Page 33 - Plastics News March 2026
P. 33
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
INC ELECTS NEW CHAIR OF PLASTICS
TREATY NEGOTIATIONS
NC Member States have elected their new impacts are undeniable, and the moment now
Chair of the Plastics Treaty Negotiations. Julio calls for collective political will. A credible, legally
ICordano, Diplomat and Director of Environ- binding treaty must address plastic pollution at
ment, Climate Change, and Oceans at the Minis- its source while safeguarding equity and human
try of Foreign Affairs of Chile, has been formally health.”
elected. This follows the previous Chair's, Am-
bassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso of Ecuador, res- Robert Kitumaini Chikwanine, SOPRODE DRC:
ignation late last year. During Valdivieso’s lead- “Civil society brings the voices of affected com-
ership, the negotiations were often criticised for munities, independent expertise, and the vigi-
a lack of transparency, with countries and ob- lance necessary for a credible treaty. The Chair
servers' trust in the process being broken must guarantee our access and ensure a trans-
parent and inclusive process.”
GAIA members are urging Cordano to restore
trust by re-establishing transparency, promoting Kwame Ofori, Ako Foundation, Ghana: “To mil-
neutrality, and ensuring effective decision-mak- lions of people who experience the impact of
ing. He must uphold the Member States commit- plastic pollution on a daily basis, this leadership
ment to delivering a treaty that addresses the is what will decide whether science, justice, and
full life cycle of plastics, while also prioritising livelihoods are secured or delayed.”
independent science, human rights, and Glob- Larisa de Orbe, Acción Ecológica México: “The
al South leadership over corporate and petro- Global South has historically been one of the
state interests.
regions most affected by the plastic life cycle,
Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics, Philippines: “The which is why it has taken the lead in setting the
election of the new Chair is an important step to- most ambitious targets. The new Presidency
wards progress, but a treaty that addresses the must recognise the region’s leadership and en-
full lifecycle of plastics can only be achieved if sure that its voice is heard.”
Member States cease to protect the interests of Cecilia Bianco, Taller Ecologista, Argentina: “The
plastic polluters. The impacts of plastic through- Chair must ensure compliance with Resolution
out its lifecycle are undeniable, and Member 5/14 on the life cycle of plastics, from raw mate-
States need to be united in the central goal of rial extraction to final disposal. It is essential that
protecting human health and the environment if the treaty address the reduction of plastic pro-
we want an effective global plastics treaty.”
duction with binding global targets.”
Shahriar Hossain, ESDO, Bangladesh: “At this Frankie Orona, Society of Native Nations: “In-
stage in the negotiations, ambition, not evidence, digenous Peoples and frontline communities are
is the missing ingredient. The science is settled,
March 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 33
