INC-5.2 on plastic pollution: Opening session 05 August 2025

Thank you, Thank you very much.

Dear colleagues, dear friends, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to declare open the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, and I call to order this 5th plenary meeting.

Excellencias, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, observers, colleagues and dear friends, I would like to begin my statement by addressing you in my mother tongue Spanish, in order to warmly welcome you to the Palace of Nations for the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.

The Palace of Nations is a historic venue which was built to provide a home to the ideals of peace, freedom and cooperation among nations and has witnessed key moments of multilateral diplomacy.

Thus, we are in an enabling environment so that our will to work will translate into positive outcomes.

Please allow me to begin by extending heartfelt thanks to those whose commitment and dedication has brought us to this critical moment, to Inga Anderson, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, for her constant guideness and unwavering defence of environmental multilateralism.

Thank you very much, Madam Executive Director to Jotie Matter Philip, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, and her outstanding team, Thank you for supporting this process with professionalism, transparency and tireless dedication.

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And to Katrine Schneeberger, Director of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, thank you for your generous welcome to Geneva, the Bulwart bulwark of multilateralism and cooperation amongst peoples, and for your country's support throughout this process.

I would also like to acknowledge the constant support of UNEP staff, the Inc Secretariat and the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Your logistic and Technical Support has provided us with the necessary foundations for fruitful work.

Thank you so much for that.

I would also like to welcome observers participating in this meeting.

I'd like to thank you for your valuable perspectives, technical skills, and innovative, innovative ideas.

You represent civil society, industry, science and communities throughout the world, including Indigenous peoples, and it is your voices that ensure the credibility and inclusion of this process.

I'd like to encourage you to continue your vital role, not only as observers but as active participants, as your contributions will help delegations build bridges and overcome differences.

And lastly, but certainly not least, given your most relevant role in this collective effort, I would like to thank the Member States represented here through your delegations.

This is a negotiation among states.

You are at the very heart of this process.

You're the ones taking the decisions.

Let's not forget that.

And that means, as the Latin thinker said, a huge right, but at the same time a colossal responsibility.

I would like to acknowledge your original decision, because all of you adopted the initial mandate through Resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly, which triggered this process.

We know we still have a lot of work to do, and I don't want to underestimate how complex it will be, but we have already found significant points of convergence on difficult subjects.

But there are still some outstanding differences of opinion.

Nevertheless, I trust that there will be enough political will to overcome them, the same will that has helped us make progress in our work and brought us to the brink of a historic moment.

Please allow me now to continue my statement in English.

Dear colleagues, we have come to Geneva with a shared vision to finish the work we start together and to fulfil the mandate given to us under UNERA Resolution 514.

For the first time in history, the world is within a reach of a legally binding international instrument to end plastic pollution.

This is a challenging task, but a deeply necessary one.

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Plastic pollution is demanding, is damaging sorry ecosystems, polluting our oceans and rivers, threatening biodiversity, harming human health and unfairly impacting the most vulnerable.

The urgency is real, the evidence is clear and the responsibility is on us.

We understand how we arrive to this point.

And natural disaster did not 'cause this crisis.

It is mainly an unintended result since we are pretty sure nobody wants plastic pollution.

Still, we have not been able to find a systematic and an effective way to stop it.

Pollution results from our decisions, habits and systems that have persistent because we have been unable to find ways to control it since Since it is a human made crisis, it can and that it must be tackled through human effort and global cooperation.

We are supported by the best available science, which clearly shows that an effective international framework for cooperation and accountability, one that is, that adopts A comprehensive approach throughout the life cycle of plastics, can significantly reduce plastic pollution and provide great benefits for both the environment and public health.

You Member States have the mandate, information and authority to act.

You understand your national priorities, your red lines and constraints.

This moment demands concrete and meaningful progress.

Not maximalist positions but joint solutions, not finger pointing, but pragmatic engagement.

This moment calls for a recognition that the common good does not conflict with national interest, but instead arises from a careful and courageous balance between them.

Since the since the first part of this sessions ended, I have worked closely with the Bureau and the Secretariat to develop a clear, organised and tailored work plan that meets our needs at this stage.

This plan aims to help you make rapid progress and complete the negotiations process by August 14, leading to an effective agreement.

I thank you for your support to the Chair's Scenario note published on July 11th.

It outlines A practical approach designed to enable a steadfast advance, encourage collective ownership, and lead to concrete outcomes.

Success will not relied only on plans.

It will depend on how we leverage those plans to work together efficiently starting today.

The early days of these resume sessions are crucial.

They should be marked by engagement, urgency, and a share understanding that every hour matters.

These days, we'll set the rhythm, tone, and foundation for the final push toward achieving a successful conclusion.

I urge delegations once again to approach this meeting with a spirit of collaborative engagement and increase ownership of the text.

Remember, we are not just reviewing a document.

We are setting the foundations for a globally tool that could change the future of environmental history.

And I must say, I'm confident in your contribute, in your constructive and intelligent contribution.

Contribution Assignment You are professional negotiators, experienced diplomats, and representatives of countries committed to a better future.

I have fully confidence in your ability to raise to this challenge.

I believe in your capacity to achieve meaningful results this week and beyond, to refine the text and to find workable solutions to the most difficult remaining issues.

I also want to thank and recognise the great work of our Bureau members and Co Chairs of the contact groups.

They have been taking on a demanding responsibility and I trust their ability to lead productive, solution focused discussions.

I encourage delegations to support our Co chairs efforts and empower them to help us find common ground, reach agreements, and move the process forward in good faith.

Colleagues, allow me to recall a fact that I believe is clear to all of us.

Time is of the essence.

The world awaits substantial news from Geneva.

People across continents are watching us with hope.

They relied on this process to deliver not just promises, but real results.

Let's see August 14 not as a deadline, but a but as a day of achievement.

We need to complete a historic task by August 14 with an agreement that is effective, inclusive, implementable and capable to evolving.

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I know that this won't be easy, but history is not built on comfort.

It is built on courage, teamwork and compromises.

Together, we can make this meeting truly significant.

Thank you very much.

It's now my pleasure to invite the Under Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Miss Inger Anderson, to deliver her opening remarks.

Good morning and let me start also by thanking you, dear, dear Chair Ambassador Luis Villas Valdiveso, for your extraordinary leadership.

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We would not have reached as far as we have without it.

Let me also thank you, dear Catherine Sneberger, State Secretary, for opening the doors and the warm welcome that we have received here in beautiful Geneva and in beautiful Switzerland.

And, of course, let me thank my dear colleague, Dirty Matter Philip, the Executive Secretary, who has been leading this, and of course, all the many colleagues behind her.

But most of all, allow me to thank you delegates who have worked so hard to get us to this place.

Also, allow me to express appreciation to observers for their engagement throughout.

So together, we stand here with a warm welcome to this resumed session of the negotiation of the legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

And my deep thanks to all for all the efforts that have gotten us here because almost 3 1/2 years have passed since that historic adoption at the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution 514 in 2022.

And it's now high time for Member states to get the deal over the line.

And today, this means, of course, rolling up our collective sleeves, so to speak, and getting into the contact groups.

And therefore, I will be brief.

You face 10 days of intensive negotiations.

You know this, and you know that you will have to work with hard work and long nights and determination, as you have done in all the other sessions before.

And you also know that this will require the spirit of solidarity and compromise and understanding, as you have done before.

But I believe, truly believe, that you can leave Geneva with a treaty gaveled because since Busan, you have enabled the real surge in diplomacy.

You've been engaging with one another in informal settings, in bilaterals, in regional and consultations across the regions and across viewpoints.

And that has forged approaches, ideas, and, yes, solution.

And that engagement has been critical to getting us where we are today, as is indeed the most intense process of preparation that I have ever seen, demonstrating that Member States across The Who have joined as members of this process really want this treaty.

So I thank you for this productive diplomacy, which has begun to carve out a path to a possible agreement.

Now, I do accept that this path is narrow and at times a bit precarious with a steep drop on either side.

But we are here in the Alpine country where we're used to steep drops.

So let us find the way.

Let us bind together to navigate this path.

The only way to reach destination is by going together.

I'm always inspired as I enter these halls here in Geneva.

This city is the birth place of modern multilateralism.

And while this set up of the League of Nation was far from ideal, and while many voices were excluded and unrepresented, this city set in motion and saw the setting in motion on this noble notion that countries can come together to solve problems.

And as we look out on the soaring heights of the Alps, let us reach for those heights as we take inspiration from the past but build and shape for the future.

I also invite you to draw inspiration from the establishment of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, which could provide important science for the Treaty on Plastic Pollution.

By agreeing to this panel in Punta di Leicester.

Just two months ago, Member States proved yet again that multilateralism delivers.

And now it's your turn.

As you get down to negotiating, I remind you that which you know that the world wants you to succeed.

The world wants and needs to tackle plastic pollution crisis.

People are frankly outraged by the plastic in their environment.

They are worried.

