No Agreement Reached to End Plastic Pollution... Environmental Groups Say "The Fight Is Not Over"

On June 5th, Environment Day last year, a participant is hanging waste plastic on a large net sculpture at the 'Plastic Vomit' event held at the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This event symbolizes the Earth, overwhelmed by the plastic pouring out before our eyes, vomiting out plastic. Photo by Jo Yongjun

After the efforts of more than 180 countries around the world to end plastic pollution failed once again, environmental groups reaffirmed their determination, declaring, "The fight is not over."

The Korea Federation for Environmental Movements issued a statement on the 15th, saying, "The momentum built by civil society and indigenous peoples through the plastic treaty process is undeniable." The organization added, "Until recently, plastic pollution was considered a waste management issue, but now the actions needed to resolve this crisis have become scientifically clear, and public awareness and concern have reached their peak." It further stated, "The fact that more than 100 countries have declared their support for reducing plastic production is a testament to the strength of the global movement to stop plastic pollution from extraction to final disposal."

The organization also said, "The Korea Federation for Environmental Movements and Friends of the Earth International will continue to negotiate for an ambitious and binding agreement." It continued, "Now that the negotiations have ended without clear progress, procedural changes are urgently needed to break the deadlock. While we return disappointed, we are also more determined than ever to continue the fight to end plastic pollution for people and the planet."

According to the Korean government and foreign media, the additional negotiation session of the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) for drafting an international agreement to end plastic pollution, held in Geneva, Switzerland for ten days starting August 5, ended at 9 a.m. on this day without reaching an agreement. Delegates from more than 180 countries continued discussions even past the official end date, but ultimately failed to reach a consensus.