ASH joins the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance in attending the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Conference (INC-5) of the United Nations Treaty to End Plastic Pollution in Busan, Republic of Korea from November 25 – December 1, 2024. ASH’s Chief Operating Officer Liz Furgurson will share updates and progress here for our community to stay engaged and informed.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Member States met in Informal and Regional Sessions today behind closed doors, without the participation of Observers for the third day in a row.
A revised Chair’s non paper text was released late in the day. Cigarette filters made of plastic remain in an optional Annex.
Plenary was convened at 9:00pm where it was announced that consensus on the text was not reached and that negotiations will continue at a subsequent session.
It’s clear that some progress has been made this week and many States are committed to delivering a legally binding agreement to curb the world’s plastic crisis, though a few Member States are intent on preventing progress and possibly derailing the entire initiative.
A date for a subsequent INC session will be announced in due course.
In the meantime, we continue to be inspired by all of the high ambition countries who are committed to finishing the job – insisting on strong language, measurable targets and actual lists of problematic and avoidable chemicals and products to be banned. Special thanks to Rwanda and Panama for their leadership this week (their Closing Plenary statements are below) and to the Republic of Korea for their hospitality.
Shout out to the team representing ASH and the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA) on the ground as well – great job! Read our Closing Plenary joint statement from the African Tobacco Control Alliance, ASH US, Corporate Accountability, HealthJustice, proud members of the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA) here>
As the INC Chair said, “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” We will get there.