Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations at INC-5.2 End Without Agreement — The Work Continues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2025
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Global Plastics Treaty Ends Without Agreement — The Work Continues
Geneva, Switzerland (August 15, 2025) – The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) has ended without an agreement on a Global Plastics Treaty. Finishing the session without a treaty, again, can be disappointing, but for the communities most impacted by the plastics crisis, it is more important to get the treaty text right, instead of locking us into a weak text that prioritizes industrial and financial interests. Despite the outcome, Azul remains encouraged by a notable shift in discourse during these talks — one that increasingly centers human rights as integral to addressing plastic pollution.
In response to the conclusion of INC-5.2, Azul’s Founder and Executive Director and Head of Delegation, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, released the following statement:
“Even without a treaty, these negotiations have made it clear: people understand that plastic pollution is a human rights issue, not just an ocean issue that can be addressed through waste management. Unfortunately, a small contingent of voices with vested interests is still pushing to treat it as a waste management problem, despite UNEA 5/14’s mandate to address the full life-cycle of plastics. As an ocean justice organization, we have been firm in confirming that plastic pollution is far more than an ocean problem. By the time plastic becomes marine litter, it has already left a trail of destruction through communities – from toxic air emissions in fenceline communities to microplastics in our food and water.”
During the final plenary session of INC-5.2, a number of GRULAC Member States showed their support for working towards a strong, legally binding treaty.
“While INC-5.2 failed to complete a treaty fit for purpose to our communities, we continue to celebrate the bold leadership shown by GRULAC Member States, particularly Panama, Mexico, and Colombia, whose proposals consistently pushed for strong, binding measures and centered on human rights, public health, and just financial mechanisms. Their commitment is a model for others to follow,” said Gutiérrez-Graudiņš.
Throughout the process, operational and procedural shortcomings continued to hinder civil society participation. While it’s important to acknowledge the creation and existence of official channels for engagement, such as observer meetings, these mechanisms were insufficient to ensure meaningful, timely, and equitable input.
The absence of a treaty this week does not mean the end of the fight. It means we must double down – mobilizing governments, advocates, and communities to demand a truly just, binding, and comprehensive agreement that eliminates plastic pollution at its source.
Find Azul’s proposals, memorandum, and more updates from INC-5.2 on our website: bit.ly/AzulAtINC52
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Azul is an ocean justice organization working with grassroots Latino communities to protect our blue planet. Founded in 2011, Azul has developed –and executed– campaigns that achieved groundbreaking ocean conservation policy victories.