Negotiators trying to craft a global treaty to end plastic pollution have a new chair, giving fresh momentum to talks that have stalled for months.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, or INC, elected Ambassador Julio Cordano of Chile to lead the effort to develop a legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution worldwide.
Plastic pollution has become a major global concern, affecting ecosystems, communities, and economies. In accepting the leadership role, Cordano said the problem needs collective action from every country. “Plastic pollution is a planetary problem that affects every country, community and individual,” he said, underscoring the urgency for cooperation.
“Therefore, a treaty is urgently needed to support concerted action and bring us together to address this shared responsibility. I am willing and determined to play a leading role in helping the Committee cross the finish line.”
The INC has been meeting since 2022 to draft a legally binding treaty that would tackle plastic pollution throughout the life cycle of plastics — from production to waste. Some sessions in the past have failed to reach agreement as countries differ on how strict the treaty should be, especially around limits on plastic production and harmful chemicals.
Observers have framed Cordano’s election to the chairmanship as a positive step toward revitalizing the talks. By choosing new leadership, member states signal a shared interest in resuming progress on a treaty that many see as crucial to global environmental protection. Attachments of civil society, scientists, and environmental groups have consistently highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation to tackle plastic pollution.
Although the INC’s most recent resumed session focused mainly on organizational matters, supporters say electing a new chair can help renew negotiations on substantive issues. The new leadership comes at a moment when many countries and advocacy groups continue to push for an agreement that not only addresses waste management but also reduces the harms caused by plastic across its full lifecycle.
For now, talks continue under Cordano’s guidance with the aim of bringing negotiators back to substantive discussions on a treaty that could eventually unite nations in ending one of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
