The United Nations Plastic Treaty Treaty talks again with failure

Despite Friday’s results, the plastic treaty does not seem to have died yet. Almost, all countries have expressed interest in the ongoing negotiations – European Union delegate Jessica Roswal said she would not accept.Dead Treaty– Many used the microphone time during the closing plenary session to remind others of what is at stake.

Tuvalu delegate, Pepetua Election Latasi, during a general meeting of the Plastic Treaty in Geneva.

Photo: Joseph Winters / Grest

“We cannot ignore the seriousness of the situation,” said negotiator from Madagascar. “Every day, our oceans, environmental systems and societies suffer from the consequences of our inability to take decisive and united measures.” The delegate of Tuwalu, Latassi, said that failure in the enactment of a treaty means that “millions of tons of plastic waste will continue to throw our oceans, which affects our ecological system, food security, livelihoods and culture.”

However, without changing the coordination of negotiations – especially about decision -making – it is unclear whether the additional discussions will be fruitful. The criterion on “consensus -based decisions means that the vote threatening cannot be used to push stubborn countries away from their red lines; unless decisions are made by a majority vote, it is unlikely to change this dynamic.” This meeting has proven that the consensus has died. “

Other non -profit groups coded in many silent protests during the Geneva talks that raises this same point, as reading signs were “consensus that kills ambition.”

“The consensus is worth searching for whether we have pushed forward, and not if the operation stops,” said Senimili Nakora, one of Fiji delegates, during the closing plenary session. “This process needs a deadline,” said negotiator in Switzerland.

Other countries have raised broader concerns about the “operation” through which negotiations continued. The meetings were “non -transparent”, “non -transparent”, and “mysterious”, during the plenary session, they probably reference to the unclear instructions they received from the Secretariat, the bureaucracy body that organizes negotiations.

Ingren Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, told reporters on Friday that it was at least useful to hear the two countries in a clearer expression of their red lines. “Everyone must understand that this work will not stop, because plastic pollution will not stop.”

Observers sit outside the assembly hall of the Palais Des Notations in Geneva, waiting for the early hours of the morning until the plenary session begins.

Photo: Joseph Winters / Grest

The plastic industry, which has opposed control over plastic production and overcomes groups of dangerous chemicals, said it will continue to support the treaty “keeping plastic materials in the economy and outside the environment.” “Although a global agreement is not concluded to end plastic pollution, we will continue to support efforts to reach an agreement working with all countries and can be effectively implemented.”