From August 5 to 14, 2025, the international community will gather in Geneva to resume negotiations on a Global Treaty to Combat Plastic Pollution. These talks follow previous rounds, most recently in December 2024 in Busan, where no agreement was reached on the draft treaty.
Plastic Pollution Threatens Ecosystems Worldwide
The situation is alarming: Around 10 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans every year, with devastating effects on marine life, the climate, and human health. In Europe, first steps have already been taken, including EU Directive 2019/904 (“SUP Directive”), which aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
However, the issue is a global one. Since March 2022, international negotiations have been underway to develop a legally binding treaty that goes far beyond recycling. The goal is to regulate the entire life cycle of plastics—including the reduction of production and consumption.
UN Conference in Nice: Momentum for Ambitious Goals
At the UN Conference in Nice in June 2025, the topic once again took center stage. 96 countries signed the “Nice Appeal,” outlining five core demands for the planned treaty:
1.Global targets to reduce primary plastic polymer production and consumption
2.A ban on the most problematic plastics and hazardous chemicals
3.Eco-friendly product design with a focus on environmental and human health
4.Financial mechanisms to support implementation of the treaty
5.A dynamic, evidence-based framework that can evolve over time
This widespread support shows that the world is ready for a comprehensive solution.
France Takes Action on the National Level
France used the occasion to announce several key initiatives:
– A new cross-party bill will expand the reuse of packaging across the country—setting goals more ambitious than current legislation.
– Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, also presented France’s Plastic Action Plan, focusing on:
· Promoting sustainable consumption by reducing single-use packaging
· Improving plastic collection both at home and in public spaces
· Supporting the recycling industry and creating green jobs
Geneva: A Turning Point for the Treaty
The upcoming negotiations in Geneva are seen as a decisive moment for the treaty’s future. At stake is whether countries can agree on binding measures to reduce plastic production and consumption, or whether the treaty will be limited to waste management.
All eyes are on Geneva—hopeful for an agreement that addresses not just the symptoms, but the root causes of plastic pollution.
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