By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Geneva, Switzerland, 13 December 2025 — The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution concluded this week with a sober yet determined message from UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen: while negotiators did not achieve all their goals, momentum for a global plastics agreement remains strong.
Speaking at the close of the meeting, Andersen acknowledged the frustrations of delegates: “We did not get where we wanted, but people want a deal. This work will not stop, because plastic pollution will not stop.”
Her statement captures both the urgency of the global plastic crisis and the complexities inherent in crafting a legally binding treaty.
The INC, convened under the United Nations Environment Programme, has been tasked with drafting a comprehensive international agreement to tackle plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle—from production to disposal.
Delegates from more than 175 countries have been negotiating key provisions, including binding reduction targets, measures to curb single-use plastics, and strategies to promote circular economies.
Despite broad recognition of the environmental and human health hazards posed by plastics, progress at the Geneva talks was slower than many had hoped.
Divergent national interests—ranging from the economic importance of plastics in certain industries to the availability of recycling infrastructure—have complicated consensus.
Developing nations have repeatedly emphasized the need for financial and technical support to implement ambitious reduction targets, while some major plastic-producing countries have advocated for more flexible approaches.
Observers note that these tensions are typical in multilateral environmental negotiations, especially when discussions touch on trade, industrial policy, and sustainable development.
Andersen’s remarks suggest that while a final treaty remains elusive, the shared sense of urgency among nations provides a foundation for continued dialogue.
“Plastic pollution will not stop,” she said, emphasising the need for sustained political commitment.
Environmental groups welcomed Andersen’s stance but stressed the need for concrete action.
“The window to prevent irreversible damage is closing,” said a representative from a leading NGO. “Negotiations must translate into legally binding obligations, not just aspirational goals.”
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They highlighted mounting evidence of plastic pollution’s impacts—from microplastics in marine ecosystems to contamination of drinking water and soils—as proof that delay carries real-world costs.
The INC process will continue through 2025, with the aim of finalizing a treaty that is both ambitious and implementable.
Analysts expect subsequent sessions to tackle contentious issues such as accountability mechanisms, financing, and timelines for reducing single-use plastics.
For industry stakeholders, the ongoing negotiations signal both risk and opportunity.
Companies involved in packaging, consumer goods, and waste management are closely monitoring treaty developments, aware that future regulations could reshape production practices, supply chains, and product design standards.
Meanwhile, proponents of a circular economy see the treaty as a potential catalyst for innovation in reusable materials, biodegradable alternatives, and advanced recycling technologies.
Geneva’s talks underline a fundamental tension in global environmental governance: the need to reconcile diverse national priorities with the urgency of collective action.
While immediate results may be modest, Andersen’s insistence that work will continue reflects a broader consensus that delaying action is not an option.
The coming months will be critical for building the political will and technical frameworks necessary to move from negotiation to implementation.
In the INC’s second session has reinforced a central truth: addressing the global plastic crisis will require persistent diplomacy, multi-stakeholder cooperation, and a willingness to balance ambition with pragmatism.
As the world waits for a formal agreement, Andersen’s warning serves as both a caution and a call to action—the problem of plastic pollution is relentless, and so too must be the effort to contain it.
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