Athens, August 19, 2025

INC-5.2: Treaty on plastics: The battle against plastics and the barriers of lobbies

After two -year negotiations to the UN on the creation of a World Treaty on Plasticthe Ministers of International State gathered in Geneva for the last, crucial round of discussions. Central at stake was the choice between an ambitious agreement for the radical treatment of plastic pollution or maintaining the status quo, under pressure from the lobby of fossil fuels and the petrochemical industry.

However, the maximum friction point was the proposal for Reduce the production of plasticswhich once again prevented the total agreement to reach. Critical countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the US chaired by Trump, have been in favor of a weak treaty without strong binding measures, trying to limit the content of the activist proposal. Its intervention Greenpeacein collaboration with dozens of organizations and sensitized citizens, have at present prevented the prevalence of this position.

Loud message from civil society

Graham Forbes, head of Greenpeace’s mission to the negotiating process, stressed that “Failure to reach an agreement in Geneva must be awakened: Treating plastic pollution requires immediate conflict with the interests of fossil fuels”. Praised the fact that the overwhelming majority of governments seeks one strong agreementbut, as he pointed out, “A handful of skilful people took advantage of the process to block attempts”. He also pointed out that “The hesitation must stop” As the crisis is deteriorating and the petrochemical industry seeks short -term profits against the planet.

The message is clear: “We need a strong, legally binding condition that will reduce the production of plastics, protect health, provide fair funding and end pollution from mining to rejection. Leaders must listen to society because the future of health and planet is at stake”.

The next day of negotiations

The future of negotiations remain uncertain. What is certain, however, is the commitment of Greenpeace and its partners to continue the struggle for a truly powerful, substantial international plastics agreement that will set clear limits on the production and management of these products.

● See photos and videos from Greenpeace’s presence in the UN negotiations here.

For more information:

Greenpeace Hellenic Office, [email protected], 2103840774