‘It’s progressing very slowly’

Negotiations on the first global agreement to stop plastic pollution are progressing “very, very slowly”, threatening the chances of reaching a deal, diplomats and observers said. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Busan, South Korea, with the aim of reaching an agreement by December 1 after two years of talks.

But Eirik Lindebjerg, WWF’s global plastics policy manager, said the first full day of four “contact groups” tasked with developing the agreement’s language resulted in discussions “going around in circles”.

“Contact group discussions are progressing very slowly,” he said.

That view was echoed by several diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the closed-door talks.

“This process is very, very slow, with the usual countries constantly slowing down the process,” said a delegate from the Latin American delegation.

Presentations to contact groups made clear that Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia, suppliers of raw materials used to produce plastics, were among the countries seeking significant changes, including deleting part of the agreement aimed at limiting new production.

Saudi Arabia warned in a presentation that supply restrictions “extend beyond” the deal’s focus on plastic pollution and risk creating “economic disruptions.”

Others involved in the talks warned of growing frustration.

“There is a difference between protecting one’s interests and deliberately obstructing progress in negotiations,” said a delegate from a small island state.

Meanwhile, a European diplomat has warned that the tenor of talks so far suggests they will be “very, very difficult in the end”.

“I think we will be in a very difficult situation within two days at the latest,” added another delegate.

Still, there are some bright spots, Lindebjerg said, including proposals to potentially limit “problem” products and chemicals.

“This could move us forward in eliminating harmful and unnecessary plastic materials that poison humanity and nature,” he said.

“Now the progressive majority of the countries represented here need to act together and not compromise,” he added.

He warned that while UN agreements are usually reached by consensus, “a binding agreement supported by a majority of governments will be far more effective than a weak, voluntary agreement supported by all governments.”

This view was echoed by a second European diplomat.

“The key to success is to create an agreement that has the support of the vast majority,” he said.

This would “force the small group (of opposing countries) to destroy it or become a noisy and dissatisfied minority for a deal they eventually sign”. —AFP