The ongoing negotiations in Busan on the treaty to combat plastic pollution appear to be stalling on the third day of discussions. After a series of intense debates, progress is slow and negotiators struggle to find common ground on crucial points of the future treaty. This situation is largely attributable to ongoing tensions arising from COP 29 on climate, where discussions focused more on the issue of financing climate actions than on the production and management of plastic waste. While plastic pollution is a major global issue, growing divisions between developed and developing countries risk undermining the treaty’s ambition.
A complex political context and growing divisions
The treaty against plastic pollution, although expected to be a major step in the fight against global pollution, appears to be suffering from delays in its development. The discussions in Busan, which have intensified over the days, reveal points of friction, particularly on the question of the distribution of financing necessary for the implementation of measures to reduce plastic pollution. Developed countries emphasize the need to strengthen international financing, while developing countries demand more substantial financial support to implement local solutions and avoid worsening their already fragile economic situations.
This debate on financing took on significant importance after the COP 29 on climate, where the lack of resources allocated to climate initiatives dominated the discussions. The focus on these financial issues has somewhat overshadowed the real heart of the problem: the production and management of plastics, and the reduction of plastic waste at source. For many experts, this divergence in priorities slows progress towards an ambitious and universal treaty.
A contested method of discussion
Faced with these tensions, several negotiators are expressing growing concerns about the method chosen by the presidency to guide the discussions. According to several sources, the presidency of the negotiations seems to favor a process of discussions in small groups, which has led to a lack of coordination and unity between the different stakeholders. This has led to delays in developing concrete proposals, and the majority of participants are calling for a more inclusive and structured approach to tackling the complex issue of plastic pollution comprehensively.
Critics focus in particular on the absence of a clear framework for moving forward on discussions relating to the reduction of plastic production, a fundamental aspect for any strategy aimed at curbing plastic pollution in the long term. Proposals from some rich nations, which favor technological solutions to recycle existing plastics, are considered insufficient by developing countries, which insist on the importance of real systemic change.
A crucial treaty for the future of the planet
The fight against plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. According to a UN report, nearly 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, much of which ends up in our oceans, endangering marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. The establishment of a binding international treaty is therefore considered essential to coordinate global efforts and stop this growing threat.
However, with persistent differences over priorities and a negotiation method considered too fragmented, it remains to be seen whether negotiators will manage to overcome these obstacles to achieve an ambitious comprehensive treaty. The discussions in Busan mark a turning point, with many observers calling for greater commitment from member states to prevent plastic pollution from becoming a problem out of control.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