They're watching, and rightly so.

Plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans and in our blood streams, and the plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow.

And if we continue as we are right now, then we will see plastic pollution growing even more, with significant consequences for the environment, for economy, as yet, indeed for human health.

I know that you know this, and I also know that you know that it is in your hands to get this done and make sure that we get this treaty gambled.

It is in your hands to protect ourselves, the environment and future generations.

It is in your hands to turn the Plastics Pollution challenge into an opportunity of solutions and new beginnings.

And I want to assure you that we at Junip, we will be there to support you.

But ultimately, of course, the path is paved by you.

So I ask you to reach across the aisle and start crafting the chairs text into that final agreement.

One that draws on the many areas of convergence.

One that starts with real strength, but also includes the hooks for future developments, and one that sets the world on a path to end plastic pollution forever.

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I thank the Executive Director of UNI for her remarks.

I have now the pleasure of inviting the Director of the Federal Office for the Environment of Switzerland, Miss Catherine Schneeberger, our host country, to deliver her opening remarks.

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Chair, Madam Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, dear, in your Madam Executive Secretary of the Inc on Plastic Pollution, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, it is a great pleasure for Switzerland to host these pivotal negotiations.

With the objective of finalising A treaty text to put an end to plastic pollution, I am delighted to welcome you to Geneva, a city that embodies dialogue, cooperation and the commitment to multilateralism.

Geneva is a global hub for environmental governance, particularly in the field of chemicals and waste.

The reason that brings us together is clear.

We want to end plastic pollution, we want to protect human health and our environment, and we want to do that now.

However, we must also acknowledge that multilateralism is facing challenges.

Geopolitical tensions and financial crisis can sometimes hinder our ability to act collectively.

Let's demonstrate to the world that multilateralism is effective.

Let's demonstrate to the world that countries are willing to find sustainable solutions.

And let's write history again in the Palais de Nacion Excellencies, dear colleagues, writing history means engaging constructively, taking collective action and delivering concrete results.

In the coming days, we have the opportunity to do just that, by negotiation, by negotiating core elements of an effective plastic treaty, and by finding comprehensive solutions and measures across the full life cycle of plastics to address plastic pollution effectively.

But in doing so, we must bear one fundamental fact in mind.

Plastic pollution knows no borders.

It is that.

It is what we call transpoundary pollution.

It moves with rivers, oceans, wind and trade.

What is produced and discarded in one country can have devastating consequences thousands of kilometres away, harming ecosystems and communities that played no part in its creation.

Because of its transpoundary nature.

Nature plastic pollution cannot be addressed by any one country alone.

Even the most ambitious national policies will fall short unless they form part of a coherent and coordinated global effort.

This is why we need a legally binding international treaty.

A treaty that is inclusive, science based and robust, A treaty that unites all countries around share objectives and responsibilities, and a treaty that supports implementation on the ground.

Plastic pollution is a global problem that demands a global solution.

Dear colleagues, all eyes are on Geneva as we work to deliver a historic outcome.

A successful Inc 5.2 will not only be essential to mitigate the environmental, social and economic threats posed by plastic pollution, but it will also send a strong signal for multilateralism.

In this context, Geneva's existing expertise and structure are significant.

I wish us a productive negotiations, a spirit of openness, and a session that raises to meet the urgency of the challenges before us and the hopes that bring us together.

I thank you for your attention.

I thank the Director of the Federal Office for the Environment of Switzerland for her remarks.

And now I would like to invite our Executive Secretary, Miss Jyoti Mathur Philip, to provide her opening remarks.

Thank you Chair Ambassador Louis Vyaspaldivierso, Chair of the Inc, Miss Inger Anderson, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, and Under Secretary General of the UN Excellency Miss Catherine Sheenberger, Director of Switzerland's Federal Office for the Environment.

Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, it is an honour to welcome you to the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution.

I begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to Switzerland for hosting us for Inc 5.2.

I would also like to express my appreciation to our colleagues here at the UN Office of Geneva for their incredible support and tireless efforts in facilitating the arrangements that have made this session possible.

My deepest gratitude to the Chair of the Inc for his leadership throughout his Band-Aid since taking this very difficult mantle at IN C3IN, Nairobi in 2023, and to his incredible team too.

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I would also like to thank Ambassador Gustavo Meza Quadra for his leadership till Inc 3.

And of course, my deepest thank you to Miss Anderson for her guiding hand keeping us steady through through all the turbulent and calm waters over the last three years.

From Uniya 5.2 where this historic process began to Inc 5.2, we see not only symmetry in numbers but also in our strengthened resolve.

What was set in motion in Nairobi has weathered complexities, moments of challenge and hard won progress, and it is precisely the shared endurance that strengthens our resolve and brings us determined and forward-looking to this historic hall today and the birth place of modern multilateralism.

I'm deeply grateful to the members of the Committee for your steadfast commitment over the past three years.

My gratitude also extends to observer organisations whose ongoing engagement, deep expertise and valuable insights reinforce the essential importance of inclusive and collaborative environmental multilateralism.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge with great appreciation the donors whose generous voluntary contributions have been indispensable to the work of the Inc and it's sessions and including the intersessional work and Head of Delegation meetings.

Our thanks go to the governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and to the European Commission.

Thank you so much Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

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This these next 10 days we have arrived here in Geneva with over 3700 participants from 184 members of the committee and 619 observer organisations registered to attend Inc 5.2.

Once again, I am proud to say that we have brought together an experienced team from many different UNEP divisions, multilateral environment agreements, and of course, the Conference Services and UN Security teams to support this session alongside the extremely dedicated colleagues of the Inc Secretariat.

On this note, may I also remind you that the UN Code of Conduct applies to all UN meetings and you will find this conduct available on the website.

As always, you have our full support, the team's full support that is here to help you over the next two days and being hosted at the Palais des Nacion Situates Inc 5.2.

Within a long tradition of crucial multilateral negotiations, diplomatic breakthroughs and international legal frameworks.

It is my hope that this session will now also be part of that legacy.

And as I know you are impatient to start work, I will conclude by inviting you to envision 15th of August, a day when the world awakens unified with an international instrument to end plastic pollution crafted through our collective determination, dialogue and shared commitment over these past three years.

I hope this vision will be able to guide you over the next days.

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Thank you, Executive Secretary, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Before I close this opening segment, I would like to voice my appreciation to Miss Asha Challenger for her work as rapporteur of our process.

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That said, please allow a 5 minute break for our dignitaries to leave the podium and distinguish delegates.

Please remain seated.

Thank you very much.

Could you please take your seats.

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We are going to start our meeting or restart our meeting.

Please take your seats.

Distinguish delegates further to my consultations with members during the former Heads of Delegation meeting and the original consultations and as I have outlined in my scenario note, I invite members, regional groups and groups of members to submit any statement by writing through the Inc in Session document platform, which is not available.

This is in the interest, sorry.

This is in the interest of time and with the firm conviction that our work in the contact groups needs to have as much time as possible.

Furthermore, I strongly believe that specific and technical interventions by members can be made most effectively in the contact groups.

Before we proceed with the next agenda item, I would like to invite the Secretariat to provide some logistical information.

Secretariat, you have the floor.

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Chair, Distinguished delegates.

The plenary session is being live streamed in to Rooms 18 and 19 in all UN official languages to accommodate the overflow from the Assembly Hall.

Both these rooms are located in Building A.

The plenary meetings can be followed via the live stream on the UN Web TV.

Live stream links are available on the Inc 5.2 web page.

Regarding the use of microphones on the plenary floor.

To request the floor, please press the button on the microphone once the light will turn green.

When the chair gives you the floor, the technician will turn on your microphone and the light will turn red.

A timer will be displayed on the screen.

Delegates are kindly requested to adhere to the allocate time when taking the floor.

Please speak clearly and in dictation speed to facilitate interpretation.

As for the Chair scenario.

Note, written statements in PDF format can be uploaded to the In Session Documents Platform and will in turn be published on the Inc website.

Guidance on the use of the platform is available in the instruction manual previously shared with delegations.

The In Session Documents Platform will be open this morning and will close by close of business on Thursday, August 8th, 7th August.

Dedicated seating for observers in plenary will be available on first come, first served basis.

Therefore, observers are kindly requested to coordinate amongst themselves so that those who would like to speak are given priority access to the to the plenary floor to deliver their statement.

For time efficiency, Observers are encouraged to deliver joint statements on behalf of alliances, coalitions and groups.

We will be operating a dedicated queuing system for Observers interventions using a QR code.

Instructions on how to use the system have been made available on the dedicated Observers seats on the ground floor of this plenary hall.

Meeting documents are available on the Inc 5.2 web page.

A live daily schedule is accessible by the Plastic Pollution Negotiations mobile app as well as on the Inc 5.2 website.

Delegations are encouraged to download this app.

The same schedule will appear on the electronic screens inside the venue.

