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Africa: The Global Plastics Treaty Process Has Fallen Flat. Here's What Went Wrong, and How You Can Help
Negotiations failed as petrochemical-producing countries blocked key provisions to cap virgin plastic production, despite over 3,700 participants from 184 nations seeking a binding treaty.
- The meeting of the United Nations committee responsible for negotiating a global plastics treaty, held in Geneva in August 2025, ended without reaching a consensus.
- The stalemate arose due to opposition from leading petrochemical-producing nations, including the United States, China, India, Russia, and several Gulf States, who refused to agree to restrictions on plastic manufacturing and the use of hazardous additives.
- The draft treaty lost key provisions including global phase-outs of plastic bags and straws, transparency around additives, and protections for human health while still encouraging innovation and research without strong safeguards.
- Scientists highlighted that micro- and nanoplastics invade human bodies and warned that recycling alone is insufficient, urging consumers to reduce exposure and waste as manufacturers respond to public pressure.
- The treaty’s failure exposes governance challenges but reinforces calls for consumer action and suggests that a strong treaty remains a unique opportunity to effectively curb plastic pollution.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Plastic Treaty Deadlock Signals Trouble Ahead for COP30 in Brazil
Talks in Geneva between 184 countries failed this month to reach agreement on a binding treaty to reduce plastic pollution, according to the United Nations. After eleven days, oil and gas exporters and the United States opposed any limits on virgin plastic production and toxic additives, leaving negotiations at a standstill. This breakdown matters because […]
INC-5.2, that is, the plastic treaty that was concluded last week in Geneva, has been closed as a little disappointing, as no text was adopted that would serve as a basis for future negotiations and no clear plans had been drawn up that would allow the conclusion of a treaty.This means that it is up to the Member States to assume the responsibility of justifying the necessary continuation of the completion of a plastic route and of seeking a tre…
Africa: The Global Plastics Treaty Process Has Fallen Flat. Here's What Went Wrong, and How You Can Help
Analysis - Progress towards a legally binding global treaty on plastics pollution stalled and went into reverse this week. The United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, ran overtime. It's likely to conclude this evening, without agreement.
The recent failure of negotiations on a plastics reduction treaty is bad news for cities like Lagos. Nigeria's economic center is considered one of the most plastic-polluted cities in the world. Authorities have taken a radical step: banning single-use plastic items.
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