Seyed Ali-Mohammad Mousavi, deputy minister for international and
commercial affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum, told a conference on
plastic pollution that plastic itself is not the pollutant, but “mismanagement
of waste” is.
He warned that unilateral drafting approaches and failure to account for
the economic consequences for oil- and gas-producing states have stalled more
than two years of negotiations on a binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
Disputes remain over issues such as defining the full life cycle of plastics,
restricting virgin polymer production, and compensating developing economies.
Mousavi said the talks have split into two camps – one seeking to limit
plastic production, while others, including Iran, emphasize recycling and waste
management. He stressed that plastics play a vital role in industry and daily
life.
According to UN estimates, implementing global plastic pollution policies
could require $1.64 trillion by 2040, but Mousavi noted it remains unclear who
will bear these costs. He argued that imposing restrictions on polymer output
without mechanisms to offset losses would seriously hurt petrochemical
economies already under economic strain and sanctions.
“The treaty must strike a balance between environmental goals and economic
realities,” Mousavi said, adding that sustainable development should remain the
guiding principle. He also warned that any final agreement will reshape the
future of the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, presenting both risks and
opportunities.