Deep divisions persist as plastics treaty talks restart at informal meeting

The treaty process began in February 2022 and was thrown into turmoil in the second half of last year.

“Editing:Helen Popper Officials from about 20 countries met informally in Japan this week in a bid to bridge major differences in talks on a global treaty to curb plastic pollution, eight months after the last round of negotiationscollapsed without agreement”

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Negotiators left what was meant to be the last round in Geneva in August with no agreement after a chaotic night.

Climate Home News

Two months later the chair, Ecuadorean diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, stepped down.

The UN Environment Programme has been working to steer the process back on track and veteran Chilean ambassador Julio Cordano was elected chair during a one-day session in early February.

In a letter Cordano acknowledged the task was "hard and complex" and said establishing a global treaty was "not only achievable, but also urgently needed."

Andrés Del Castillo of the Center for International Environmental Law urged transparency and inclusivity, noting only a handful of countries — including "some of the biggest blockers" — attended Japan's restricted meeting while others championing stronger action were left out.

After Tokyo, all countries are set to exchange views in an online meeting hosted by Cordano on March 12.

Diplomats told Climate Home News it is unlikely formal negotiations will reconvene in the first half of 2026 unless countries produce a significant shift in positions.