…After years of stalled negotiations and obstruction by a minority of petro-states, campaigners warn that the credibility of multilateralism—and the planet’s future, hangs in the balance.
By Bunmi Yekini
Four days into the final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, frustration is mounting. Civil society groups, scientists, healthcare professionals, youth, women, waste pickers, and frontline communities are united in one demand: governments must stop stalling and deliver a treaty strong enough to protect people and nature.
“The Global Plastics Treaty must enable a process for effective decision-making,” said Merrisa Naidoo, GAIA Africa Plastics Program Manager. “To avoid earnest negotiations amounting to nothing, negotiators must demonstrate courage, not compromise, by calling for a majority vote when consensus cannot be reached. If we continue to stall in consensus, we trade progress for paralysis.”
The negotiations, five rounds over two years, have been repeatedly derailed by a small bloc of petro-states blocking ambitious proposals supported by the majority. Despite the treaty’s Rules of Procedure allowing for a vote when consensus fails, these countries have insisted on unanimous agreement, leaving talks circling in frustration.
A critical “stocktake” plenary is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, where co-chairs will assess progress, or the lack of it. For many, this is the moment for ambitious nations to break the deadlock and call for a vote.
“It is time to use decision-making tools that allow willing countries to move forward instead of letting a few run negotiations around in circles,” said Rafael Eudes of Aliança Resíduo Zero Brasil. “A strong treaty with majority support beats a weak treaty that caters only to the few. Governments need to hear civil society’s urgent demand for ambition, the credibility of multilateralism and the planet’s future is on the line.”
For communities like those in Cameroon, the stakes could not be higher. “Delegates need to deliver on their promise, a promise relied upon by communities in my country since the UNEA Resolution 5/14,” said Olivia Mah Tamon of FEDEV. “Not delivering on this promise to end plastic pollution will continue to affect vulnerable communities across the world.”
The obstruction, driven largely by fossil fuel majors and petro-states, mirrors the delays that have long plagued global climate action. Campaigners warn that etiquette and procedural politeness should not be allowed to stand between humanity and a strong plastics treaty.
“Negotiations are hard as each country brings its different reality to the table,” said Nalini Shekar of Hasiru Dala. “But countries must align for the common goal of protecting the health of our environment and its people. Profits must not come at the cost of humanity.”