AP, Reuters and Europa Press
La Jornada newspaper
Saturday, August 16, 2025, p. 11
Geneva. The conversations to end the world’s first binding treaty about plastic pollution in Switzerland, failed yesterday in the middle of great division between countries on how to address the crisis, while some delegates expressed their disappointment and discomfort because in 10 days of conversations agreements were not achieved.
Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator of the International Network for the elimination of pollutants, said that “the consensus is dead”; Also, Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Organization Program (UN) for the environment, said that despite the challenges and disappointment, “we have to accept that significant progress has been made.”
The European Commissioner Jessika Roswall, said that the European Union (EU) had great expectations for this meeting, but, although the draft does not reach its demands, it is a good basis for another negotiation session, and said that “the Earth is not only ours. We are the administrators for those who will come after us. We fulfill that duty.”
“I deeply regret that, despite the sincere efforts made, the negotiations to achieve a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine medium, have concluded without achieving a consensus,” said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General.
“We are circling in circles. We cannot continue doing the same and expect a different result,” said Graham Forbes, head of the Greenpeace delegation in Geneva, at the end of the summit.
“Key, address toxic chemicals used”
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United States opposed the production of plastics or prohibit chemical additives in the treaty; Despite this, Washington supported provisions to improve waste collection and management, optimize product design and boost recycling, reuse and other efforts to reduce the plastic spilled in the environment.
Diplomats and climate defenders warned earlier this month that EU’s efforts and small island states to limit the production of virgin plastic (fueled by oil, coal and gas) face the opposition of the countries producing petrochemicals and the United States.
Each year, more than 400 million tons of new plastics occur in the world, and that could increase around 70 percent by 2040 without changes in policies. Around 100 countries want to limit production, while others affirmed that it is also key to address the toxic chemicals used in manufacturing.
