Busan: The European Commission has embarked on critical negotiations in Busan, Republic of Korea, aiming to finalize the Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5) by 1 December. The Commission, alongside G20 partners, is focused on establishing a comprehensive global instrument to tackle plastic pollution, with the EU committed to concluding these negotiations by the year’s end.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the EU’s priorities for the treaty include addressing the excessive production of primary plastic polymers, banning intentionally added microplastics in products, and structuring the new treaty to tackle plastic production comprehensively. The EU also advocates for the ‘polluter pays’ principle, proposing that major producers bear financial responsibility for plastic pollution.
The EU stresses the importance of legally binding global measures, while acknowledging the need to consider national circumstances and ensure a just transition. This initiative aligns with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, marking a
key priority in the EU’s sustainable development strategy.
Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefcovic, highlighted the urgency of coordinated global policies to alter plastic production and consumption patterns for environmental and public health benefits. He emphasized the EU’s readiness to collaborate with other parties to establish a global treaty by the end of the year.
In line with this commitment, the EU is actively participating in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, a group of 65 countries dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution by 2040. The coalition aims to mobilize global support to finalize the treaty, reinforcing the EU’s leadership role in global environmental governance.