Countries negotiating a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution concluded their fifth session without finalization of a treaty. 

• The Treaty being negotiated, has been mandated by a 2022 UN Environment Assembly resolution.
  • It seeks to addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal.

Factors leading to non-finalization of treaty

• Production Capping: Demand for production cap goals by European union, Latin American and African countries was opposed by countries including India and China.
• Unclear definition: Lack of clear language on elimination of certain plastic chemicals and products.
  • Draft text clearly defined plastic and plastic products but did not reflect definitions of microplastics, nanoplastics, primary plastic polymers, and recycling.

India’s stance

• Impact on Development: India stated its inability to support any measures to regulate the production of primary plastic polymers as it could impact development rights of nations.
• Defining Scope: Scope of instrument should be limited to addressing plastic pollution only without overlapping with the mandate of other multilateral environmental agreements.
• Phase out period: India did not support inclusion of any list with phase out dates, at this stage.
• Assistance: Due consideration to national circumstances and capabilities should be given and provision of financial and technical assistance, including technology transfer to developing countries, should be included.