Fiasco of the plastic treaty negotiations in Geneva
Another round of talks on a global agreement to reduce plastic pollution has failed. Delegates from more than 180 countries failed to reach agreement on the final shape of the so-called Plastic Treaty. UN countries are, however, expected to return to the negotiating table. When? It is not known.
Lack of unanimity and deep divisions the results of the latest round of plastic treaty negotiations
A summit was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5-13 August 2025, during which the Representatives of almost all UN states were to conclude negotiations on the so-called 'Plastics Treaty' - global agreement to reduce plastic pollution. The INC-5.2 session, however, did not result in a breakthrough, and the national delegates present remained deeply divided, and not only on how to address the plastic pollution crisis, but also on the legitimacy of establishing regulations at the international level.
The August summit, held at the United Nations headquarters, was attended by more than 180 national delegations. More than 100 of them clearly supported the introduction of limits on the production of plasticswhich would be binding on all UN countries. Many delegates also urged action to eliminate or at least reduce the use of toxic chemicals that are present in the composition of some plastics. Unanimity was not achieved on any of these aspects - such radical demands were met with opposition from countries whose economies rely heavily on oil and gas production.
After the talks broke down, the negotiating committee stated that the session was only adjourned, not terminated, and work on the treaty will continue in the future. UN states must, however, "work to find a date and place" where talks can resume.
Why was no agreement reached? Conflicting interests of states and lobbyists at the Geneva summit
As originally envisaged, The plastics treaty was to address the entire life cycle of plastics, with a particular focus on reducing their production. During the negotiations, however, major oil-producing countries (including Saudi Arabia and Russia) sought to marginalise potential restrictions and bans and redirect attention to recycling, reuse and eco-design plastic products. As estimated by the organisation CIEL (Center for International Enviromental Law), during the last round of negotiations in Geneva a minimum of 234 lobbyists from the chemical and fossil fuel industries turned up. Their numbers exceeded that of the delegations of all EU Member States combined. 19 lobbyists also secured seats in the national delegations of Egypt, Kazakhstan, China, Iran, Chile and the Dominican Republic, among others.
The strong representation of the petrochemical lobby was one of the key factors that led to the failure of the talks. As Colombia's Delegate Sebastián Rodríguez said:
"Negotiations have been consistently blocked by a small number of countries that simply do not want an agreement."
The chair of the negotiating committee, Vayas Valdivieso, presented two drafts of the treaty text to delegations, but neither met with acceptance. Countries seeking to impose limits on plastic production argued that the proposed content of the treaty has been significantly watered down and now deviates from the original intentions. Indeed, the draft did not include provisions on the need to reduce the production of plastics, but only described current levels of plastic production as 'unsustainable'. Although most of the rejectionist countries' demands were taken on board, their representatives did not accept the draft treaty either. In their case, the bone of contention was the aforementioned word 'unsustainable' used in the context of plastic production levels. This nomenclature was vociferously opposed by negotiators from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, considering it to be beyond the intended scope of the treaty.
Read also: Will the US support a plastics treaty?
International disappointment after talks over plastics treaty broke down
The Geneva meeting was to be the last round of international negotiations held since 2022. Many governments and NGOs hoped to build a consensus to curb plastic pollutionmainly by imposing restrictions on the production of plastics. Faced with the failure of the talks, many national delegations did not hide their indignation.
French Minister for the Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, said she was "disappointed" and "irritated" that several countries driven by "short-term financial gains" had blocked the adoption of the landmark treaty. France, other EU countries and more than 100 countries from all continents had "done everything in their power" to reach an agreement on the issues of reducing plastic production, banning hazardous substances and protecting human health, she added.
In a similar vein were statements from representatives of international organisations. Sarah Baulch, senior official at the Pew Charitable Trusts said:
By failing to meet yet another deadline related to the escalating plastic pollution crisis, countries are putting people's health and the planet at risk.
In contrast, a slightly more balanced position was taken by the Chinese delegation. According to the representatives of the Middle Kingdom, The fight against plastic pollution is a long and gruelling marathon, and the temporary difficulties in reaching an agreement should be a prelude to the next round of talks. China has called on all countries to work together to leave future generations with a planet free of plastic pollution.
Sources:
- Paddison, Global plastic treaty talks end in failure as countries remain bitterly divided over how to tackle the crisis, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/15/climate/global-plastics-treaty-pollution-failure-un
- The Guardian, Plastic pollution talks fail as negotiators in Geneva reject draft treaties, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/15/plastic-pollution-talks-geneva-treaty