This conference was held as a continuation of the recent global summit on
combating the plastic pollution crisis.
Binding Treaty
In 2022, at its fifth session, the United Nations Environment
Assembly (UNEA) adopted a resolution under which the International Negotiating
Committee (INC) was tasked with drafting a legally binding treaty. The treaty
was required to take an approach that would address not only waste management
and recycling, but the issue from the source — namely the design, production,
and consumption of plastics.
Here is the text of the relevant paragraph:
Following this resolution, at the previous session (INC-5) held in
2024 in Busan, South Korea, the treaty was expected to be finalized. However,
in the end, due to disagreements over several key issues — such as the scope of
the treaty, the production of primary polymers, and financing — no agreement
was reached, and the drafting of the treaty was postponed to the next session.
The next session was held from 5 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The
country hosted the INC-5.2 negotiations, which were crucial for finalizing a
treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on human
health, the environment, and the global economy, and was attended by 179 UN
member states.
Geneva Talks Failure
This round of talks also ended inconclusively due to deep
disagreements among the participating governments over the proposed treaty
text. On one side, more than 100 countries are calling for limiting plastic
production to a sustainable level. The EU members and dozens of countries in
South America, Africa, and Asia are among them. They also want to eliminate disposable
plastics such as cups and cutlery from the consumption cycle, and to promote
the use of reusable plastic products and a circular economy in which the raw
materials of a product are reprocessed and reused.
On the other side are the countries that possess the main source of plastic
production — crude oil. Among these countries are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and
Russia. These countries mainly focus on reducing plastic pollution through
enhancing national plastic waste management programs rather than imposing
restrictions or changing the production patterns of primary polymer materials
derived from petrochemicals.
In this context, Iran, along with other like-minded countries, while
emphasizing the need to reach international consensus and understanding on this
matter, described the latest draft presented by the chair of the negotiating
committee as unbalanced and one-sided. Iran stressed that as long as the treaty
does not properly take into account the role of plastics in the growth and
development of human society, civilizational realities, and the needs of the
global market, and as long as extreme views — which only disrupt the balance
between supply and demand and increase prices — are not set aside, reaching an
agreement will not be possible.
Next Step
Ultimately, following the negotiations of the Geneva session, the
conference “Plastic Pollution Crisis: New Challenges and Opportunities” was
held in September 2025 in Iran.
Addressing the conference, Ansari said the petrochemical industry
has come to realize that moving toward environmental protection is inevitable.
“Over the past few years,
efforts have been made worldwide to impose restrictions on plastic consumption.
Given the risks that plastic pollution — especially in water resources and
oceans — has created, it seems that creating global convergence and consensus
to combat it is essential. This issue has also been placed as a priority on the
agenda of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),” she said.
Ansari said Although we use plastic in various industries,
including medicine and construction among other sectors, this material, which
was produced for human well-being, has also brought pollution along with it.
Today, this pollution can be seen in many recreational areas, tourist
destinations, and beaches.
Referring to waste management and the prominent role of industries,
particularly the polymer industry, she said: “By adopting an approach focused
on developing environmentally friendly technologies, green technologies, and
producing eco-friendly products, our industries can minimize the pollution
caused by plastic materials.”
Technology Use
The CEO of NPC Abbaszadeh underscored the need for investment in
modern technologies to help overcome the challenge of plastic pollution,
saying: “Raising public awareness about environmental pollution is essential so
that people understand the challenges plastic consumption poses for the world.
Organizations such as municipalities must also establish the infrastructure for
waste and plastic separation.”
He said by applying technology, chemical and mechanical recycling
can be carried out in the cycle, which is of great importance.
Regional Approaches
Some of the participants in the Geneva session believed that the
negotiations on the plastic pollution treaty should be conducted in a way that
does not negatively impact the economies of developing countries and the
livelihoods of millions of people, and that sufficient financial and
technological support should be provided to these countries for the effective
implementation of the treaty.
Addressing the conference, Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the deputy
minister of petroleum for International Affairs and Trade, said “From a broad
perspective, beyond the issue of plastic pollution, after several decades of
international negotiations, national and international mechanisms have now
reached a degree of intellectual convergence where addressing humanity’s
multiple needs — including energy, livelihoods, and a clean environment — should
be examined within a comprehensive framework and perspective.”
He added: “Approaches to solving global problems need to be
designed in accordance with the national conditions of each country or region.
Moreover, these approaches must be implementable and trackable on a global
scale by all countries; otherwise, it cannot be expected that global goals and
programs to address an issue — including plastic pollution, no matter how
critical or urgent — will be achieved in a timely manner.”
