The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the international treaty on plastic pollution will hold the second part of its fifth negotiation round (INC-5.2) from August 5 to 14, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The objective remains the same: to finalize a legally binding global agreement to combat plastic pollution.
Originally, INC-5, convened in Busan, South Korea, at the end of 2024, was expected to conclude this crucial phase of negotiations. However, resistance from a coalition of producer countries—often referred to as the “like-minded group,” which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia—led to the extension of talks.
Adding complexity to the negotiations is the political shift in the United States, with the new Trump administration reportedly skeptical of binding environmental treaties and international measures aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
Despite these challenges, the INC remains committed to advancing the treaty process, recognizing the urgent need for coordinated global action to address the escalating plastic pollution crisis.
Official Source
UN Environment Programme – INC Plastic Pollution Session 5.2