Bracing themselves for the final stretch, delegates converged for the last day of the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, at UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters, in Paris, France.
In the morning, delegates managed to conclude their work in the two contact groups, addressing objectives and substantive obligations, as well as means of implementation and other measures towards a new instrument on plastic pollution. The contact group Co-Facilitators Gwendalyn Kingtaro Sisior (Palau) and Axel Borchmann (Germany), and Katherine Lynch (Australia) and Oliver Boachie (Ghana), submitted reports from each of the groups to plenary. Delegates took note of the reports, which are set to be annexed to the meeting report.
Plenary convened in the afternoon, to hear the reports from the contact groups. The reports outline areas of tentative convergence on elements to be included in a future agreement, as well as elements where additional discussions are required. They also identify gaps highlighted by delegations in their discussions which may need to be addressed in the future.
Delegates also touched on the potential for intersessional work, raising questions about the modality and timelines for such activities. Delegates then met in informal consultations to discuss the way forward towards INC-3.
Plenary re-convened at 7:30 pm, with delegates mandating the INC Secretariat to prepare a zero-draft of the treaty in advance of INC-3, as well as welcoming the Government of Kenya’s offer to host INC-3 in November 2024. The Committee also welcomed offers to host INC-4 and INC-5 by Canada and the Republic of Korea, respectively.
In closing statements, Jyoti Mathur-Fillip, Executive Secretary of the INC Secretariat, noted growing progress since INC-1 and shared that over 1656 participants attended the meeting.
Chair Meza-Cuadra ended the meeting by quoting French author Victor Hugo: “It is sad to think that nature speaks and that humanmind doesn't listen.” He gavelled the meeting to a close at 9:25 pm.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For INC-2, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth.
Contact Groups throughout the Day
Delegates resume discussions in Contact Group 1
Contact Group 1 Co-Facilitators Gwendalyn Kingtaro Sisior, Palau, and Axel Borchmann, Germany
A summary of the work possibly to be completed by INC3
Delegates resume discussions in Contact Group 2
Contact Group 2 Co-Facilitators Tommy Oliver Boachie, Ghana, and Katherine Lynch, Australia
A summary of the work possibly to be completed by INC3
Delegates take note of the deliberations
Report Back from the Contact Groups
INC Chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Peru, reconvenes the plenary
Contact Group 2 Co-Facilitators Katherine Lynch, Australia, and Tommy Oliver Boachie, Ghana
Contact Group 1 Co-Facilitators Gwendalyn Kingtaro Sisior, Palau, and Axel Borchmann, Germany
Julius Piercy, UK
Emilio Yáñez, Chile
Massoud Rezvanian Rahaghi, Iran
Felix Wertli, Switzerland
Mohammed Albarrak, Saudi Arabia
Plenary is suspended as delegates are given time to read the reports from the contact groups
Delegates gather for an informal consultation to discuss the way forward
Informal Consultation Co-Facilitators Marine Collignon, France, and Maria Angélica Ikeda, Brazil
Closing Plenary
Delegates gather for the closing plenary
INC Chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Peru
Informal Consultation Co-Facilitators Marine Collignon, France, and Maria Angélica Ikeda, Brazil
Thuo Kinyua, Kenya
Belsis Llorente Díaz, Cuba
Erin Silsbe, Canada
Hyoeun Jenny Kim, Republic of Korea
Delegates watch the proceedings from the gallery
Lena Estrada, Indigenous Peoples Major Group
Leonce Sessou, Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance
Omoyemen Odigie-Emmanuel, Centre for Human Rights and Climate Change Research
Poorvaprabha Patil, Global Youth Coalition on Plastic Pollution (GYCPP)
Raelene Martin, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary, INC Secretariat
Delegates applaud the work completed at INC2
Around the Venue
INC Chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Peru
Delegates speak informally between sessions
Delegates from South Africa, State of Palestine, and Jordan
Delegates from the Philippines
UN Security around the venue
Family photo of the INC Secretariat and UNEP supporting staff
Delegates from France
Delegates from Gabon
Delegates from Finland
Delegates from Costa Rica
Delegates from Côte d'Ivoire
Delegate from Georgia
Delegates from Indonesia
Delegates from Ghana
Delegates from Ecuador
Delegates from Kenya
UNEP interns supporting INC2
Delegates from Maldives
The IISD/ENB team covering INC2: Matthew Hengesbaugh, Japan/US; Katarina Hovden, Norway; Jose Pinto-Bazurco, Peru; Tallash Kantai, Kenya; and Kiara Worth, South Africa