We wish to remind you that the Swiss Federal Council, the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and the Executive Council of the City of Geneva will be hosting a welcome reception this evening from 6:15 PM, which will be held directly behind this Assembly Hall in the Curc de N.O.R.E.

Finally, a few words on our venue.

The venue will be accessible between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily.

Members of the committee can access the venue via the via the Peace Gate between 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM daily.

After 8:00 PM, no entry is allowed.

An exit is only possible via the Preni Gate.

More detailed information can be found in the Inc 5.2 Information Load for participants.

The schedule for payment of DSA for funded delegates is available in the Inc 5.2 Information Note for participants as well.

The name of the open Wi-Fi network in the venue is The Public Wi-Fi is the Public Dash Wi-Fi Dash Unog.

Lunch breaks are scheduled every day from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

They are catering facilities in Building A and Building E.

The list of the opening hours of each catering point is available in the Inc 5.2 Information note for participants as well as in the mobile app under information.

Delegates are reminded that food and drinks are strictly not allowed in any of the meeting rooms in this venue.

Bottled water with the necessary precaution are permitted.

The tap water in the venue is safe to drink and poses no health risks.

Delegates can therefore use tap water to refill their bottles.

A lost and found counter is located at the reception desk of Building A.

This meeting is striving to be single use plastics free.

We call on you delegates to also do your part.

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Chair and I thank you Secretariat.

And this concludes our consideration of Agenda Item 1, Distinguished Delegates.

The Committee will now resume its consideration of agenda item 3C on the organisation of work.

You will recall the committee consider so item 3B on the adoption of of agenda for the session.

During the first part of the fifth session, the Committee adopted the agenda for the session as containing document UNEP slash BP/IN C dot 5/1, which has now been issued as document UNEP slash PP/IN C .1 slash 1 slash Rev .1.

The annotated agenda for the second part of the session has been issued as document Universe slash PP/IN C .5 slash 1 slash Rev .1 slash AT .1.

You will also recall that the committee consider agenda item 2 on the election of officers and elected a Vice Chair from the Asia Pacific States Group.

I'm pleased to inform you that at this stage there are no further developments under this agenda item.

With that regard, the agenda item 3A on the adoption of the Rules of Procedure, you will recall that we also consider this item at the beginning of our session, 5th, and there are no new developments under this item.

I want to recall that in accordance with the decision of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee at its first session, the draft Rules of Procedure are set out in the document universe slash PP/IN C dot 5/3 continue to apply to its work on provisional basis, with the exception of the bracket text in Rule 37.

You will also recall that at the second session, the committee decide to adopt the following interpretive statement relating to Rule 38, paragraph one on the draft rules or procedure.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee understands that, based on discussions on the draft Rules of Procedure for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, there are different differing views among Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee members on Rule 38, paragraph one and it's reflection in the report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the work of its first session.

Therefore, the provisional application of Rule 38, paragraph one of the draft Rules of Procedure has been a subject of debate.

In the event that Rule 38, paragraph one is involved before the rules are formally adopted, Members will recall this lack of agreement.

I trust that we will complete our work here in Geneva in a spirit of good faith and cooperation.

I count on your support to ensure that we can work together constructively and effectively.

Distinguished Delegates, I will now outlined the organisational work for the second part of the fifth session as contained in the scenario Note for the Resume session issued as document UNEP slash PP/IN C .5 slash EMF/13.

Given the limited amount of time available to us at this resume session for the completion of our negotiation process, it is essential that we organise our work with the aim to promoting a successful session that delivers on the mandate of UNITA Resolution 514.

Our entire approach to the organisation of our work must be guided by the objective of completing our negotiations by achieving agreement on the text of an international legally binding instrument and identifying any issues for consideration by the diplomatic conference.

We should focus on bridging remaining gaps, resolving differences and finding a common way forward in achieving agreement on the text of the instrument.

The Committee might also wish to consider reflecting in the report of the session any issues that might need to be considered by the conference of the Party.

I have been consulting with members, including through regular Bureau meetings and the former Heads of Delegation meetings on 30 June to 2nd July 2025 and on July 18 on the most effective way to organise our work to support the finalisation of the text of the instrument at this resume session.

Based on these consultations and our common objectives, I'm proposing the organisation of work as follows.

As you will recall, the Committee agree that the draft text circulated by the Chair on 1st December last year will be used as the starting point for negotiation of the future instrument at the resume session.

This is without prejudice of the right of any Member to propose additions, deletions or modifications to the text during the session and that the negotiations will be conducted on the basis of the principle of that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

I will therefore like to emphasise and make it clear from the outside that the starting point for the negotiations in the contact groups is the draft text that was circulated on 1st December.

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Let me first address the contact groups.

As you will recall, during the first part of the session in Busan, the committee established 4 contact groups, each with a clear defined mandate covering the specific clusters of issues and appointed their respective coaches.

I propose that these four contact groups continue their work at this resume session.

The mandates of the contact groups remain generally as agreed at the starting of our session in Busan with one fine tuning base on the consultations we had during the former Heads of Delegation meeting and with the Bureau and as outlined it in my scenario note.

I have also noted in my scenario note that two of the Co chairs original appointed in the first part of the session to facilitate the contact groups are no longer available to serve in this capacity.

I wish to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to Mr Boaci of Ghana and Miss Mingyung of the Republic of Korea for their contribution to the work of the Committee in their capacity as Contact Group coaches.

After consultations, I propose that the Committee appoint Mr Peter Justice Derry of Ghana as Co Chair of Contact Group 2 and Mr Go Kobayashi of Japan as Co chair of Contact Group 4.

Thus the Co chairs of the contact groups will be as follows.

Contact Group One will be Co chaired by Mr Axel Bergman of Germany and Miss Marie Angelica Ikeda of Brazil.

Contact Group 2 will be Co chaired by Miss Julia Toika of Finland and Mr PT Peter Derry of Ghana.

Contact Group 3 will be Co chaired by Miss Kate Lynch of Australia and Miss Gwen Cesar of Palau and Contact Group 4 will be Co chaired by Mr Lindroy Christian of Antigua and Barbuda and Mr Goku Bayashi of Japan.

I trust that you will join me in extending your full support to these Co chairs who will guide the contact groups work over the coming days.

I hope this is agreeable to everyone.

Thank you very much.

I wish to congratulate therefore Mr Derry of Ghana and Mr Kobayashi of Japan on their appointment as Co Chairs.

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I also wish to extend my appreciation to all the other Co Chairs for continuing to undertake this important task of facilitating our negotiations for all issues within their mandate.

The contact groups will first conduct textual negotiations and make proposals for consideration of the committee and second time per meeting and if needed identify any issues were relevant for consideration by the Diplomatic Conference.

I would like to emphasise that the priority of our work this week is delivering concrete negotiation outcomes to finalise the text of the instrument.

In undertaking the work and negotiating the text, the Contact Groups should use the relevant sections of the draft text circulated on 1st December as the starting point and, as relevant, referred to any breaching text proposals that have been made by members.

The Contact Groups will be expected to regularly make available the text produce during the next four days.

The outcomes from the Contact Groups as of Friday 8th of August will be assembled by the Secretariat into a single document which will be made available for the Plenary on Saturday 9th August as a conference room paper.

Our inter interim goal is to have an assembled document ready by Friday and I expect everyone to work towards this objective.

For this assembled document, each contact group will be expected to present draft texts that is as clean as possible across the articles within this mandate, having gone through several iterations of copulation texts during IN CS-34 and 5.1.

At this stage, collective ownership needs to be the guidance light.

Work in the contact groups must move in light with advancing the development of texts, with a view of reaching an agreement by the end of the resume session.

For these purposes of this assembled document, the contact groups are expected to provide by Friday evening, 8 August, a text of which there is convergence that could be forward by the plenary to the Legal drafting Group B.

Any text requiring further work and its status, as well as proposed ways forward for resolving differences and see were relevant.

Any issue to be raised the by the Committee to consideration by the Diplomatic Conference.

I would like to emphasise that this assemble document will provide a snapshot of the status of the negotiations and will not be the final document.

Therefore, I do not expect any textual negotiations on this assembled document at the Stock Take Plenary meeting on Saturday.

For the Stock Take plenary, I have 3 expectations.

Firstly, that the committee will be in a position to transmit a number of articles to the Legal drafting group with the understanding that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

Secondly, that the committee will not.

The committee will not articles that have overall convergence, but they still require some refinement before they can be transmitted to the legal drafting group.

Lastly, that the committee will take note of the few articles with remaining open issues.

With this in mind, I expect the committee will then be able to determinate the most appropriate modalities of work to enable us to focus on critical issues and make the necessary progress to finalise the text.

Each contact group should have the flexibility to organise its work in the most effective manner possible to foster convergence and further development the draft text of the instrument across all areas within its mandate.

It will also be important to ensure a degree of consistency in the method of work across the contact groups.

I request the Co chairs to provide clarity at the outset of their approach to the conduct of their work to ensure that textual negotiations can progress as effectively as possible in the contact groups.

