The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced that the second part of the 5th session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an treaty on plastic pollution (INC-5.2)* is scheduled to be held from August 5 to August 14 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

In March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) decided to establish a legally binding international instrument on obligations and implementation measures throughout the entire life cycle of plastic production, consumption, and waste management. Since then, approximately 170 UN member countries have met five times to advance negotiations.

In particular, the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) was held in Busan last November (2024) with the goal of developing the treaty; however, negotiations could not be concluded due to sharp differences among countries regarding the regulation of plastic production, the regulatory measures for chemicals of concern, and the methods of securing funding. Nonetheless, significant agreement was achieved on agendas related to plastic product design and waste management. 

Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, announced that based on the results of the discussions, he has proposed a fifth revised draft that reduces the original over 70-page treaty to about 22 pages, and that the meeting will be resumed this year (2025).

At the second part of the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), discussions will be based on the fifth revised draft proposed by Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso, which was derived from the meeting in Busan, in order to finalize the treaty. If the negotiations are concluded at the INC-5.2, a diplomatic conference will be held in 2026 to adopt the treaty.

The Ministry of Environment intends to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, leveraging effective domestic plastic waste management systems such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. In addition, they will engage actively in current meetings, taking into account diverse perspectives from industry stakeholders, civil society, and others.

Kim Go-eung, Director of Resources Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “Although we unfortunately could not develop a treaty in Busan last November, the Ministry of Environment remains committed to reducing plastic pollution. This commitment is evident as we host a World Environment Day celebration focused on plastics in Jeju this June.” He added, “We will do our utmost to unite the international community’s will once again, ensuring that a treaty can be concluded at the upcoming meeting.”  End. 

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com