Azul Updates from the Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for a Plastics Treaty
Azul is in Busan, South Korea, joining 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), which is scheduled to take place from 25 November to 1 December 2024 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center.
Below is a round-up of materials and resources Azul has published around INC-5.
Azul’s Delegation at INC-5
Azul’s grassroots delegation, inclusive of the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņŝ, and Senior Policy Associate, Roland González Pizarro, will join observers from more than 175 countries at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), which kicks off November 25 through December 1.
• Read press release in English: U.S. Ocean Justice Organization, Azul, at INC-5 for Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations
• Lea el comunicado de prensa en Español: Organización de Justicia Oceánica de Estados Unidos, Azul, Participa en las Negociaciones del Tratado Mundial sobre Plásticos INC-5
[Statement: December 2, 2024] Negotiations to develop an ambitious, legally binding plastics treaty continue; bold leadership from Latin American countries lead the way
After 7 days of negotiations in Busan and a total of 5 rounds of negotiations over 2 years, 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), concluded its work without delivering a final text of the plastics treaty and instead announced the work would continue during a resumed series at INC 5.2.
• Read full statement: Negotiations to develop an ambitious, legally binding plastics treaty continue; bold leadership from Latin American countries lead the way
• Lea el comunicado de prensa en Español: Continúan las negociaciones para elaborar un tratado de plásticos ambicioso y jurídicamente vinculante; los países latinoamericanos abren el camino con un liderazgo ambicioso
[Analysis: November 29, 2024] Azul’s Initial Analysis on Non-Paper Containing Draft Text from the Chair of INC-5
Following the Chair’s publication of the Non-Paper 4.0 Containing Draft Text from the Chair of INC-5, Azul has reviewed and released an initial analysis of the draft of the text.
Currently, the proposed financing mechanisms could raise concerns about equity, transparency, and effectiveness.
• Analysis: Azul’s Initial Analysis on Non-Paper Containing Draft Text from the Chair of INC-5
[Policy Brief: November 29, 2024] Ensuring Equity and Transparency in Financing Mechanisms in Plastics Treaty at INC-5
As 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), works to finalize the text of the Treaty, Azul’s policy brief highlights critical considerations for the Treaty’s financing mechanisms.
Azul’s recommendations focus on ensuring equity, transparency, and accountability in financing mechanisms to support the Treaty’s objectives, particularly for countries in the Global South most impacted by plastic pollution.
[Fact Sheet: November 28, 2024] Latino voters in the U.S. and the Plastics Treaty
In July, Azul released findings from the 2024 National Azul Poll: Latinos and the Ocean, the second-ever nationwide poll on U.S. Latino voter viewpoints on ocean protection, policies and recreation, including the topic of plastic pollution and a legally binding Plastics Treaty.
The results showed that regardless of political ideologies, geographic regions, and countries of origin, Latino voters in the U.S. strongly support government action against plastic pollution and support a legally binding global Plastics Treaty, even if that means the U.S. must follow difficult and expensive rules.
• [FACT SHEET] Republican Latino Voters and the 2024 National Azul Poll: Latino voters want bold action on plastics & Global Plastics Treaty
• [FACT SHEET] Central American Voters and the 2024 National Azul Poll: Latino voters want bold action on plastics & Global Plastics Treaty
• [FACT SHEET] Mexican voters and the 2024 National Azul Poll: Latino voters want bold action on plastics & Global Plastics Treaty
• [FACT SHEET] 2024 National Azul Poll: Latino voters want bold action on plastics & Global Plastics Treaty
[Lanugage Suggestions: November 27, 2024] Azul Submits Treaty Language on Financing Mechanisms for Legally Binding Plastics Treaty
As we move towards the conclusion of INC-5 and the implementation of the treaty, equitable financing mechanisms will be paramount to ensuring Parties can meet their treaty obligations, allowing the treaty to realize its full potential in implementation.
At INC-5, Azul submitted treaty language suggestions on financing mechanisms that ensure the treaty includes financial flows from Developed Countries to Developing Countries based on public funding commitments.