It is important that the Co Chairs actively facilitate the further development of texts and it is also important that the text coming from the contact group to the plenary should have shared ownership by the group.

Active engagement among members themselves, including through informal consultations to facilitate dialogue, explore solutions and formulate possible landing zones is essential.

Any proposal presented during this resume session should be focusing on areas where open issues remain and should be aimed at bridging gaps and facilitating convergence.

Members wishing to present such a bridging proposals for consideration in the relevant contact group are strongly encouraged to summit them jointly and after consultations with other members.

For bridging proposals to be considered, they also need to be presented orally and negotiated in the contact groups.

Bridging proposals might be submit on the In Session Document Platform as informed by the Secretariat.

In the In Session Document Platform will open this morning and will close by close of business on Thursday 7th of August.

Contact groups should have the flexibility to resort to different working modalities as needed, including through informal settings to develop texts that will bridge positions to achieve solutions.

Any outcomes of such an informal work by members should be reported to the contact groups in full for its consideration.

I'm aware that there are several cross cutting issues that are related to a number of articles.

I encourage contact groups to coordinate on such a issues, including through the Co chairs and when appropriate, in consultations with me, the Chair.

Turning now to the legal drafting group, I would like to remind delegates that this open-ended group established at our fourth session remains in place.

Its mandate is to conduct a review of the draft text forward to it by the Committee for Legal Soundness and Consistency and to provide recommendations on the wording without reopening substantive policing discussions.

The Committee also agreed that in its work the Legal Drafting Group will not consider policy issues and any policy issues is it might identified in the course of its work will be referred back to the Committee.

The meetings of the Legal Drafting Group will be convened by the Co chairs, Miss Anik Bodwan of Canada, Mr Jean Kefak of Cameroon and Mr Ayad Al Kubra of Saudi Arabia.

As and when needed the to consider draft text refer to it by the committee.

I would like to remain to remind delegates that the legal drafting group is not a negotiating body nor is it a decision making body.

What the group does is present recommendations on the legal, legally sound wording for consideration by the Committee in plenary.

It is ultimately the Committee that agrees on text.

We should endeavour to refer draft text as early as possible to the legal drafting group.

I therefore invite contact groups when working on the text during the next several several days to flag in their reports to the plenary any provision that they consider sufficiently developed to be reviewed by the legal drafting group.

I want to emphasise that forwarding text for legal review does not imply that this text is fully agreed.

As always, we are guided by the principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

On the schedule for this resume session.

The overall plan for the week is Annex to my scenario note and has been published on this session website.

Two or more contact groups might also agree to join the discuss matters within their respective Mondays as needed.

During our plenary meeting on Saturday morning 9th August 2025.

We will need to collectively take stock in light of the outcomes of the contact groups work in the first four days and assess the progress made.

With that, we will consider any adjustments to the modalities of work to allow us to focus on avenues and options to achieve agreement on open issues.

At this meeting on Saturday, each contact group will be expected to report on any draft text that could be referred to the legal drafting group and on the state of play of any outstanding issue within its mandate.

And I wish to reiterate that no more than two contact groups meetings will be scheduled in parallel.

In addition, I scheduled for the for days one to four has been published.

While specific time periods are proposed to be tentatively allocated for meetings of each of the four Contact groups up to including day three seven August 20, 2025.

The excited schedule will need to be reviewed as negotiation progress to reflect the actual needs of each Contact Group.

[Other language spoken]

I have had numerous consultations on the schedule for this resume session with members and regions.

Based on those consultations, I have strive to allocate time in balanced manner across all contact groups.

These schedule of Contact Groups meetings will be updated daily and made available on the website and through the app in the evening of the previous day.

The next plenary is currently scheduled for Saturday 9th of August.

At this point we might need to consider any adjustments to the modalities of work to allowed us to focus on avenues and options to achieve agreement on open issues.

There will also be the opportunity for plenary meetings to be convened over the course of the week as needed.

Sunday 10th August is a reserve day without any formal meetings to allow for informal consultation about among members.

I encourage members to utilise this time to continue their informal dialogues and breaching proposals.

I also encourage regions to make use of this time to consult amongst themselves and identify solutions to the remaining open issues.

The schedule for Monday 11th through Thursday 14th of August will be developed over the course of the resume session.

Taken into account the progress achieved to allowed us to focus on outstanding issues to finalise the resume sessions successfully under agenda item four.

[Other language spoken]

I will also like to propose that during the plenary on Thursday 14 August 2025, the Committee considers the text of the instrument with a view of its formal approval.

Next, let me outline the indicative plan for the remaining agenda items.

[Other language spoken]

Next, let me outline the indicative plan for the remaining agenda items.

It was good with the water.

In the plenary of Thursday 14th of August.

We will also consider agenda item 5 on other matters.

Should there be any issue that the Committee might wish to refer for the consideration of the diplomatic conference for its consideration, this can be addressed under this agenda item.

I will also invite the Executive Director of UNEF to inform the Committee on the next steps regarding the diplomatic conference under this agenda item.

Further, under this agenda item, I will invite the Secretariat to present the practise on how approved texts of treaties are review for minor editorial adjustments, as well as the process through which all language versions can be verified.

Should any Member wish to raise any other matters under this item, I invite you to inform me at this plenary meeting.

During the plenary meeting on Thursday 14 of August, the Committee will also consider agenda item 6 on the adoption of the report of the session.

You will recall that at the end of the first part of the fifth session, the Committee adopted the report for the first part of the session contained in document UNEF slash PP/IN C dot 5/8 on the basis of the draft report that had been circulated.

On the understanding that the Committee will be invited to adopt the remainder of the report once drafted and circulated to all members at the resume fifth session.

In this connection, the Committee will be invited to consider and adopt the reminder of the report of the work of the first part of the fifth session under this agenda item and the draft report for the second part of the session, capturing the early parts of the proceedings and discussions during the resumed session.

Finally, on Thursday 14 August, the Committee will consider agenda item 7 at the closing of the session.

I believe that this mode of operation, built on the basis of discussions in the Bureau dialogues with members, including in the former Heads of Delegation meetings, will allowed us to be most productive over the next 10 days.

I take it that we can proceed together with the approach just outlined it.

It's Saudi Arabia, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

On behalf of the Arab Group, I would like to make a statement regarding the working methods.

Change the language here.

[Other language spoken]

This one here.

[Other language spoken]

I'm sorry for that.

Say the Rice legend to follow the duel Chairman.

Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the 20 Member States of the Arab Group and over 440 million people, I have the honour to deliver this statement.

We're convinced that the mandate in resolution 5/14 is extremely important.

It will allow us to work for a common goal.

This means to tackle plastic pollution.

This resolution is the basis for our work and it recognises the specific circumstances of developing countries and their level of development.

The resolution also insists on common but differentiated responsibilities between developed and developing countries.

It also considers certain circumstances, as evoked in the Rio Declaration.

With regard to our working methods, we're worried about Article 6.

It has been included in the programme of work for contact groups.

This is despite repeated appeals from various groups, including some which are in favour of the article.

We believe that we should put off discussion.

This was also an call which was made during the meeting of heads of delegations.

We do not agree with that article, but we respect your position, Chair, and we will participate in dates with a constructive spirit.

But if we don't manage to reach a consensus on this issue, then we would like to make an appeal to the committee to swiftly move on with other issues instead of continuing our debates on more controversial issues.

So we believe that we could deal with controversial issues in unofficial meetings instead of debating them in the contact groups there.

[Other language spoken]

We believe that we must hold negotiations so that we can build trust between all parties.

We would like to insist in fact on having a clear and transparent mechanism for organising informal meetings.

They would be organised by the parties and can play an important role.

However, too many informal meetings could overburden delegations, particularly small delegations.

This means to say that they would not be able to participate effectively.

In addition, informal meetings should be organised bearing in mind the practicalities.

There must be a clear timetable so that each and every one of us can take part.

Furthermore, the Arab group would like to make another request.

All contact group meetings should be concluded by 9:00 PM at the latest each day.

This is extremely important for delegations that are small in number.

This is because these delegations will have to tackle a number of challenges if they're to effectively participate in all meetings.

If we have reasonable working hours, this means that we will be able to hold effective negotiations and ensure that there is effective and efficient participation by all delegations.

This will enable us to achieve the best possible outcomes in these important negotiations.

The Arab Group stands ready to work constructively so that we can achieve A balanced and efficient treaty that will enable us to make progress for the benefit of all peoples of the world.

Thank you very much.

There was no any questions.

I thank you very much, Saudi Arabia.

I now give the floor to Ghana.

[Other language spoken]

Ghana, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

I make this intervention on behalf of the African group of negotiators.

Africa has requested multiple times for contact groups one and three not to meet or run simultaneously.

Although the largest UN group, Africa remains a region of multiple small delegations, underfunded and overstretched.

In the spirit of inclusivity and transparency, we demand our requests be taken into account and the schedule be adjusted accordingly to ensure that contact Groups one and three do not meet simultaneously.

