Azul Participates in Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations at INC-5.2 in Geneva
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Azul Participates in Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations at INC-5.2 in Geneva
Ocean justice organization brings community-rooted policy solutions to international forum on plastic pollution
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (August 5, 2025) — Azul, an ocean justice organization working with Latino communities to protect coastal and marine ecosystems, will participate as civil society observers in the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.2) taking place August 5–14 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Azul’s participation builds on years of advocacy to center environmental justice and community-driven solutions in global ocean policy. In 2018, Azul’s founder and Executive Director, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, participated in the 2nd Meeting of the Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics held in Geneva. Ahead of INC-5.2, the organization recently released A Just Plastics Treaty: By Communities, for Communities — Supply Cuts, Fair Finance, Shared Technology, Local Power, a detailed policy proposal offering treaty-ready language grounded in science, human rights, and lived experience.
“INC-5.2 presents an opportunity to finalize a just plastics treaty, but to do so, it’s essential that communities who are most impacted by plastic pollution have a real seat at the table,” said Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš. “Latin American countries have demonstrated remarkable leadership to ensure that ocean justice is at the heart of this treaty process, and that any global agreement reflects solutions designed by communities, for communities. Azul is proud to support and continue playing a meaningful role in that leadership by bringing community-rooted solutions to the global stage.”
Azul has maintained a strong presence throughout all phases of the treaty negotiation process, alongside Latin American delegations and allies to promote bold, equity-centered policy commitments. In 2021, Azul authored the first-of-its-kind UNEP report identifying marine litter and plastic pollution as environmental justice issues, highlighting how marginalized communities disproportionately bear the burdens of plastic across its entire lifecycle.
In its recent policy proposal, Azul continues to advocate for supply-side measures to curb the production of plastic, alongside provisions that ensure fair financing, accessible technology, and local decision-making power.
“We’re here in Geneva to push for a treaty that not only curbs the problems caused by the plastics crisis, but also uplifts the rights, health, and livelihoods of communities around the world in need of ocean justice,” said Gutiérrez-Graudiņš. “We’re also here to demonstrate that Latinos throughout the Americas have a vital role to play in shaping global solutions—our voices, leadership, and lived experience are essential to building a just and resilient ocean future.”
For more information on Azul’s policy proposal and its role at INC-5.2, visit www.azul.org
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About Azul
Azul is an ocean justice organization working with Latino communities to protect our blue planet. Founded in 2011, Azul has developed and executed campaigns that achieved groundbreaking ocean conservation policy victories at local, national, and international levels. To learn more, visit: Azul.org