Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution : 25 April 2024

• Background: In 2022, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a historic resolution to develop an International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, particularly in the marine environment.
• Purpose: 
  • The resolution mandated the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop the ILBI. 
  • This instrument is designed to address the full life cycle of plastic, covering production, design, and disposal.
• Objective: The global plastics treaty aims to establish a framework of standards concerning accountability, responsibilities, financing, material/chemical standards, and import/export restrictions, along with setting targets for action.
• INC Sessions: The INC will meet a total of five times to develop the specific content of the ILBI by the end of 2024.
  •  Sessions include INC-1 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, INC-2 in Paris, France, INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya, INC-4 in Ottawa and the upcoming INC-5 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
• Timeline: INC-5, scheduled for 25 November to 1 December 2024, marks the conclusion of the INC process.

Why in News:

• The fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution is ongoing in Ottawa, Canada.