Indeed, the AGN is unable to participate in the contact group discussions if this issue is not resolved.

I thank you, Chair, and I thank you very much.

Ghana, go to Marshall Islands now.

I would like to give the floor to Marshall Islands.

Please accidentally press the button Chair.

[Other language spoken]

I'm sorry for that mistake and and now Angola, please.

[Other language spoken]

Something is happening.

Let me check with the secretariat because I have a list of speakers here and well, we will check immediately.

Now the list of speakers is gone.

Sorry for that.

I thank you very much and I thank you very much for for your comments and also for the constructive way that you are approaching to this session.

We have work actually quite hard on those schedule and trying to find the perfect balance and perfect weight also in sequence of the the different articles.

That's why we are presenting the schedule for the 2 first days.

And as I have mentioned before, with the flexibility giving in the contact groups also to discuss about this.

What I will propose is to take the schedule as we have presented and we will review and take of course into consideration the comments and also the proposals that you have present from the African group to 40 days after this the work starting from day from day three.

And also we reconsider the schedule for for tomorrow, actually for day 2, depending also seeing what you mentioned of not having this talk contact groups at the same time, 1:00 and 3:00.

[Other language spoken]

On the schedule as it has been presented.

Thank you very much.

Oh, Ghana, please, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Chair, I do want to remind you that this request was made during the Heads of Delegations meeting because there was the same challenge.

And I do recall that's in plenary, you gave us your word that the core facilitators will handle it.

Join the contact group discussions.

It's never happened.

And the two groups met simultaneously.

May I kindly request, Chair, that we get a resolution to this before we move into contact groups.

I thank you and I thank you very much Ghana.

Yes, I think we can revise.

Let me just give me some minutes to to do so and I come back to you.

Thank you very much, dear colleagues, and thank you very much to the African Group.

My task as Chair is also to give this possibilities and as a principle guiding our negotiations, that you members feel comfortable in this negotiations and also in the contact groups.

So we will, we are working and we have proposal.

So a contact Group 1 and 3 won't meet at the same time.

Instead it will be contact group two and three meeting at the same time and then contact, contact, contact Group One and four meeting at the same time.

So we change 344 today and also tomorrow.

I hope that that will be agreeable for everyone.

We have Iran, but the person is voting Iran, you have the floor.

Thank you very much.

Iran, have you asked for the floor?

Yes, thank you very much.

Please, you have the floor.

Good morning, colleagues.

Since this is the first time that we have the floor, I wish to appreciate you and also the IC Secretariat as well as the Government of Switzerland for giving us another opportunity to sit together and try to resolve outstanding issues with the hope that we could conclude these negotiations in this conference.

Since a part of my concerns have been raised previously by distinguished speakers of African Group, Ghana and also Saudi Arabia, I do not repeat them and thank you very much for the resolution of simultaneously contact group meetings.

My suggestion is with respect to Diplomatic Conference and the references for raising some issues for consideration by the Diplomatic Conference Since the issues for consideration by the Diplomatic Conference should be limited to the areas agreed upon during Inc 5/2 which need to be highlighted in the draft resolution.

And such issues shall in no way determine any agenda, including the discussion on substantial issues between the Diplomatic Conference and the first CUP meeting of the future instrument and or prejudge the first COP decision on its priority areas of work, including establishment of any subsidiary bodies, annexes, list of possible products and substances, targets and timelines.

So the Diplomatic Conference should be of ceremonial nature and nothing more than it.

And we expect that we can stick to this understanding, since this is exactly the language of Article 12 of the Union Resolution 5/14, which only requests the Executive Director to convene the diplomatic conference for the purpose of adopting the instrument and opening it for signature.

[Other language spoken]

All right.

Thank you very much to Iran.

Now I would like to give the floor to the United States of America, the US, please.

You have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Good morning, colleagues.

Let me start by expressing my thanks to you Chair, and also to you nap for all the work you've done in advance of this meeting to get us prepared.

I just wanted to ask for a little bit of clarification.

So with respect to the proposal to swap the organisation of the contact groups, I maybe just have a couple questions about this.

In principle to us, we're we're actually quite flexible.

The the issue is we prepared for the meeting using the scenario note proposed as we understood it by the Chair and endorsed.

We had understood in the Bureau meetings and and thus we have brought a team here that is actually prepared and we have certain people that bounce in between contact groups that have prepared for the meeting and the negotiations with the particular pairing that had been proposed for us to use at the meeting.

So we're going to need just a couple of minutes to, we just need a little bit of time here to actually think through what this means.

As I said, I don't think in principle this wouldn't have been a problem for us, but it's not the way that we prepared for the meeting precisely because it's not the way that had been proposed.

So that's the first thing.

We need just a couple minutes to sort through this.

Secondly, Chair, I would actually like to hear and understand better from you to have a more detailed readout of what it was that the Bureau did in taking up this issue.

So normally the Bureau is the group that we as the parties, sorry, as as the Member States entrusts with working through the organisational details like this.

The Bureau has regional representation.

And so the idea is that the Bureau comes together.

There should be regional buy in, not on substance, but as it relates to having a good clear agreed process that everybody understands moving forward, rather than say what we're doing right now, which is debating the actual process as an organisation of contact group schedules in the plenary session.

In fact, to us that's the fundamental and core task of the Bureau for efficiency, to be able to to organise ourselves using the structure of the Bureau.

So perhaps could I, as we take a moment internally in our delegation to talk about how we are reorganising ourselves.

Much like the Africa Group said, this current schedule presents some problems to them.

Just to be honest, we would have expected that to be raised in the Bureau, debated there and it would have been much easier to try to find solutions to this issue in the Bureau itself, which does is the actual purpose of the Bureau.

So I'd specifically request, Chair, that you provide us some flavour of what went on in the Bureau that has LED us to where we are.

And this delegation and perhaps others will then have a few minutes to sort of give a little bit of consideration to this proposal to to change the organisation from what we expected coming into this meeting.

And then finally, Chair, could I ask you to please clarify specifically, I, I had heard Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Arab Group, make a suggestion with respect to Article 6.

Could you please clarify?

And it was a procedural related request as I understood it.

If I could ask you to please clarify our path forward on that.

[Other language spoken]

And I thank you.

the US, the United States.

Now I give the floor to Iraq.

[Other language spoken]

You have the floor and and now of the Thank you, Mr Chairperson.

My delegation would like at the outset to express its high gratitude for your able organisation and leadership of this meeting.

And we would also like to thank and appreciate the State of Switzerland for their efforts in the generous hosting of this important meeting and for all the facilitation made to the different delegations.

I would like to commend the exceptional preparations by UNIP as well and the Executive Secretariat for all the efforts undertaken to facilitate this meeting at the time when my delegation would like to support the statement on behalf of the Arab Group by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Especially with regard to item six of your text, which in our opinion, does not include a substance that is in direct relation to the title of the item, which is supporting consumer and and production processes.

And here we would like to support substantive discussions in this regard.

We are keen at this meeting to meet great deal and to achieve an agreement with regard to plastic pollution that is balanced and that includes joint responsibilities and roles.

This can only be achieved with a spirit of flexibility and realism, and we need to abandon all prejudices that are not directly related to the core issues of plastic pollution.

We are all after one aim and we need to put aside our differences in order to achieve consensus.

Important principles such as the sovereign right of the use of natural resources of each country and the differentiated responsibility between developed and developing nations, these are all core elements that will enable success.

And this has been the case for all those who preceded us in this process.

I will leave aside all the technical aspects of our interventions.

Mr Chairperson, to all the respective contact groups.

Thank you, Mr Chairperson, and I thank you, Iraq.

And now I will give the floor to Senegal, please.

[Other language spoken]

You have the phone, Messi.

Thank you very much, Chair, and good morning to everybody.

My delegation would like to begin by thanking Switzerland for hosting this important conference, and we do hope that it will lead to success here in Geneva.

We align ourselves with the statement made by Ghana on behalf of the Africa Group regarding contact Groups one and three, and they're meeting simultaneously.

the United States are right to have raised that issue and to have referred to the Bureau.

And in fact, that is why we're also taking the floor now in our capacity as representative of Africa in the Bureau.

This was raised within Bureau following a letter sent to the Secretariat and the Chair by Ghana.

So Africa has submitted its views to the Bureau and we do expect those views to be taken into account.

I think that when delegates or representatives of groups take the floor and express concerns, those concerns should be taken into account.

This might not be the right place to do so, but it is an issue that could have been addressed some time ago.

But we accept the proposal made by the Chair regarding the contact groups so as to address the issue of Contact groups one and three meeting simultaneously.

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, I thank you very much, Senegal.

I thank you very much, dear colleagues for your your comments.

It has taken us three years to come here to Geneva and we are few days to make history and to start working as soon as possible to make that possible.

About the organisational work, it has been brought to the Bureau.

We've been working together with the Bureau about the organisational work for this resume session.

