# Global Plastics Treaty

Toward a legally binding international agreement to end plastic pollution


## What is the Global Plastics Treaty?

In March 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The treaty is to take a comprehensive, full life-cycle approach, addressing plastic from design and production to disposal and waste management.The final negotiation round (INC-5.2) took place from 5 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.


## Why It Matters

Plastic pollution has reached even the most remote corners of the planet, from the Mariana Trench to Mount Everest.


**460 million tonnes** of plastic are produced annually.

**Only 9%** is recycled; the rest leaks into the environment.

**By 2060,** plastic waste is projected to triple, without intervention.

**US$281 trillion** estimated cumulative cost of damage from plastic pollution (2016-2040)


## The Path to a Global Plastics Treaty

Each Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) session builds on the UNEA-5.2 resolution, shaping the architecture of the treaty.


## Timeline

*Chronological events and milestones*


# Our Programme at INC-5.2

Beating Plastic Pollution: Solutions DaySunday, 3 August 2025To mark the start of negotiations, we hosted an in-person event spotlighting scalable solutions, inclusive financing, and national strategies—aimed at informing the treaty process and accelerating local action through collaboration.

[Read the highlights](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?url=https://www.globalplasticaction.org/&page_id=4e60b559-d057-4d70-9e44-d81453caef9f)

"At the Forum, and through the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), we’ve been proud to support this process from the very beginning: providing data-driven insights, fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue, and bringing real-world experience to global discussions."Sebastian BuckupManaging Director and Head of the Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum


## Our Role in the Negotiations


### Linking local action to global policymaking

🔸 Bridging local initiatives with international policy frameworks🔸 Sharing best practices and success stories from the National Plastic Action Partnerships🔸 Offering technical expertise and data insights to negotiators


### Fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues

🔸 Convening governments, businesses, and civil society🔸 Hosting Financing Coordination Group (FCG) meetings to address financial strategies🔸 Providing neutral platforms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration


## The Financing Coordination Group (FCG)

An informal initiative comprising The Circulate Initiative, UNEP FI, the World Bank Group, the OECD, and the World Economic Forum, the FCG aims to:Inform decision-makers on financing needs and strategiesAlign public and private finance for plastic pollution solutionsFacilitate knowledge exchange to support effective treaty implementation

[Check out our webinars](https://initiatives.weforum.org/financing-coordination-group/events)


## Recent Highlights


## New Agreement on Plastics: What Will It Take?

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, we convened a high-level panel featuring UNEP Executive Director, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, CEO of Unilever, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment of South Africa, and Co-Founder & CEO of Dioxycle. Closing message from the President of Peru: The treaty must include clear means of implementation across the full plastic life cycle.

[Watch the session](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/new-agreement-on-plastics-how-to-make-it-count/)


## Concluding a Global Plastics Treaty at INC-5.2: What’s Needed?

At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, we convened a high-level session to build momentum toward a strong outcome at INC-5.2. The session was opened by the Minister of Environment of Uruguay and brought together leaders from across government, business, and civil society.Speakers included Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Notpla, Global Advocacy lead of Fortescue and the Minderoo Foundation, and Ambassador from the French Foreign Affairs Ministry.They called for clear, binding global rules that apply to all businesses, enable innovation, and offer regulatory certainty.


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## Insights

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