Clyde Alexandra

Towards an international treaty on plastic pollution

Aotearoa New Zealand is working with other countries on an international treaty on plastic pollution.

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In March 2022, 193 UN member states endorsed a historic decision to negotiate the treaty. UN member states established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee with the aim of agreeing the treaty by the end of 2024. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry for the Environment attended the fifth round of negotiations in Busan, South Korea, from 25 November to 1 December 2024.

The goal was to conclude negotiations. While substantial progress was made, it was not possible to adopt a treaty. The fifth round of negotiations will resume for a second session in Geneva, Switzerland from 5 to 14 August 2025.