In March 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
The UNEA resolution (5/14) requested the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop "the instrument," which is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal.
The INC began its work in the second half of 2022. It has since convened its first session (INC-1) in Punta del Este, Uruguay (November–December 2022); second session (INC-2) in Paris, France (May–June 2023); third session (INC-3) in Nairobi, Kenya (November 2023); and fourth session (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada (April 2024). The fifth session has been held in parts: Busan, Republic of Korea (INC-5.1, November–December 2024) and Geneva, Switzerland (INC-5.2, August 2025). The third part (INC-5.3) took place on 7 February 2026 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG).
Following the resignation of the former INC Chair, the Bureau of the INC, at its meeting held on 30 October 2025, agreed that a one-day resumed session should be convened on 7 February 2026 for organizational and administrative purposes, addressing the election of officers, including the position of Chair. Accordingly, no substantive negotiations were held during INC-5.3.
Latest updates
Quick links:
Resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly on 2 March 2022 End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument UNEP/EA.5/Res.14 (7 March 2022) View | Download
Potential options paper UNEP/PP/INC.2/4 (13 April 2023) View | Download
Zero draft text UNEP/PP/INC.3/4 (4 September 2023) View | Download
Revised draft text UNEP/PP/INC.4/3 (28 December 2023) View | Download
Compilation of draft text UNEP/PP/INC.5/4 (9 July 2024) View | Download
Chair's text (1 December 2024) View | Download
Plastic pollution crisis
The rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious global environmental issue that negatively impacts the environmental, social, economic and health dimensions of sustainable development.
Humanity was expected to consume over 500 million tonnes of plastics in 2024 alone, with a large share of this used plastics quickly becoming 400 million tonnes of plastic waste.
Under a business-as-usual scenario and in the absence of urgent action and necessary interventions, global plastic waste could almost triple, reaching around 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060.
What you need to know about the plastic pollution resolution
The full text of the adopted resolution
INC Chair correspondence: 2026
Third letter from the INC Chair (16 April 2026)
Second letter from the INC Chair (16 March 2026)
First letter from the INC Chair (19 February 2026)
About
View the status of financial contributions to the INC to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Contacts
INC Secretariat: unep-incplastic.secretariat@un.org
Registration enquiries: unep-incplastic.registration@un.org
Media enquiries: unep-incplastic.media@un.org
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