INC

The final round of negotiations is about to resume in Geneva: Will governments deliver a global agreement to end plastic pollution?

Posted on: 4 August 2025

UN negotiations resume this week in Geneva in what may be the final chance to agree a global plastics treaty. Previous rounds have been marked by deep divisions and...

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Reflecting on the 4th negotiations, brackets, and how we ‘Bridge to Busan’

Posted on: 15 May 2024

With only seven days of official negotiations remaining to develop a Global Plastics Treaty by the end of 2024, both member states and observer delegations are concerned about whether...

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INC-4 concludes with late night crisis talks delivering a mandate for intersessional work but at a significant cost

Posted on: 1 May 2024

The fourth round of UN global plastics treaty negotiations reach a disappointing end. While some progress was made, the chance of delivering an ambitious treaty by the end of...

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Line by line negotiations commence as the clock ticks down on INC-4

Posted on: 29 April 2024

With the end of INC-4 in sight, progress is slowed by delaying tactics to avoid discussing upstream measures and caps on plastic production.

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Progress being made but delegates are beginning to feel the effects of long hours

Posted on: 28 April 2024

Fatigue is setting in at the fourth round of the UN plastic treaty talks as detailed discussions on the treaty provisions stretch late into the night. Japan even plays...

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Substantive discussions commence but deep divisions are present on many provisions of the text

Posted on: 26 April 2024

Sam Winton reflects on days two and three of INC-4 talks where delegates have clashed over the merits of mandatory vs voluntary extended producer responsibility.

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Early battle lines drawn but the afternoon brings progress as INC-4 kicks off

Posted on: 24 April 2024

The opposing views of the high ambition coalition and lower ambition countries dominate the start of proceedings, but there are promising signs of progress. Sam Winton reflects on the...

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Delegates arrive in Ottawa as for INC-4 with a clear need for urgent progress in the negotiations

Posted on: 23 April 2024

As negotiations to agree a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution resume, Sam Winton returns to provide on-the-spot insights from INC-4.

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Who knows it feels it: legislative theatre at INC-3

Posted on: 16 December 2023

Waste pickers from Kenya delivered a powerful and unique message to policymakers at the beginning of the third round of plastics treaty negotiations in Nairobi, inviting delegates and observers...

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The halfway point – reflections on the 3rd session of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty

Posted on: 8 December 2023

The Treaty negotiations at INC-3 were brimming with the “Nairobi Spirit'' of collaboration, compromise, and commitment. However, early progress was dampened during the closing weekend when the delegates left...

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As INC-3 closed, the ‘Nairobi Spirit’ faltered and Members are now forced to address the elephant in the room

Posted on: 20 November 2023

Intersessional work is blocked in a disappointing end to INC-3 negotiations for a global plastics treaty.

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Contact Groups overrun as the clock ticks down on INC-3

Posted on: 19 November 2023

On the final day of contact groups, time is running out for compiling amendments to the zero draft and a vote to allow vital intersessional work to pave the...

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When one paragraph became four – Revised Zero Draft text released with significant streamlining needed

Posted on: 18 November 2023

Day 5 of the INC-3 talks in Nairobi to build the first global plastic treaty saw momentum lost to delays and procedural difficulties due to the sheer volume of...

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Significant work still to be done, but the ‘Nairobi Spirit’ brings progress

Posted on: 17 November 2023

The INC-3 UN Plastics treaty negotiations in Nairobi are reaching a critical point, with majority consensus on many key issues and opposition from small but implacable groups of delegates...

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Areas of consensus and divergence becoming clear at INC-3

Posted on: 16 November 2023

On Day 3 of INC-3, delegates divided into contact groups to discuss key elements of a global plastics treaty. While there are areas of consensus, significant divergence persists on...

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Substantive discussions get underway at INC-3

Posted on: 15 November 2023

In depth discussions began on the second day of INC-3, including on the critical question of how the implementation of the plastics treaty will be funded. Sam Winton offers...

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INC-3 declared open

Posted on: 14 November 2023

With areas of consensus and contention already emerging, Sam Winton summarises the key developments in the first day of INC-3 negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya.

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INC-3 events kick off in force

Posted on: 13 November 2023

Researcher Sam Winton comments on the opening weekend and preparatory meeting of INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya.

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A view from inside the UN Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations INC-3

Posted on: 10 November 2023

Researcher Sam Winton provides an insider’s view of the negotiations as INC-3 progresses in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Wrapping up the 2nd session of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty

Posted on: 10 July 2023

The 2nd session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) in Paris from 29 May to 2 June, 2023 comprised five days filled with late nights and colourful displays of...

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And so it began: the 1st session of negotiations for an International Legally Binding Instrument to end plastic pollution

Posted on: 10 January 2023

As 2023 kicks off, our team at the Global Plastics Policy Centre has had time to reflect on the atmosphere, challenges and outcomes of the first session of the...

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