Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC)
Next Session: INC-5.2
Date: 5–14 August 2025
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
In a historic move to combat one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 5/14 in March 2022, launching a global effort to develop a legally binding international instrument to end plastic pollution. This instrument will take a full life-cycle approach, addressing plastic production, design, use, and disposal, including its impact on the marine environment.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was established to oversee the drafting and negotiation of this treaty. Since 2022, five sessions have convened across the globe, from Uruguay to France, Kenya, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, bringing together government representatives, observers, civil society, and industry leaders.
INC-5.2, the second part of the fifth and final negotiating session, will take place from August 5–14, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This pivotal session is expected to finalize the treaty text and mark a major step toward a future free from plastic pollution.
Why It Matters
Plastic pollution is escalating rapidly, with global plastic waste projected to reach 1.2 billion tons by 2060 if current trends continue. The INC process represents humanity’s collective commitment to reverse this trajectory and forge a sustainable, legally binding path forward.