“These have been 10 days in the context of geopolitical complexities, economic challenges and multilateral strains,” said Uner Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program (UNEP). “However, one thing remains clear: despite these complexities, all countries clearly want to remain on the table.”
‘Deep of repentance’: Guterres
In response to the news of the lack of agreement, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, said: “I deeply regret that, despite the sincere efforts, the negotiations to reach a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, even in the marine environment, concluded without achieving a consensus.
“I appreciate the determination of the Member States to continue working to overcome plastic pollution and continue involved in the processUnited in purpose, deliver the treaty that the world needs to address this monumental challenge for people and the environment. “
The search for consensus continues
In statements to the media at the end of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) in the UN in the Swiss city, Mrs. Andersen emphasized how Member States had expressed a clear desire to continue participating in the process, recognizing their significant differences with respect to plastic pollution.
“While we do not land the text of the treaty that we expected, in the UNEP we will continue the work against plastic pollution, the pollution that is in our groundwater, in our soil, in our rivers, in our oceans and yes, in our bodies”, “,”, “,”. She said.
View of the world
“People demand a treaty,” continued the head of the UN Agency, before underlining the arduous work that is coming to maintain the necessary impulse to initiate a binding international agreement.
Delegates of 183 nations attesting to the power of call and the importance of the proposed agreement, with some representatives of the Pacific Island, completed with dazzling fresh flowers in the hair, rubbing shoulders with other participants, drained by the last negotiation session of the whole night.
The fifth session of the resumed conversations, called INC-5.2, after the previous conversations in Busan known as INC-5.1, brought together more than 2,600 participants in the UN nations of the UN Palais des Nations. In addition to the approximately 1,400 delegates from countries, there were about 1,000 observers representing at least 400 organizations.
NGO Voices Listened
The session also involved the active participation of civil society, including indigenous peoples, waste collectors, artists, youth and scientists. They raised their voices through protests, art facilities, press information and events in and around the Palace of the Nations.
The objective of the negotiations was to agree on a text for the legally binding instrument to put an end to plastic pollution “and highlight unresolved issues that require a greater preparatory work before a diplomatic conference,” said UNP.
In addition to the meetings together in the vast assembly room of the UN Geneva, four contact groups were created to address key problems that include plastic design, chemicals of concern, production limits, finance and compliance instruments.
Despite the “intensive commitment”, the members of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee could not achieve consensus on the proposed texts, the UNEP explained.
Chair action call
“Not achieving the objective we establish for ourselves can bring sadness, even frustration. However, it should not lead to discouragement. On the contrary, we should stimulate us to recover our energy, renew our commitments and unite our aspirations,” said the president of INC, Luis Vayas Valdivieso.
“It has not yet happened in Geneva, but I have no doubt that the day will come when the international community will unite its will and link their hands to protect our environment and safeguard the health of our people.”
The INC process began in March 2022 when the UN Environment Assembly approved Resolution 5.2 to develop a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, even in the marine environment.
“As this session concludes, we let ourselves understand the challenges ahead and a renewed and shared commitment to address them,” said Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, executive secretary of the Secretariat of Inc. “Progress now must be our obligation.”