Chile’s Julio Cordano has been elected as the new Chair of UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations after talks collapsed last year.
Cordano replaces Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who resigned last year after the previous round of negotiations collapsed without an agreement.
The talks in Geneva failed after more than 100 countries rejected the draft treaty text as it didn’t include caps on plastic production.
Ahead of the negotiations, the sixth round of talks in under three years, the United States reportedly urged several countries to reject limits on plastic production and plastic chemical additives.
The previous meeting in Busan, South Korea, was originally scheduled to be the final round of negotiations, and also ended without agreement as several oil-producing nations rejected legally binding caps on plastic production.
Following the election of Ambassador Cordano as Chair, the Committee elected Mr Linroy Christian of Antigua and Barbuda as Vice-Chair.
A Global Plastics Treaty is closer in reach than ever before, and it’s crucial that this opportunity isn’t wasted.
Commenting on his election, Ambassador Cordano said: “Plastic pollution is a planetary problem that affects every country, community and individual.”
“Therefore, a treaty is urgently needed to support concerted action and bring us together to address this shared responsibility. I am willing and determined to play a leading role in helping the Committee cross the finish line.”
Last week, a report based on interviews with participants from the negotiations found the process risks failing completely without significant reform.
The report warned that pushing ahead with legal drafting a treaty before countries have found enough common ground can ‘significantly decrease’ the effectiveness of international decision-making processes.
The INC process was launched in March 2022 when UN Member States adopted a historic resolution to develop an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Commenting on the announcement, Tove Anderson, President and CEO of TOMRA, urged negotiators to ‘raise their ambition’ and create a treaty that supports circular systems.
Anderson commented: “We are at a pivotal moment in addressing the global plastic crisis. A Global Plastics Treaty is closer in reach than ever before, and it’s crucial that this opportunity isn’t wasted.”
“The final treaty should be ambitious and guide impactful action, including binding targets for product design and strong extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. These proven solutions, supported by effective policy, can deliver real environmental benefits and economic value.”