INC-5.2, held in Geneva in August 2025, was meant to be a defining moment in the battle against plastic waste. Delegates from 183 countries gathered for this second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution, with the ambition of finalizing a legally binding treaty to strengthen plastic waste management and reduce plastic pollution. The committee was established by the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022 (UNEA-5.2) with a mandate to develop a legally binding global treaty by the end of 2024, covering the entire lifecycle of plastics, production and design to disposal, while protecting the marine environment. Instead, the talks ended without stricter, enforceable rules, leaving critical steps unresolved.
Each year, the world produces about 2.1 billion tons of municipal solid waste, a figure expected to rise to 3.8 billion tons by 2050 under the business-as-usual scenario. Global plastic waste alone is projected to nearly triple, reaching 1.7 billion tons by 2060, further threatening not only the global economy but also the health, well-being, and environment of billions of people worldwide. In 2022, Asia and the Pacific generated 113 million tons of plastic waste, nearly 90% of which came from short-lived applications and single-use plastics, such as packing (averaging only months of use, 44% of municipal waste) and consumer products (about 3 years of use, 12% of municipal waste). Globally, only around 9%–10% of plastic waste is recycled, and while in Asia and the Pacific, 19% was collected for recycling, only around 12% was effectively recycled. Without upstream reductions in production, improved materials design, and stronger waste prevention policy, the mounting volume of mismanaged plastic waste will continue to threaten both ecosystems and human health.
Expectations for INC-5.2
At INC-5.1 in Busan at the end of 2024, negotiators made notable progress, significantly reducing the working draft, clarifying many red lines, and gaining support from over 100 countries for proposals on more sustainable product design, phasing out harmful chemicals, and financial mechanisms to support implementation.
Leading up to INC-5.2, there was a general expectation that the session would be a turning point, possibly the final negotiation to adopt a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Delegates hoped to resolve outstanding issues across the full lifecycle of plastics, including production caps, design standards, and hazardous chemicals regulation. Another key expectation was to secure robust financial support and mechanisms to implement the treaty, such as the transfer of technology and capacity building, especially for developing countries facing severe financial constraints.
Key Challenges
- Scope of the Treaty. Despite significant progress at INC-5.1, diverging views among negotiators persisted, particularly on the scope of the treaty, such as whether it should regulate the entire lifecycle of plastics or focus only on downstream waste. Many countries, businesses, and civil society organizations backed a lifecycle approach (production to disposal) with binding measures on primary polymer production and consumption. However, countries with strong fossil fuel and petrochemical industries opposed this, preferring to emphasize waste management and downstream issues.
- Regulatory measures. Negotiators could not agree on whether to adopt binding limits or national and voluntary measures. Debate also continued over future decision-making procedures and whether these should be decided by consensus or voting.
- Financing uncertainty. Financing and technology transfer must go beyond short-term pledges to provide lasting and reliable support at the necessary scale. Developing countries require clear, long-term financing commitments from advanced economies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and other global fund mechanisms. Technology transfer for recycling infrastructure, alternative materials, and monitoring systems, as well as the financing tools provided (e.g., grants vs. loans), must be underpinned by clear guidelines.
- Strong industry influence. At INC-5.2, 234 lobbyists from fossil fuel and petrochemical companies participated, strengthening corporate influence in the negotiations. Their presence steered discussions toward downstream solutions like waste management and recycling, while showing strong resistance to production caps and controls on hazardous chemicals.
The Way Forward
For developing Asia and the Pacific, future negotiations must build stronger policies such as extended producer responsibility, which has been gaining traction in the region, and other financing mechanisms to support countries in maximizing resource efficiency for plastic production and reducing plastic waste.
Fostering regional cooperation and empowering informal workers will also be critical for the transition to a circular economy whereby plastic waste becomes an opportunity for sustainable green growth. At the same time, scaling up technology transfer, mobilizing private investment through green and blended finance, and integrating small and medium-sized enterprises and local communities into value chains will be vital. By linking plastic reduction strategies to climate and health co-benefits, developing Asia and the Pacific can chart a pathway toward a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