It was also presented draft a scenario note to the to the members of the Bureau also to work on that clear pictures or to say for this for this session.

Based on those discussions, prolonged discussions, prolonged meetings also with the Bureau on organisation of work.

The Secretariat and I will work on the schedule that we have presented.

We have received also and thank you very much to the African group and from Ghana the coordination their proposals and the proposals could be adjust with too much moving of the schedules because we are moving the the, the, the the provisions that are were going to be considered the same day for today and tomorrow for today and tomorrow and that's the proposal.

So we are just in that sense of Group 1 and Group 2, sorry, Group 1 and Group 3 will meet at the same time and that also could apply for tomorrow and it's the same tomorrow is just to change to swapped two of the contact groups to have the also the to take the proposal from Africa not to meet at the same time.

One and three about Article 6 and any other provision that we are going to deal with in the contact groups.

We have to give it the chance of negotiation.

We have to start from some place and my proposal as you have seen the scenario note is that we cover all provisions in these four days, all provisions.

And I have mentioned also in my in my remarks here in plenary that any issue that will required extra discussions also the contact groups and the Co chairs of the contact groups will have that flexibility to identify the need of an informal setting to start working with those specific issues.

[Other language spoken]

We are meeting the Bureau every day in a daily basis to.

Assessed to evaluate our progress and accordingly to work also on the organisational work, including also the schedule.

There are different alternatives the moment you want to allocate the different articles and difficult, it's not easy to find the perfect one.

Of course there will be issues here and there, but of course we can work together with the Bureau in that in that regard.

So having said that, once again, I will propose to change the to swapped actually contact Group 4 with contact group 2 today and tomorrow.

So contact Group One and three don't meet together.

So I could where is it?

O2 and three, no.

So the schedule for today could be if you agreed that two and three work at the same time parallely this morning and 1:00 and 4:00 works in the afternoon and in the evening will be two and three today and tomorrow will be in the morning.

1:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon will be contact group two and three and in the evening it will be here 1:00 and 4:00 tomorrow.

Once again, I ask for your flexibility and constructiveness to accept this and move into the negotiation contact groups where we can also raise our ideas, our suggestions on these matters.

Brazil, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr.

[Other language spoken]

Good morning, everyone.

As it's the first time that I take the floor, may I thank you, the UNEP Secretariat and the Government of Switzerland for having us here for this final round of our negotiations.

We are always very supportive, as we have always been, of requests made by smaller delegations from developing countries, especially when it comes to having a schedule that would accommodate their their needs in terms of representation.

And the fact that having less delegates that are able to participate in some discussions lead us to having some reforms or changes in our schedule that would best accommodate them.

Brazil has always defended consensus as a mode of work here in the Inc and elsewhere, and we believe that the best way to achieve consensus is to be very inclusive and to have all delegations as possible.

In all our discussions, we're also mindful of the fact that it was pointed out by another delegation that there might be a need to have some time in order to reorganise the work of each delegate.

So of course I think we can always make room for that as well.

But just to say that we support not only your decision but the request from the African group, what I would propose further in order for us, because this, this is already a change, so people will have to adapt to it, that we don't change the order of provisions in each contact group because then it would, we would be creating a lot of havoc.

So I understand that the only thing that we are changing here is just having contact groups one and four meeting at the same time and two and three, but not changing the order of provisions that we will be discussing in each contact group.

I also support what you said about giving the opportunity for our contact groups to discuss all provisions.

I think this will be very much needed.

And there was 1 delegation that mentioned that it is important that everybody has access to the information about informals where members will participate.

We believe that it's important that all members are able to participate in all informals that are scheduled.

It is difficult to anticipate each and every member's interests in specific articles, so it's better just to keep it open for delegations and having this information available for everybody.

I would then probably recommend that the best way to do this is via the app and also have the reformed scheduled schedule as you decided upon now to be also available in the app so that we can all follow this on an equal basis.

Thank you very much.

I thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

I can see in the list the United States.

Would you like to take the floor again the US please?

[Other language spoken]

I think the first is having had a few moments to think about it, we are OK with changing the the pairing of the contact group so this delegation can be flexible on that.

I would just make two other points I think.

So I understand essentially you are now pairing your, your pairs are contact group two and three together and then one and four together.

Just just to say for us and probably for some other delegations that that means we're changing how we're deploying our personnel.

So our preference would be throughout the week and the negotiations that we continue to pair them in the same way, if you see what I mean.

So I did just want to say that I know you're not deciding the entire schedule of the week here.

But if we start switching them back or changing the pairings, it, it once again, I think is sort of disruptive to the coverage.

But we're we're flexible in terms of how you move forward with this.

I also appreciate your comment about the Bureau, but just that that would be my final comment as it would be our expectation that in the future that the Bureau is able to sort out.

Believe that's what you just said a few moments ago, Chair, But to talk about this scheduling to work it out in the Bureau rather than having the debate in the plenary itself.

And that was the point that I was making before.

But I just wanted to to emphasise that I think it's a much more efficient and frankly, appropriate way for us to proceed because in fact, that's why we agreed to establish the Bureau in the 1st place.

Thank you, Chair, and I thank you very much to the US for your flexibility.

Thank you very much.

And also we will be working with the Bureau as I mentioned, I can see in my list, Trinidad and Tobago, please Trinidad and Tobago, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

And regarding the matter on the revision of the scheduling, as a small team, we have organised our work and internal coordination based on the previously agreed schedule.

Each member of our two person delegation has been assigned to follow specific contact groups and thematic areas.

Accordingly, any substantive changes to this structure at this stage presents very logistical and strategic challenges for us as it disrupts our ability to effectively engage and contribute to the negotiations.

We therefore request that due consideration be given to the operational realities faced by these small delegations and urge that we maintain the consistency of the schedule to allow for meaningful and effective negotiations.

Thank you and I thank you very much, Trinidad and Tobago.

Well, thank you very much, dear colleagues and thank you also for your flexibility, your comments, all of them.

Of course, we need to take into account to keep working that way, in that constructive way during this session.

5.2 So with that change and I think with that swath of the contact groups, not the provisions of course, we I can take it this as OK, you're fine with that.

I hear no objections then it is so decided.

Thank you very much the dear colleagues.

The Committee has thus conclude is consideration of agenda item 3C on organisation of work.

[Other language spoken]

The Committee will now consider agenda item 4 on the preparation of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

As I mentioned earlier, I invite members from regional groups and groups of members to submit any statements in writing through the Inc in Session document platform, which is now available.

As I said as I sorry.

Yes, sorry for that.

Thank you very much.

As I noted in my scenario note, opportunities for observers interventions in the formal in the sorry, in the formal intergovernmental process is limited.

After statements by regional groups and groups of members, 30 minutes will be allocated to hear from observers representative representing different broad constituencies and the online document platform also will be available for observers to share written statements.

I will now open the floor for statements from observers, starting with intergovernmental organisations, followed by UN system entities and followed by non governmental organisations.

Please, and I say please limit your statements to two minutes.

We have put in place a dedicated quoting a system for observers.

Introductions of how to use the system have been made available on the dedicated server seats on the ground floor of the Plenary Hall.

Please follow these instructions if you wish to request for the floor and feel free to approach any of the Secretariat that stabbed in the room if you require assistance.

Once again, please keep your direction short and focus.

As I mentioned previously, observers speaking for alliances, coalitions and groups will be giving priority.

I see on the list the International Chamber of Commerce and will be M16.

[Other language spoken]

You have the floor, ICC.

Yeah, we will go to the next speaker that is the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

[Other language spoken]

Microphone, please.

[Other language spoken]

The catastrophic human rights impacts of a sustainable and principled plastic production are undeniable and pose an unacceptable risk.

In its recent advisory opinion of climate Change the the International Court of Justice found that states have a duty to prevent significant harm to the environment now and in the future.

An ambitious treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics must advance human rights, including the right to health, environment.

This can be achieved through 1st.

A just transition that upholds human rights and benefits people.

Disproportionality affected by plastic production and pollution.

Control of chemicals of concern in plastics and safeguards against substitutions reduction targets for plastic production and addressing legacy pollution.

Mandatory disclosure of health and safety information related to plastic production.

Equitable and affordable access by all states to the environmentally sustainable technologies with robust mechanisms to protect scientific inquiry against conflict of interest, and lastly and transparent and adequately resourced financial mechanism to support equitable implementation of the Treaty.

The Plastic Treaty should reflect human rights obligations by explicitly integrating them in Article 10 on just transition the human rights.

The human right to participation must also be upheld at Inc 5.2.

It is necessary that decisions are made in a transparent, inclusive and accountable manner with the participation of observers.

Delegates here today have the historic chance to decide measures to end plastic pollution, advance sustainable development and uphold human rights.

Thank you and I Thank you very much.

And I ask please the speakers to keep their statements within two minutes.

Now I like to give the floor to the local and some national governments Coalition to End Plastic Pollution and it's M52.

