Signals of Momentum on Day 1 of UN Plastic Treaty Negotiations

At the end of the first day of negotiations at INC-5, countries came to an agreement to move a streamlined version of the draft treaty forward for negotiation. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business: 

“Today the majority of the world’s government’s united in opposition to delay tactics from an outspoken minority of low ambition states. In a clear signal that states want to conclude with a meaningful treaty at INC 5, over 150 countries succeeded in moving the negotiations forward on the basis of the Chair’s streamlined text, despite repeated attempts from spoilers to drag the process back to the unworkable compilation text.

"While there are only 63 hours for this week’s negotiations, we’re getting started with momentum on our side. If the progressive majority continue to hold strong, we will be on a path forward that could result in an ambitious treaty in hand by end of week.”