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Closing the Gaps Towards the Safe and Sustainable Management of Plastic Waste
Project type
Background Note
Date
Nov - Dec 2023
More details
To address the global challenge of plastic pollution, the United Nations Environment Assembly established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) with the mandate to develop an internationally legally binding instrument that tackles plastic pollution across its entire life cycle.
Since its inaugural session in 2022—which set the foundation for formal negotiations and the articulation of initial positions—the INC has advanced its work through subsequent meetings. The third meeting, INC-3, held in the Republic of Korea in 2023, developed the “zero draft” document introducing the basis for further negotiation.
The following background notes synthesize key insights from a series of webinars focused on four core thematic areas critical to the treaty negotiations, offering concise analyses to support informed dialogue and decision-making.
This notes outlines critical policy considerations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates environmental protection with social justice. It focuses on two priorities: safeguarding the rights of informal waste workers, and addressing the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). By bridging the gap in international frameworks and promoting inclusive, equitable solutions, the document offers a blue print for a treaty that is both effective and fair.