The Plastics Treaty Process Needs Greatly Improved Observer Participation at this Critical Point in the Negotiations and Beyond By Craig Boljkovac Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. -

The Plastics Treaty Process Needs Greatly Improved Observer Participation at this Critical Point in the Negotiations and Beyond By Craig Boljkovac GENEVA, Aug 24 2026 (IPS) - In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly mandated an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a global, legally binding instrument addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production and product design to disposal. After the resumed fifth session adjourned without consensus in Geneva in August 2025, the divided process moved into informal consultations before INC-5.4 in March 2027. https://www.ipsnews.net/2026/08/the-plastics-treaty-process-needs-greatly-improved-observer-participation-at-this-critical-point-in-the-negotiations-and-beyond/ Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. -