• Download Azul’s Treaty Language Suggestions Submitted at INC-5 on Financing Mechanisms for Legally Binding Plastics Treaty
• Descargue el lenguaje propuesto por Azul en el INC-5 sobre mecanismos de financiación para un tratado de plásticos jurídicamente vinculante
[Statement: November 26, 2024] Azul Statement on Participation Conditions at the Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for a Plastics Treaty
After the 1st day of negotiations, the INC Secretariat issued a communication to all INC-5 attendees regarding “seating arrangements in contact group rooms.” The communication shared that due to the limited seating in some meeting rooms, observer access would be limited to a “first-come-first-serve basis.”
Azul issued a statement expressing our disappointment at the participation conditions for observers at INC-5. In our statement, we noted that UNEP’s own 2021 report repeatedly highlights the importance of meaningful engagement to achieve environmental justice.
“The right to information and public participation is crucial to achieving environmental justice,” said Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš. “It’s discouraging to see the logistical failures that are resulting in inequitable participation for all parties involved, especially considering these types of systemic issues are ripe for the propagation of environmental injustices at all levels.”
• Read the full statement in English: Azul Statement on Participation Conditions at the Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for a Plastics Treaty
• Lea el comunicado completo en español: Declaración de Azul sobre las Condiciones para Participar en la quinta ronda de negociaciones del Quinto Comité Intergubernamental de Negociación (INC-5) para un Tratado de Plásticos
[Policy Brief: November 25, 2024] Addressing Plastics from Bottled Water: Towards a Global Governance Framework – Raul Pacheco-Vega, PhD
Ahead 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), Azul partnered with Raul Pacheco-Vega, PhD, a leading expert in environmental policy and public policy on water management and solid waste management and professor at the Laboratory of Methodology of the Latin American School of Social Sciences (FLACSO) in Mexico, on a policy brief focused on the critical importance of the governance of bottled water to reduce plastic pollution and guarantee access to clean water as a basic human right.
• [POLICY BRIEF] Addressing Plastics from Bottled Water: Towards a Global Governance Framework
• [INFORME DE POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS] Lidiando con Plástico Proveniente del Agua Embotellada: Hacia un Marco de Gobernanza Global
[Brief: November 25, 2024] INC-5 Language Suggestions Submitted by Azul
During INC-5, Azul presented and submitted language suggestions on seven crucial elements of the Treaty, including language suggestions on Article 11 regarding “Finance, Including The Establishment Of A Financial Mechanism,” a standalone obligation on trade, and a standalone provision on fishing gear, among other articles and provisions.
• Download Azul’s INC-5 Language Proposal
[Statement: November 25, 2024] Azul’s Intervention at GRULAC
On the second day of INC-5, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš delivered an intervention to GRULAC, Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting how the language of the Treaty disproportionately affects the Global South.
In her statement, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš noted that while the Treaty sets ambitious global goals for eliminating plastic pollution, the current language is often ambiguous and non-binding. This presents a significant challenge for countries in the Global South—countries that already face severe economic, social, and environmental challenges.
• Download Azul’s Intervention at GRULAC
📹 Video Updates from INC-5
[November 24, 2024] On our way to INC-5
Ahead of the start of negotiations, we talked about INC-5 and how we got here. What is INC-5? ¿¿Y eso con qué se come?? Melisa Rodriguez, Digital Engagement Coordinator at Azul has the details!
[November 25, 2024] Start of INC-5
On the first day of INC-5, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš shared why Azul has been joining and participating in these global #PlasticsTreaty talks since the start.
[November 26, 2024] Day 2 at INC-5
On the second day of INC-5, observer access at INC-5 was restricted due to inadequate room capacity, resulting in inequitable participation for all parties involved. Roland Gonzalez Pizarro has the details on this and more.
[November 27, 2024] Day 3 at INC-5
Day 3 Update at INC-5: We are about halfway through the Plastics Treaty negotiations, and little progress has been made on actual textual negotiations. Roland González Pizarro, Azul’s Senior Policy Associate, takes us through all the high and low points of the day.
[November 29, 2024] Day 5 at INC-5
There are only 36 hours left of scheduled negotiations to secure a global treaty that can end plastic pollution. We need a strong and ambitious treaty that protects our health and human rights.
