The urgency of tackling plastic pollution was highlighted once again at the recent negotiations in Busan, South Korea, where delegates from around the world gathered to try to conclude an international treaty to take concrete action on this global crisis. Unfortunately, the goal of finalizing the agreement by the end of 2024 was not met, leaving some stakeholders unsatisfied.
For some delegates, particularly those from Africa, the envisaged treaty had become too diluted to be truly effective. However, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran refused to change the text. This resulted in an impasse and negotiators agreed to resume talks next year.
Negotiating Committee Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso stressed that significant progress had been made in Busan in the fight against plastic pollution, but that the work was far from finished. “We must remain pragmatic and continue to work together towards our common goal,” he said.
Yet time is running out. Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, INC Executive Secretary, warned of the consequences of continued inaction. “We have already pushed our planet to its limits. It is time to push beyond ours and honour the trust placed in us,” she said, calling for decisive action to reach a binding agreement.
As of 2022, 175 nations committed to developing the treaty, recognizing the seriousness of the problem and its devastating environmental consequences. Each year, the world’s population produces more than 400 million tonnes of plastic, creating an unsustainable burden on the planet. Communities, waterways and agricultural lands are overwhelmed by plastic waste that threatens biodiversity and public health.
It is now imperative that countries around the world come together and take decisive action to combat plastic pollution. The time for inaction is over, and the planet can no longer wait. Each of us has a role to play in preserving our environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.