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.
As Day 4 of the INC-5 meeting unfolded, the urgency of the task ahead became ever more apparent. With the week at its midpoint, it was clear that progress needed to accelerate significantly to allow the legal drafting group sufficient time to refine the treaty text into a robust legal framework. Recognizing this, the Chair, in consultation with the Bureau, introduced a revised work plan: three parallel contact groups, all of which were tasked with concluding their discussions by the end of the day.
While this plan aimed to expedite progress, it presented distinct challenges for delegations with limited participants, a concern raised by several delegations. Unfortunately, such logistical issues occasionally served as a stalling tactic in discussions, as seen in Contact Group 1’s protracted deliberations on procedural acceptance. Nearly an hour passed before the group finally transitioned to substantive matters.
The Struggles of Defining Key Terms
The substantive discussions began with the essential, yet contentious, task of defining critical terms such as “plastics,” “plastic products,” “plastic pollution,” and “microplastics.” For scientists, definitions form the backbone of clarity and precision, but in the context of international negotiations, achieving consensus on wording can be a formidable challenge. Much like academic discourse, these debates often reveal deep-seated divergences, and in some cases, they serve as strategic delays.
In this instance, nearly three hours passed with little convergence on these foundational terms, underscoring the complexity of crafting language that satisfies all.
Tackling Articles 3 and 5: Brackets Galore
After the lunch break, co-facilitators shifted the focus to textual proposals for Article 3, which addresses chemicals of concern and problematic plastic products, and Article 5, which deals with product design. While this represented a step forward, the proposal for Article 5 was riddled with brackets—indicating areas of disagreement. Delegates continued to add more brackets during discussions, complicating the path to consensus. For Article 3, the co-facilitator focused on seeking views from each delegation.
Despite the slow pace on Article 3 and 5, progress was evident in other quarters. Notably, over 100 countries announced agreement on a draft text aimed at curbing global plastic production, marking a significant milestone in addressing plastic pollution at its source. This development offered a glimmer of hope amid the procedural hurdles.
A Race Against Time
As the evening session concluded earlier than usual, at around 9:00 PM, co-facilitators and Bureau members regrouped to strategize the path forward. With only three days remaining, the task of refining the draft into a legally sound text for final adoption loomed large. The pressure to resolve bracketed text and reconcile divergent views intensified as the clock continued to tick.
Day 4 at INC-5 underscored the formidable challenges of multilateral negotiations on a complex and urgent issue. Yet, it also revealed moments of progress and collective determination highlighted by the draft text on the global production of plastics supported by over 100 countries. As stakeholders move toward the final stages of drafting, the stakes remain high for delivering a treaty that can meaningfully address the plastic pollution crisis.
IISD coverage:
https://enb.iisd.org/plastic-pollution-marine-environment-negotiating-committee-inc5