[Other language spoken]

I'm taking the floor on behalf of the Local and National governments Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, coordinated by Clayey, the Government of Quebec and the Government of Catalonia, the Global Seas Hub and more than 100 signatories.

The role and objectives of the Coalition are clear.

Since the very beginning of the Inc process, we express a strong commitment towards the adoption of an ambitious international instrument on plastic pollution that must include the decision role of local and so national governments as key actors.

The instruments needs a wall of government and wall of society approach.

We are at the front port of combating plastic pollution.

We have in depth knowledge of local issues and often have a specific legal regulatory powers and the ability to enhance implementation and enforce actions.

Therefore, the future instrument needs to have a clear recognition of local angst of national governments.

This is why we welcome the inclusion of local angst of national governments in Article 8 and 12 of the Chair's text.

The Waste Management Article 8.2 highlights the role of the national level in addressing plastic pollution and the capacity building and Multi Level Corporation Article 12.2 explicitly mentions local and international governments as partners of national governments.

We have proposed additional language which is available on the platform in annex to this statement.

It's also critical that the future secretariat of the instrument is mandated and resourced to work directly with local and international governments, not only through national challenges.

This will be vital for building capacity, coordinating action and ensuring consistent implementation.

So here our closing message.

We urge negotiators to maintain and strengthen the role of local and some national governments in the final text.

And we call for the future secretariat to be enabled to work directly with them, not just as elementors, but as partners in Co creating solutions.

Thank you very much.

I thank you very much.

Now I would like to give the floor to the Youth Plastic Action Network M40.

[Other language spoken]

We speak on behalf of the Youth Plastic Action Network, a global platform for youth engagement in the plastics tree process.

From day one, our message has been simple and urgent.

We need a treaty that protects human health, our shared ecosystems and the rights of future generations.

At this decisive moment, there is no middle ground.

We either conclude with a strong scientific driven treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, or we report back to you, NIA, that we have collectively failed to deliver on resolution 5-14.

Plastic pollution may not **** instantly, but it's already costing our lives and futures.

Today, children are born with microplastics in their blood, and microplastics are already being found in fish that are sold on grocery store shelves.

If we fail to deliver the treaty, healthcare systems will be strained under rising cancers and toxic exposures.

Billions will be spent managing pollution instead of preventing it, and oceans could hold more plastic than fish, collapsing coastal economies and food securities.

Entire industries risk becoming stranded as we delay the transition to a clean industry.

Plastic pollution does not respect borders or generations.

A weak treaty will not protect any country from the social, economic and environmental consequences that are to follow.

Many of you will not see that world, but we, the children and youth of today, your children and your grandchildren, will.

We will inherit governments that fail to act when they could, societies burdened by pollution and debt, and planetary resources pushed beyond repair.

We call on Member States, seize this moment, commit to binding, reducing reduction targets, embed human rights and intergenerational equity throughout the Treaty, and build strong financial mechanisms for implementation and capacity building.

Stand with ambition, deliver the treaty that the world desperately needs and the future deserves.

[Other language spoken]

I thank you very much for your intervention to Youth Plastic Action Network.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you, please.

I would like to give now the floor to Women's Working Group of Ending Plastic Pollution and it will be M5.

Honourable Chair, the two Indus delegates, colleagues and friends, I'm Rabe Valui from Tunisia and I will be speaking on behalf of the Women Working Group on Ending Plastic Pollution.

We gather here in Geneva today with a shared mission to end plastic pollution.

But we must be honest that this is not an environmental crisis, it's a human health emergency and it is a justice issue.

Scientific studies now confirm that microplastic have been found in human placentas on both the maternal and the foetal sites.

They have also been detected in newborns.

Forced vomit exposure begins before birth and it's consequences my last lifetime.

This is not an abstract, this is personal, this is generational.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution through caregiving, roles in formal labour and daily use of products containing toxic additives in doctoring.

Disrupting chemicals in plastics are damaging reproductive health, increasing infertility and other in doctoring diseases, as well as contributing to children being born with disabilities.

These are livid realities and yet in the current known paper, gender equality and women's right are barely mentioned.

[Other language spoken]

We must ask how can we build a treaty that protect people?

[Other language spoken]

It doesn't name those most affected.

We urge this Assembly to take bold binding action and to call for a human rights based approach to the treaty.

Limit on plastic production and a ban on chemicals and polymers of concern.

Restriction on enter recently added microplastic, including in cosmetics and clinic supplies.

A global harmonised system of chemicals.

Transparency and traceability design criteria that eliminate harmful substances Indicated financial mechanism to support global.

I thank you very much for your intervention, for your statement, dear colleagues.

Now I would like to give the floor to the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastic Pollution, and it is Mike 55.

[Other language spoken]

Chair, my name is Abraham Francis of the Gunyangkahaga, and I speak on behalf of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics, the representative voice of indigenous peoples within these negotiations.

We are disappointed in the absence of meaningful references to an affirmation of the rights of Indigenous peoples within the Chairs text and propose a media action to address this critical oversight.

We call on States to affirm and actively promote Indigenous people's rights, including our right to self determination, ensuring the full, effective, equitable and direct participation of Indigenous peoples in decision making and implementation of the Treaty as collective rights holders, not to be conflated with other stakeholders as affirmed within the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Strong measures across the full life cycle including phasing down fossil fuel extraction and production of plastics and chemicals centre Human health, planet health and justice for all harmed communities across the plastic life cycle, including just transition and development and implementation of the National Action Plan.

Establish financial mechanisms to ensure justice and enable just and equitable transition.

Establish an independent expert advisory body to inform treaty implementation that ensures the equitable and ethical participation of Indigenous peoples and knowledge holders.

For millennia, Indigenous people have lived our lives in balance with the natural world, establishing and practising non-toxic, truly circular and life giving systems.

Our ancestral wisdom and knowledge systems offer vital solutions to the plastics crisis, including other environmental crises, addressing its entire life cycle from extraction to disposable.

Thank you and I thank you very much.

Now I would like to give the floor to the International No, sorry to the Scientists Coalition for an effective Plastic Treaty M58.

The Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty are 450 independent experts from 65 countries.

58 of us are here because we're concerned that the misrepresentation of the science of plastic pollution by some will result in a treaty that is unable to protect our planet and future generations from plastic pollution.

So today we reiterate where the scientific evidence stands.

Plastic pollution, including nano micro, macro plastics, plastic chemicals and air pollutants are leaked and released along the full life cycle of plastics, starting with extraction of fossil fuel, fossil carbon and biomass feedstocks and production to plastic removal technologies.

Plastic pollution directly and indirectly harms human and environmental health, as confirmed by decades of international research, including from the biggest plastic producing countries.

To achieve an effective treaty, the science highlights the following six priorities.

First, a legally binding treaty with the scope to cover the full life cycle of plastics.

Second, mandatory obligations to prevent plastic pollution at source.

Third, adequate and accessible financial, technical and capacity to support to enable all countries to meet their treaty obligations.

4th safe and sustainable production and consumption, including phasing out groups of plastic, chemicals and products of concern.

5th, Globally harmonised criteria for essential use, safety, sustainability and transparency to provide clarity to governments and businesses, enable efficient treaty implementation and incentivise innovative, trusted, safer and more sustainable materials and markets.

Lastly, A legitimate and just treaty.

The treaty's legitimacy hinges on contributions from expert groups with broad expertise and transparency, representation and conflict of interest mitigation policies.

This will also enable just transition.

The science is undeniable.

I thank you very much.

Now I would like to give the floor to International Alliance of West Speakers, please.

International Alliance of West Speakers, you have the floor.

It's microphone 59.

[Other language spoken]

I'm one of the over 40 million waste pickers around the world.

The number continues to increase because there is unstoppable increase in plastic waste.

International alliance of waste pickers thanks.

Member states will to pursue negotiations this week on a plastics treaty.

We need it more than ever.

We're pleased to see the Chairs proposed text from last December as a basis for negotiations.

Nevertheless, we have deep concerns in the current text, which we hope to see resolved this week.

Our Article 10 on a just transition has been proposed as a voluntary provision in the latest version, despite the overwhelming support of Member States to make it obligatory.

Just transition should be compulsory, otherwise it will not be implemented.

Furthermore, we cannot achieve a just transition transition without effective funding mechanisms.

We need an independent structure from the current global environmental facility.

We need private sector contributions based on the polluter pays principle.

This is in line with the Cali Global Fund model.

We need a simplified direct mechanism which is transparent and ensures good governance and accountability.

A significant proportion should be allocated to needs identified by waste pickers, cooperation cooperatives and other groups.

They should not be seen merely as beneficiaries, but as agents for change.

If you don't have a just transition, then you will just have waste.

The speaker is interrupted by the chair.

[Other language spoken]

Now I would like to give the floor to the International Engineering Association and that will be microphone 21.

[Other language spoken]

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, My name is Greg Skelton and I'm speaking on behalf of the International Council of Chemical Associations and the Global Partners for Plastic Circularity.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this intervention.

