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A moment of hope from INC 5.2 on International Youth Day

Erin Simon

By 

Four women hold signs that demand the end of plastic pollution and a fix to the process during the INC global plastic treaty talks.

© Markus Winkler/ WWF Germany

If you know me well, you know that one of my core values is rooted in an unwavering belief in future generations. I hold a deep hope in their potential—not just as inheritors of our decisions, but as rightsholders of the future. It’s our responsibility not only to act in service of that future, but to mentor, uplift, and equip young people with the tools they need to lead.

So today, on International Youth Day, in the midst of the sixth round of global plastics negotiations, I want to share a moment of hope.

Over the past week, I had the privilege of being joined by Clara Pohlonski—a student who has been following this process since INC-4 in Ottawa. As she prepares for college, Clara is exploring how she can contribute to shaping a better world. During INC-5.2, she sat with me in meetings with companies, NGOs, development banks, and international organizations. She supported events, built networks, and even joined her first silent protest.

Despite the complexities of UN negotiations—which often require a background in diplomacy just to follow—Clara stayed open, curious, and determined. Her fresh perspective and drive to share what she learned with her peers grounded me, especially in moments of frustration. It reminded me why we do this work.

A woman with long brown hair holding a sign reading "Tenez Votre Promesse" outisde
Clara Pohlonski at INC-5.2

© Mark

But Clara wasn’t alone.

The Children and Youth Major Group, part of UNEP, was also at the negotiations—organized, informed, and clear in their calls to action. They delivered a powerful set of demands to global leaders, including:

  • Adopting a full lifecycle approach to plastics—from extraction to legacy pollution.
  • Setting binding targets to reduce plastic production and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
  • Eliminating harmful chemicals in plastics and ensuring transparency and health protections.
  • Embedding human rights and intergenerational equity directly into the treaty.
  • Protecting biodiversity and shifting toward nature-positive systems.
  • Grounding decisions in science and Indigenous knowledge, free from conflicts of interest.
  • Investing in safe, accessible plastic alternatives, with strong safeguards against greenwashing.
  • Mandating Extended Producer Responsibility, holding companies accountable.
  • Establishing strong financial mechanisms based on the polluter-pays principle.
  • Ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and accountability throughout the treaty process.

Their message was clear: Youth are not just watching—we are helping shape the path forward.

In a time of global uncertainty, where the weight of our decisions will fall squarely on the next generation, let’s stop assuming that the way things have always been done is the way they must continue. Let’s open the door to new ideas, new voices, and new energy.

Let’s set the next generation up for success—not just by making space for them, but by following their lead.

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