Mousavi said a look at the relatively long list of deeply disputed
issues — such as the “definition of the full life cycle of plastics,” the
“definition of problematic and concerning plastics,” the “imposition of limits
on the production of primary polymers,” the “unclear scope of the treaty,
especially regarding chemical feedstocks,” the “compensation for environmental
costs,” and the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities by
developed countries” — shows that the issue of a plastic pollution treaty has
broad economic and social implications that seriously challenge the national
interests of each country or region, especially those with oil, gas, and
petrochemical industries.
Roadmap to Upgrade Iran Status
Davoud Emadi, chair of the policymaking council of the conference,
stressed the need for adopting a national roadmap to upgrade Iran’s standing
for the purpose of developing the petrochemical industry and protecting the
environment.
Regarding the objectives behind the conference, he said: “The main
objectives of holding the conference are: reviewing international developments
and identifying future challenges and opportunities for government institutions
and the private sector; creating a space for dialogue and collaboration among
the government, industry, academia, society, and other involved organizations; raising
industry awareness about upcoming challenges by examining their environmental,
social, and economic impacts; designing a national roadmap to enhance Iran’s
position in the path of industrial development and environmental protection;
and planning to turn the crisis into economic opportunities through innovation,
job creation, development of new markets, and informed product selection.”
Plastic Output at 400mt
Hiroshi Ono, Senior Advisor to Japan’s Ministry of the Environment,
Thomas Jahr, head of Norway’s negotiating delegation, Salman al-Ajmi, chair of
the LMG Like-Minded Group from Kuwait, and Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive
Secretary of the Negotiating Committee, along with representatives from other
countries, attended the meeting online.
Mathur-Filipp said global plastic production in 2024 exceeded 400
million tonnes (mt), which represents an increase of 100 mt compared to the
previous year.
Noting that a significant portion of this produced plastic has
become waste that ends up in rivers and the environment, contaminating soil,
water, and even our bodies, he said: “Therefore, the world is now facing the challenges
of increasing plastic production and recognizes the need to adopt mechanisms to
prevent environmental pollution. Considering the growing population and rising
consumerism in the country, without serious actions toward reducing plastic
consumption and improving waste management systems, this problem will
intensify—especially in urban and industrial areas.”
Jahr said: “Using plastic is unavoidable. We cannot ignore the use of plastic,
but given its role and impact on the environment, it is necessary to take
action. Of course, we have already been able to take significant steps, but we
are still examining and assessing the balance between plastic production and
the environment.”
“Regulations can only be effective when they are implemented. In
this regard, it is necessary to draw on the experiences of other countries. If
we can ensure human health and the environment in this treaty, we will have
achieved the goal and vision of these negotiations. Norway is firmly determined
to reach an international treaty,” he added.
Minimum Pollution
Al-Ajmi highlighted the current critical and sensitive conditions
with regard to plastic pollution, saying: “Recycling requires careful planning.
In this regard, industries are expected to show initiative and creativity in
their designs, the technologies they use, and also in reducing the use of
non-renewable energies. There is also a need for the growth and expansion of
knowledge, extensive information exchange, and an up-to-date recycling system.
Drafting a treaty alone is not enough. Industries and governments must accept
their responsibility to tackle pollution, which is a global challenge.”
“We do not want to stop the plastic production industry, but we can
tackle the pollution it causes. In fact, we want to control plastic production
in the best possible way with the least pollution and make use of its benefits,”
he added.
Comprehensive Approach Needed
Japan has been striving for years to lead the world toward reducing
marine plastic waste. Due to its location near the ocean, the country has made
reducing plastic waste a central focus of its negotiations. Ono participated
online in the conference on the plastic pollution crisis.
Regarding how to counter plastic pollution, he said: “It is
necessary to have a comprehensive approach from the time of production to the
time of consumption. In addition to managing the production and consumption of
plastic, we need to focus on protecting the environment and preventing
pollution, especially in riverbeds and oceans.”
According to Ono, in line with treaties to combat plastic
pollution, many Japanese companies plan to review their products and take
effective measures for their reproduction and recycling. “Our main goal is to
control plastic pollution with the participation of all stakeholders—producers
and consumers—so that we can achieve desirable outcomes. On the other hand,
industries must comply with harmonized regulations. In fact, the regulations
and restrictions are not meant to apply to only some countries,” he said.
Referring to the joint meeting of Iran and Japan that had
previously been held in Tehran, Ono expressed hope that with flexibility and
coordination, these difficult negotiations could be concluded and the treaty
finalized. In his view, the treaty to combat plastic pollution is difficult but
achievable.
Courtesy of Iran Petroleum