[Other language spoken]

Chair, the global plastics industry has been actively engaged throughout the Inc process.

We champion an agreement that is inclusive of countries, effectively combats plastic pollution, promotes the circularity of plastics and enables society to to continue to benefit from plastics.

Circularity goes beyond recycling.

It involves designing products for reuse and recyclability, improving collection and sorting systems, especially for the 2.7 billion people lacking access to waste collection, and advancing innovations that transform used plastics into new products.

Over the course of the past five negotiations, industry has consistently shared our ambition and been clear on our positions, which are available on our website at plasticcircularity.org.

We have heard and responded to concerns from governments by developing tools that demonstrate the industry's commitment to transparency, including the ICCA Plastics Additives Database, which provides details on regulation and use of the 4000 549 plastic additives verified in commerce.

And we continue to invest in innovations in product design, collection, recycling and reuse of plastics to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy.

As the final Inc session opens, there is a unique opportunity for alignment with governments and civil society, including the private sector, to address plastic waste in our environment.

The perfect should not be the enemy of the possible.

ICCA encourages governments to focus on common ground and deliver an agreement that is practical, implementable and achievable.

Industry is eager to work in partnership with the governments to help solve the global challenge of plastic pollution while accelerating the transition to a more circular economy.

[Other language spoken]

Chair, and I thank the International Council of Chemical Association.

Now I would like to give the floor to the International Chamber of Commerce.

This M16, the so is the International Chamber of Commerce Microphone 16.

[Other language spoken]

Chair, your Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

My name is Raylene Martin and I speak on behalf of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business organisation.

We thank the Inc Secretariat for this tireless efforts and the Government of Switzerland for hosting us here in Geneva, a fitting location for international cooperation and multilateral progress.

The global business community stresses the urgent need to conclude an effective and workable agreement that meets the UNEFI 14 mandate and matches the urgency of the plastic pollution crisis.

[Other language spoken]

Inc 5.2 must deliver clear direction and a framework to accelerate action by all sectors toward a future free from plastic pollution.

The world is watching and the credibility of multilateral multilateralism depends on what we achieve here.

It is imperative to agree now on the treaties contours with the smart mix of complementary measures that have the right hooks to strengthen the agreement over time.

In this regard, we highlight four priorities.

First, a fully circular approach must be central.

The Treaty should guide product design for circularity, promoting reuse, recycling and environmentally sound management.

Waste management must be a core obligation with flexibility for national circumstances.

Second, focus should be on plastic products with the highest risk of environmental leakage based on a common evidence based framework that is application specific and considers national and socio economic realities.

Third, innovation is essential.

The agreement must support new technologies and business models across the plastics value chain to enable rapid transformation and empower businesses of all sizes.

Lastly, success hinges on effective means of implementation that support accelerated business action and take into account the needs of SMEs.

This agreement must provide industry with.

I thank you very much to invest in.

Last, I thank you very much for your statement.

Now I would like to give the floor to the coalition of NGOs from West Asia and that's Microphone 19.

Honourable chair, distinguished delegate, colleague and friend, allow me to deliver my intervention in Arabic, Saeed Rais and Ameriteres Saif.

My name is Mauriteres Saif.

I represent the group of NGOs from West Asia.

Plastic pollution is an environmental crisis which jeopardises the lives of millions in this region.

Plastic which is not managed or recycled causes a number of ills.

We cannot wait to deal with plastic pollution.

We cannot hold off negotiations.

We call on nations, defend their peoples.

We hope that negotiations will reach a successful conclusion.

[Other language spoken]

Our group stands ready to support delegations and the future treaty.

We call on everyone to respect their commitments.

This must not be just a symbolic treaty.

It must be fully implementable and ensure justice, solidarity and cooperation between peoples.

We cannot wait any longer.

Think about current and future generations, think about the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

You cannot procrastinate.

We need a treaty here and now.

Thank you and I thank you very much for your statement.

Now I would like to give the floor to the International Engineering Associations and will be Microphone 21.

[Other language spoken]

Chairman, Thank you, Secretary Ed, and thank you to the Government of Switzerland.

My name is Connor Carlin and I'm here representing the Society of Plastics Engineers, a global volunteer organisation with 65,000 stakeholders around the world.

We stand at the intersection of science, research, industry and society committed to advancing polymer innovation while promoting responsible management of plastics resources.

Plastics have transformed the modern world by delivering lightweight, durable, and cost effective solutions in medicine, food preservation, renewable energy, clean water, mobility, and countless other fields.

These materials have been integral in reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and improving the quality of life.

We are equally aware, however, that the growing volume of plastic waste mismanaged and polluting the environment presents urgent challenges that must be addressed with integrity and urgency.

As engineers, innovators and problem solvers, we are uniquely positioned to develop the next generation of materials and technologies that enable greater recyclability, biodegradability and resource efficiency.

We believe that innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility.

Our work is guided by a vision of circularity, where plastic products are designed with their full life cycle in mind, supported by robust collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure which supports scalable solutions from advanced mechanical and chemical recycling to closed loop systems and data-driven waste traceability.

We also recognise that no one single actor can solve this challenge alone.

Collaboration across industries, governments, academia and civil society is essential, and we actively promote open dialogue, knowledge sharing and capacity building to ensure that all regions can benefit from equitable access to technology and sustainable solutions.

The Society of Plastics Engineers reaffirms its commitment to being part of the solution, championing science based policies, fostering innovation with purpose, and accelerating progress toward a future where plastics are used wisely, recovered efficiently, and managed sustainably.

Materials and plastics are not the enemy, and misuse and this management are.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you and I thank you very much.

Now I would like to give the floor to break free from plastics, and that's microphone.

Microphone one, please.

You have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Honourable Chair, esteemed delegates, I'm John Beard Junior and I'm speaking on behalf of the Break Free from Plastics movement and the United States Environmental Justice delegation.

I come to you from the belly of the beast in Port Arthur, TX.

A cancer cluster thanks to the petrochemical industry, Port Arthur is on the front lines of toxic plastic pollution because of a history of discrimination against communities of colour at low income communities.

The human.

This is a human rights issue and it stretches all the way back to the dawn of European colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.

Let's be clear, these negotiations have been captured by the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries.

Their unchecked production of plastics is accelerating a crisis that jeopardises the climate, biodiversity, human health and the planet's ability to sustain life.

Without decisive action and significant reductions in plastic production, the harm already experienced by countless communities like mine will only intensify.

It's a treaty that does not cap plastic production, eliminate toxic chemicals and ensure a just transition for those most impacted.

Is a treaty destined to fail.

We must confront the ongoing environmental racism experienced in communities like mine and stop the scourge of waste colonialism in the global S.

We must reject toxic waste to energy schemes and polluting technologies like so-called chemical recycling, prioritising instead development of safe, toxic free reuse and refill systems and the rights of waste pickers, indigenous peoples and frontline communities.

While we should be guided by consensus, when consensus cannot be reached, countries must have the ability to vote on substantive issues, ensuring that deadlocks do not continue to derail progress.

While my community is on the front lines of environmental injustice and toxic pollution, micro and nanoplastics poison people.

Thank you very much from the lines you may live.

I thank you very much for your statement.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much for sharing these interventions.

And now I would like to invite the Secretariat to provide information on the timing and location of the meetings of the contact groups that we will start this afternoon at 3:00 PM.

Please Secretariat, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

So just to confirm the new schedule for today, CG Contact Group One will meet from 3:00 to 6:00 PM in Room 19.

Contact Group 4 will meet from 3:00 to 6:00 PM in room 18.

Contact Group 2 will meet from 7:30 PM onwards in room 18, and Contact Group 3 from 7:30 PM onwards in room 19.

[Other language spoken]

I thank you very much.

The Secretariat and we will be meeting as I announced before, working with the Secretariat and the Bureau on the scheduling for today and and the next days and distinguished delegates, these bring us to the conclusion of our meeting today.

We have a lot of work ahead of us over these ten days.

Thank you, distinguished delegates, for being consitious of the time as we embark on completing the work of the Inc at this resume session.

Let's treat each other with sorry.

[Other language spoken]

Oh, I see Ghana asking the floor, please.

Ghana, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Could you be, could you please take a seat?

We haven't finished the session yet.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you, Ghana, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

We kindly request that the information is repeated.

[Other language spoken]

Just to note, this information will also be reflected on the website as well as on the mobile app, so I'll repeat more slowly.

Contact Group One will meet from 3:00 to 6:00 PM this afternoon in Room 19.

Contact Group 4 also from 3:00 to 6:00 PM this afternoon in Room 18.

Contact Group 2 from 7:30 PM onwards in Room 18.

And finally, contact Group 3 from 7:30 PM onwards in Room 19.

I hope this clarifies.

[Other language spoken]

I thank you, Secretariat, and thank you, dear colleagues.

And once again, please let's treat with each other with kindness and respect as we build a unified way forward.

This meeting is adjourned.

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]