[November 30, 2024] Day 6 at INC-5
Sooo, who pays for all this? Day 6 Update from INC-5: Today, we’re talking about Financing Mechanisms in Article 11 of the draft text of the Plastics Treaty. Without equitable financing mechanisms, there is no treaty for the people.
[December 1, 2024] Day 7 an INC-5
Today, December 1, marks the last scheduled day of INC-5. As we approach the final hours of INC-5, often stretching late into the night, one thing is clear: there is no treaty for the people without an equitable financing mechanism in Article 11.
We’re in the ⏰FINAL⏰ hours of #PlasticsTreaty negotiations at #INC5 & we need you to take action to let your member of Congress know we need a strong and ambitious plastics treaty with an equitable financing mechanism. 🌊Take Action: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
[December 2, 2024] Update from the Closing Plenary at INC-5
Check out our latest update: #INC5 is over, and if you’re asking yourself, “Where’s the #PlasticsTreaty??” Well, *insert dramatic Telenovela pause* we’re not quite there yet. 😔 As frustrating as it is to not have the treaty finalized right now, it’s better to keep pushing for an ambitious, legally binding treaty – one that includes equitable and mandatory financing mechanisms. Marce shared the details straight from outside the plenary session at #INC5, where discussions ran late into the night on Sunday.
Plenary Session Highlights
[November 27, 2024] Second Plenary Session during INC-5
Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, Head of Delegation for Panama🇵🇦, with a strong and necessary reminder during plenary session on the third day of #INC5.
Camila Zepeda, Head of Delegation for Mexico 🇲🇽 at #INC5 shared a clear message on the third day of #PlasticsTreaty talks
[December 1, 2024] Closing Plenary at INC-5
“Without clear and legally binding rules… it would be a treaty in name only.” México🇲🇽 Head of Delegation Camila Zepeda with a strong message on behalf of 94 countries calling for decisive action and legally binding rules.
Panama’s Head of Delegation, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, delivered a powerful message at the #PlasticsTreaty closing plenary at #INC5: “Every day of delay is a day against humanity. Postponing the negotiations does not postpone the crisis.”
Interviews from INC-5
Maria Soledad Mella Vidal, International Alliance of Waste Pickers
During INC-5, Maria Soledad Mella Vidal, an advocate from Chile and spokesperson with the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, shared with us her vision for the plastics treaty: “We want a just transition that allows grassroots recyclers who today work inhumanely inside landfills to have dignified conditions, real and concrete funding, infrastructure, machinery and logistics for plastic waste management.”
Cecilia Bianco, Taller Ecologista and IPEN
During the fifth round of negotiations for a global plastics treaty, we had the pleasure of speaking with Cecilia Bianco, Toxic Area Coordinator at Taller Ecologista & IPEN! She shared her key demands for an effective and just treaty that addresses the root of the plastics crisis and how we can push for meaningful change together.
Complementary Materials
[November 19, 2024] Azul Submits Input for “Oceans and Human Rights” Thematic Report for the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council March Session
To inform the thematic report regarding “Oceans and Human Rights” to be presented to the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in 2025, the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment opened a call for input on this report this fall. In October 2024, Azul submitted input to the report that touched on all five questions posed by the Special Rapporteur. Azul’s input, authored by Roland Gonzalez Pizarro.
• Azul’s Input for UN Human Rights Council March Session “Oceans and Human Rights” Thematic Report
[2021 Report] NEGLECTED: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution
In 2021, a report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Azul highlighted the impact of plastic pollution on already vulnerable populations around the world, depriving them of their basic human rights, health, and well-being. The report, Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution, demonstrates how the entire life cycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities and poses obstacles to the full and timely achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.)
• English: NEGLECTED: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution
• Español: EN ESTADO DE NEGLIGENCIA: El impacto de la basura marina y la contaminación por plásticos en la justicia ambiental
• Read the press release from UNEP
• Read the press release from Azul in English
• Lee el comunicado de prense de Azul en Español
• Videos in English, Spanish, and French
• Reels in English, Spanish, and French
• Infographic: Plastic Pollution Impact on SDGs – Azul infographic
• Gráfico informativo: La contaminación por plásticos obstaculiza el logro de los 17 ODS