BUSAN – Today, during the final plenary for the fifth round of United Nations negotiations (INC-5) for an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, commonly known as the “global plastics treaty,” it was decided that INC-5 would not be the final round of negotiations as initially intended but that one more round, referred to as INC-5.2. The location and date of INC 5.2 are still being decided.

In response, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation, Ocean Plastics, Nicholas Mallos, said, “With over a garbage truck’s worth of plastics entering the ocean each minute, every second counts in addressing the ocean plastic pollution crisis, and we are disappointed that the finalization of the plastics treaty has been delayed. At the same time, Ocean Conservancy remains determined to use this extension as an opportunity to continue fighting for a strong and ambitious treaty that rises to the occasion and meets the plastic pollution crisis with the urgency it demands. We are grateful to high-ambition countries like Panama and others for pushing to keep these negotiations on track, and we look forward to working with member states to finalize a plastics treaty at INC 5.2.”

With the next round of negotiations happening under a new presidential administration, Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Plastics Policy, Dr. Anja Brandon, said, “Addressing plastic pollution is not a partisan issue – 78% of Americans think plastic entering the ocean is a pressing issue. We hope that any administration will respect the will of the people and recognize the responsibility and opportunity for the U.S. to be part of the solution.”

As an official U.N. observer organization, Ocean Conservancy experts have been deeply involved throughout the negotiation process to develop the plastics treaty. Ocean Conservancy’s five priorities for the treaty are to secure plastics source reduction; address lost or abandoned plastic fishing and aquaculture gear, also known as ghost gear; address microplastics, both those that are intentionally created small like cosmetic beads as well as those that break down from larger plastics; incorporate measures to incentivize designing plastics for reuse and recyclability; and recognize the informal waste collection sector as a critical voice.

To set up an interview with one of Ocean Conservancy’s plastics treaty experts, please contact Roya Fox at [email protected] or 202.280.6285.

Ocean Conservancy’s five priorities for the plastics treaty are outlined HERE.

Ocean Conservancy’s response to the U.S. support for reducing plastic production is HERE.

Ocean Conservancy’s call to reduce single-use plastics by at least 50% is HERE.

You can find a fact sheet about ghost gear HERE.

Photos and b-roll of plastic pollution courtesy of Ocean Conservancy can be found HERE.

###

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.