Despite tireless efforts by the INC Chair and government negotiators to finalise a global plastics treaty, it will not be agreed in Busan, as planned.  

We are encouraged by the increased alignment amongst over 100 countries on critical elements such as global phase-outs and sustainable levels of plastic production. Never before have so many countries clearly articulated support for these obligations. The latest text from the INC Chair is also a step forward on product design and waste management as a basis for future negotiations.  

Disappointingly, consensus among all nations remains elusive, which further delays critical action to end plastic pollution. It also fails to deliver the certainty that business needs to mobilise investment and scale solutions. 

At the resumed INC5.2 session, governments must make a choice. They can continue negotiating a treaty with universal support but little impact. Or they can agree on a treaty based on strong global rules across the full lifecycle of plastics and with a comprehensive financing mechanism, confident in knowing that this is what the majority of governments, business and citizens want. There’s no time to waste: we cannot afford this process sliding into unending negotiations. 

The 275+ members of the Business Coalition stand ready to work together with policymakers across the world to secure the treaty that business needs, and the majority of nations want.