Context:

• The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5.2) is being held from 5 to 14 August 2025 at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Objectives:

• Control of Plastic Production:

Limiting virgin plastic production, especially single-use plastics and harmful chemicals.

• Chemical Control:

Banning hazardous substances such as Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

• Financial and Technical Assistance:

Providing funding and technology transfer for sustainable plastic management in developing countries.

• Health and Environmental Protection:

Reducing the impact of microplastics and waste on human health and marine life.

• Treaty Scope:

A comprehensive agreement covering the full lifecycle of plastics — production, use, disposal, and recycling.

Key Issues and Disputes:

• Scope of the Treaty:

Over 100 countries support production limits, while oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia emphasize only waste management.

Countries like Norway argue that without production limits, the treaty is ineffective.

• Single-Use Plastics:

A proposal to phase out single-use plastics by 2040, but no consensus on its implementation.

• Development Concerns:

Countries like India argue that production caps could affect their economic growth.

India generates 20% of global plastic waste (~9.3 million tonnes annually).

• Health and Environment:

Emphasis on reducing health risks from microplastics and hazardous chemicals.

India’s Role and Challenges:

• Position:

India has opposed production caps, but has shown interest in leading efforts to develop global norms for banning single-use plastics.

According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India’s proposals focus on environmental impact, recycling capacity, and socio-economic factors.

• Challenges:

India is one of the world’s largest contributors to plastic pollution, with 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the environment due to mismanagement.

• Opportunities:

India has the potential to take global leadership through circular economy and recycling technologies.

Timeline and Progress:

2017

• December:

UNEA formed an expert group to explore potential global actions to eliminate marine litter and plastic pollution.

WWF and other environmental groups first proposed a binding global agreement.

2018

• Expert meetings held in Nairobi (Kenya) and Geneva (Switzerland) recommended exploring a global binding agreement.

2019

• March: UNEA meeting in Nairobi – most countries agreed to work towards a global agreement on ocean plastics.
• July: 15 Caribbean nations adopted a declaration demanding a global plastic waste agreement.
• August: Pacific leaders committed to preventing ocean plastic pollution.
• November: African environment ministers issued a joint policy statement in support of a global agreement.

2020

• July: 55 countries led by Norway, Maldives, and Antigua & Barbuda formed a group at the UN HQ in New York to push for a treaty.
• October: 29 global companies issued a business manifesto calling for a new treaty.

Reports by BCG, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and WWF highlighted benefits of global rules.

The European Union also pledged support.

2021

• June: On UN Ocean Day, 74 small island nations demanded a global plastic treaty.
• November: At COP22 (Barcelona), Mediterranean countries supported the treaty.

156 countries (over two-thirds of UN members) backed a global plastics agreement.

• December: Over 700 civil society groups from 113 countries signed a declaration for a legally binding treaty.

2022

• March: UNEA in Nairobi adopted Resolution 5/14 – “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument.”

WWF’s petition supporting the resolution garnered over 2.2 million signatures, handed to Norway’s Environment Minister.

• August: Norway and Rwanda, along with 18 countries, launched the High Ambition Coalition aiming to end plastic pollution by 2040.
• November: First INC meeting (INC-1) held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, with 145+ countries supporting strong global rules.

2023

• June: INC-2 held in Paris, France – 134 governments demanded uniform global rules covering the entire plastic lifecycle.

A mandate was given to prepare a “zero draft.”

• September: The “zero draft” was published to serve as the basis for INC-3.
• November: INC-3 held in Nairobi, Kenya – Limited progress due to procedural delays; more text was added to the zero draft.

2024

• April: INC-4 held in Ottawa, Canada – discussed banning problematic plastics, but no consensus on production and consumption cuts.

The chair was authorized to prepare a new zero draft and hold intersessional consultations before INC-5.

• November: INC-5 took place in Busan, South Korea – no consensus reached on major issues. Hence, INC-5.2 was scheduled.

2025

• August: INC-5.2 is being held from 5 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is seen as the final attempt to conclude the Global Plastics Treaty.