Pacific communities will not accept a global plastics treaty that jeopardizes livelihoods, health, or the environment, says Sivendra Michael, Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Climate Change and Environment. In a social media post from Geneva, where negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty are under way at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), Michael reaffirmed the Pacific’s demand for a strong, enforceable instrument that covers plastics from production to disposal.
The warning comes as the latest round of talks in Geneva failed to produce an agreement, despite long hours of discussions. Michael described the final 30 hours as brutal—physically and emotionally exhausting—and recalled a moment when a journalist asked what he would tell his daughters and communities upon returning home. He said he paused the response, overwhelmed by emotion, before adding that the spirit of perseverance would carry the region forward.
In a clear message, the Pacific leader asserted that the bloc will not settle for a weak text or for provisions that ignore the full lifecycle of plastics. He emphasized that the Pacific deserves nothing less than a robust, enforceable agreement that protects communities from plastic pollution from production to disposal, and safeguards the right to live in a safe, clean, and healthy environment. The Pacific’s priority, he stressed, is a treaty that addresses upstream production decisions as well as downstream waste management.
This stance is echoed by Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), who argue that relying on cleanup and waste management alone is insufficient. They have consistently called for lifecycle thinking—including concrete limits on production and transparent, accountable financing mechanisms to support implementation in vulnerable states with limited waste-management infrastructure. The broader regional push is supported by partners such as SPREP and Australia, with the High Ambition Coalition urging a treaty that binds production, ensures transparent reporting, and provides sustainable financing for execution.
What to watch next
– The second draft: Negotiators are expected to return to revised text after overnight discussions and a Heads of Delegation meeting, with hopes of reintroducing core provisions on production, chemicals, and lifecycle considerations.
– Regional consultations: Expect renewed calls for broad regional input to balance inclusivity with momentum in the drafting process.
– Financing and capacity-building: Debate will focus on how to mobilize, disburse, and audit funds to support vulnerable states in meeting their commitments.
– Timeline: With INC-5’s process continuing, negotiators will be under pressure to demonstrate tangible progress toward a legally binding instrument.
Editorial perspective
The Pacific bloc’s stance underscores a fundamental shift in the global approach to plastic pollution: upstream measures that curb production and design are essential alongside downstream cleanup. The negotiations now hinge on reconciling ambitious lifecycle commitments with realistic financing, transparent accountability, and meaningful regional participation. If the second draft can reinsert a robust lifecycle framework and credible implementation mechanisms, it could reinvigorate momentum toward a treaty that genuinely protects island communities and their environments.
Summary of context
Across INC-5.2 discussions, Pacific negotiators have consistently pressed for a legally binding instrument that addresses plastic production, lifecycle considerations, and adequate funding to support vulnerable nations. The outcome of the next draft will significantly shape the trajectory of the talks and the potential for a treaty capable of delivering long-term protection against plastic pollution.
Hopeful note
Despite ongoing disagreements, the negotiations reflect broad recognition that action must target plastic production from its source. A stronger, more ambitious draft could herald a meaningful shift toward reducing plastic pollution at its origin, ultimately safeguarding oceans, health, and livelihoods for generations to come.
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