Opening session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on the Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution

In his opening remarks, Mr. Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, emphasized: "Without substantial intervention, the annual amount of plastic waste entering the environment is projected to nearly double by 2040 compared to 2022." He expressed confidence that INC-5 would successfully finalize the global agreement.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a message to the conference, called on nations to unite and complete the negotiation process. He highlighted: "Achieving the Agreement sends a powerful message of hope and courage that we stand united and can overcome any challenge."

Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating that increased plastic production exacerbates the climate crisis. She stressed humanity’s historic opportunity to end the global plastic pollution crisis, protect the environment and public health, and secure the future. Andersen urged nations to unite in achieving the agreement and advancing toward a plastic-free future.

Mr. Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution

Emphasizing the significance of the conference, Mr. Kim Wansup, South Korea’s Minister of Environment, said: "The health of the planet and future generations depends on what nations achieve. We must end plastic pollution before it ends us."

He called for a spirit of compromise and flexibility among nations to find common ground in negotiations and finalize the agreement in Busan.

However, developments following the opening session revealed significant work ahead for the Negotiating Committee and participating countries to bridge differences. Key points of contention include reducing virgin polymer production, controlling hazardous chemicals in plastic products, financial mechanisms, and defining national responsibilities once the agreement takes effect. The opening session extended longer than expected, with direct discussions on the agreement's text beginning at 7:30 PM and concluding around midnight.

INC-5 will continue deliberations on the agreement's content until December 1, 2024, with participation from over 3,800 delegates representing 175 countries and more than 600 organizations.

Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme

To date, four INC negotiation sessions have been held: in Uruguay (2022), France and Kenya (2023), and Canada (April 2024). Notably, the INC-4 conference, held from April 21 to April 30, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, marked the first time nations discussed the agreement’s content based on the "Zero Draft" released by the Secretariat in September 2023.

The Vietnamese delegation to INC-5 includes representatives from the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Justice, Finance, and Agriculture and Rural Development. The delegation actively participated in discussions during the opening session and subsequent negotiation meetings, including working group discussions on compliance and national action plans (Working Group 4), plastic emissions and disposal, and waste management (Working Group 2).

Ngoc Huyen (NRE Newspaper)