Context:

The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), which took place from November 25 to December 1 in Busan, South Korea, concluded with countries failing to reach an agreement on a Global Treaty to address Plastic Pollution. 

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• The gathering, attended by delegates from nearly 170 countries, highlighted wide disagreement among blocs of countries over the scope of the treaty, including capping plastic production, managing plastic products and chemicals of concern, and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty. 
• Although this was intended to be the final round of negotiations, countries agreed to continue discussions in 2025 in a follow-up session tentatively named INC-5.2. 

Key Points of Disagreement

• The most contentious issue was whether the treaty should have targets for the reduction of virgin plastic polymer production. 
• Some delegates, including those from Kuwait, expressed concerns that the treaty’s scope was being extended beyond plastic pollution to include trade and economic issues. 
• Countries like Saudi Arabia and India, reliant on petrochemical industries, opposed setting targets to cut polymer production, arguing it would harm their economies. 
• In contrast, the European Union and other countries called for a treaty that tackles the entire lifecycle of plastic, including production.

India’s Stance

• India called for a balance between addressing plastic pollution and ensuring sustainable development, especially for developing economies. 
• It reiterated its belief in consensus-based decision-making, stressing that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,".
• It urged the Chair to ensure that member states’ views are adequately reflected in future negotiations and highlighted its unwavering commitment to a fair, inclusive, and transparent process moving forward.

About Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)

• In March 2022, the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) adopted resolution 5/14, establishing the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution. 
• The treaty aims to address critical areas such as plastic production, design, trade, waste management, extended producer responsibility, and just transition, alongside provisions for financial, technological, and capacity-building mechanisms.
• The resolution aimed to finalize the treaty by the end of 2024, but delegates, disappointed by the lack of progress, agreed to resume talks as INC-5.2 in 2025.
• The first session of the INC (INC-1) took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, followed by the second session (INC-2) in Paris, France, and the third session (INC-3) in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The fourth session (INC-4) took place in Ottawa, Canada, from 23 to 29 April 2024.