The 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, Including in the Marine Environment (INC-5) is taking place in in Busan, Republic of Korea on 25 November – 1 December 2024. An IPCP Member is attending and providing daily summaries.
Today at INC-5, the pace slowed for observers. With the contact groups having finalized their work yesterday, the responsibility now rests with the Chair to produce a consolidated document—a pivotal step in the negotiations. However, some key issues remain unresolved, reflecting the complexity and contention surrounding global efforts to address plastic pollution.
Key Challenges Remain Unresolved
Despite significant progress, certain critical articles continue to pose challenges:
- Article 3: Addressing plastic products and chemicals of concern.
- Article 6: Governing global production.
- Article 11: Outlining financing mechanisms.
In an effort to navigate these sticking points, the Chair organized informal consultations. Unfortunately for observers, these discussions were closed, leaving many in the dark about the progress or middle ground being explored.
The Waiting Game for Observers
Initially, the Chair planned to release the consolidated document at noon. As discussions stretched on, the release was postponed, first to 2 PM, and then finally to 3 PM. When the document was made available, observers quickly mobilized to analyze its content, scrutinizing potential loopholes and identifying areas that could benefit from further strengthening.
Encouragingly, much of the text was seen as solid and constructive. However, a lingering concern is whether countries with lower ambition will accept these provisions, potentially stalling progress.
A Quiet Evening of Uncertainty
Later in the evening, Heads of Delegation convened at 7 PM to discuss next steps. Observers, meanwhile, could only wait—caught in a frustrating limbo that has become emblematic of multilateral negotiations. The scene raises difficult questions about the efficacy of the current global system. How can humanity make meaningful progress when a few nations can impede consensus? And if the multilateral framework struggles to deliver, what viable alternatives exist? These are profound and pressing questions for which no clear answers have yet emerged.
Final Thoughts
Day 5 at INC-5 has been a day of both quiet reflection and simmering tension. The road to a global agreement on plastic pollution is fraught with challenges, but the commitment of participants to persevere underscores the importance of this work. As we await further developments, one thing remains clear: the world cannot afford to let this opportunity for collective action slip away. What alternative approaches can we explore to address the global plastic pollution crisis?
IISD coverage:
https://enb.iisd.org/plastic-pollution-marine-environment-negotiating-committee-inc5
