Without an agreement, the conclusion of a round of international negotiations on plastic pollution and the Secretary -General, unfortunately

The Secretary -General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his deep regret for the end of the negotiations without reaching consensus, despite the relentless efforts.

In a statement attributed to his spokesman, Guterres welcomed the insistence of member states to continue working to eliminate plastic pollution, and the continued participation in this process, united in its goal, to reach a treaty that the world needs to confront this huge challenge facing people and the environment.

Daily negotiations

Ingger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, the United Nations Agency, which facilitates the talks, said: “It was ten days arduous in light of geopolitical complications, economic challenges and multiple tensions.”.

س In order: “However, one thing remains clear, which is that despite these complications, all countries clearly want to stay at the negotiating table.”.

Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the committee’s talks that were held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Andersen confirmed that member states expressed their clear desire to continue participating in the process, and recognized their great differences regarding plastic pollution.

She said: “While we have not reached the text of the treaty that we were hoping, we are in the United Nations Environment Program we will continue to work to combat plastic pollution – pollution in our groundwater, in our soil, in our rivers, in our oceans, and yes, in our bodies.”.

The UN official confirmed that “People demand a treaty”Alerting to the hard work that awaits them to maintain the momentum to conclude a binding international agreement.

Partnership

The meeting of the committee in Geneva is an appeal for the fifth session of these talks, as this session began in Busan, South Korea at the end of last year.

This fifth resumed session of the committee’s meetings witnessed the presence of more than 2,600 participants, among them more than 1,400 members of member states from 183 countries, and nearly 1,000 observers representing more than 400 organizations.

About 70 ministers and deputy ministers, in addition to 30 high -level representatives, held unofficial round table meetings on the sidelines of the session.

There was effective participation in this course of civil society, including the original peoples, the mosques of waste, artists, youth, and scientists. Participants raised their votes through protests, artworks, press surroundings and other events.

Four communication groups were formed to address major issues, including plastic design, disturbing chemicals, production limits, financing, and compliance tools.

An incentive for what is coming

In turn, the Chairman of the International Governmental negotiation Committee, Luis Fayas Valdevisu, said: “The failure to achieve the goal we set for ourselves may bring sadness, and even frustration. However, this should not lead to disappointment. On the contrary, it should motivate us to restore our energy, renew our obligations, and unite our aspirations.”.

He added: “This has not yet happened in Geneva, but I am sure that the day when the international community will unite its will and are joined to protect our environment and safeguard the health of our peoples will come.”.

As for Guti Macher-Philip, the executive secretary of the Secretariat of the International Governmental Negotiating Committee, she said: “With the conclusion of this course, we leave and we have realized the upcoming challenges, and in our possession a renewed commitment and joint to confront them. It must be progressing is our commitment now.”.

It is noteworthy that the operation of the International Governmental Negotiating Committee started in March 2022 when the United Nations Environment Association issued Resolution 5.2 to develop an internationally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, including marine pollution.