastic products and chemicals of concern, improving the design of plastic products, effective means of implementation and a treaty which could be strengthened over time.
AUGUST 2025
INC-5.2 brought negotiators to Geneva for the ‘final round’ of negotiations. Here’s what happened...
In Geneva, negotiators were supposed to finish what they couldn’t in Busan.
And while ambition remains high and widespread, progress was once again blocked by just a few.
![Three people stand outside the UN building in Geneva holding A4 pieces of paper that say “We are waste pickers and we ask for a equitable financing and an ambitions and legaly binding treaty [sic]” and “Soy recicladora, no soy invisible. Pedimos una transicion justa” (“I am a waste picker, I am not invisible. We ask for a just transition"). They look stern and determined.](https://cdn.minderoo.org/assets/uploads/stories/inc-5-2-wrap-up/gettyimages-2229069848.jpg)
Here’s the five key takeaways from the negotiations that you should know.
1. Agreement to a treaty text was not reached
While this outcome is disappointing, many negotiators concluded that no deal was better than a weak one.
Two new drafts were put forward in the last 24 hours that focused on voluntary measures, both of which were rejected by countries pushing for an ambitious treaty.
Through this refusal, a half-hearted solution was avoided and momentum towards real change remains strong.
2. Treaty negotiations continue to reveal a clear divide between two camps
At INC-5.2, discussions highlighted the ongoing sharp divide between countries.
Upstream and Downstream camp (majority): Support full plastic lifecycle measures, including chemical regulation, production caps, and financial mechanisms to ensure fairness. Members include the EU, UK, Australia, Pacific, and most African and Latin American countries.
Downstream camp (“Like Minded Group”): Pushes for a narrower focus on just recycling and waste management, whilst allowing plastics to continue to be produced exponentially. This group includes members of the Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
3. There was a record number of industry lobbyists in attendance at INC-5.2
According to the Center for International Environmental Law, at least 234 fossil and chemical industry lobbyists registered at INC-5.2 in Geneva (up from the 221 they identified at INC-5.1.)
Their strengthened presence shows that the fossil fuel industry is concerned that bold action is possible, which is all the more reason to continue in our push for real change.
4. The voices of civil society were powerful and united in Geneva
Importantly, civil society organisations showed up in force. This included Indigenous Peoples, waste pickers, artists, young people, and scientists – who raised their voices through protests, art installations, press briefings and events at and around the Palais.
The Thinker’s Burden
We were proud to support Benjamin @VonWong’s latest creation, The Thinker’s Burden, a 6m tall sculptural symbolising the growing health and environmental impacts of an unregulated plastic industry on both people and planet.
Strong Treaty Now!
In a mass demonstration organised by Greenpeace Switzerland and the Break Free from Plastic Movement (and a growing coalition of civil society organisations and citizens) gathered at Place des Nations in Geneva to demand an ambitious and legally binding treaty that puts people and the planet first.
5. What’s next remains uncertain
The path forward for negotiations is still unclear. No date has been set for INC-5.3.
The Chair stated that talks will resume, but it’s unclear when or how the deadlock will be resolved – or which draft text will serve as the starting point.
But we do know this: we will continue to fight for a strong and fair treaty, as well as bold measures to protect people and planet here at home.
While INC-5.2 didn’t deliver the treaty outcome many had hoped for, the rejection of weak drafts was a meaningful win.
Ambition remains alive, civil society is louder than ever, and increased industry resistance shows their fears that real change is possible.
Our changing plastic for good initiative is investing in startups and driving groundbreaking research to replace harmful plastic with sustainable materials.
Momentum is building. And we will not stop pushing until people and our planet are protected.
Want to keep up-to-date on our work towards a strong and effective plastics treaty?
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