About
Supporting cooperation towards an ambitious, effective, and fair plastics treaty.
In March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted Resolution 5/14 to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) with the mandate to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. This TESS initiative supports the work of the INC and the achievement of an ambitious, effective, and fair treaty that strengthens the international cooperation needed to end plastic pollution.
Overview
Realizing the ambition of a treaty to end plastic pollution requires attention from governments and stakeholders alike on how we can harness international economic cooperation to transform the plastics economy, support a just transition to sustainability, and foster new economic opportunities, especially for developing countries. Since its launch, TESS has supported the work of the INC to develop and conclude a treaty that is fit for purpose to protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution.
The world has an unmissable opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and meaningfully address both the public health and environmental impacts of the plastic pollution crisis in truly integrated ways.
Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Founder and Executive Director, TESS
Giant Plastic Tap ©Von Wong – https://turnofftheplastictap.com/
Historic Negotiations to End Plastic Pollution
Since the launch of negotiations following the adoption of UNEA resolution 5/14, TESS has supported the work of the INC. Our team—who are recognized as trusted advisors and technical experts to governments—have been on the ground at each negotiating session and during intersessional work, endeavouring to advance an ambitious, effective, and fair treaty.
The following links provide an overview of our activities during the fourth and fifth rounds of negotiations.
Ottawa, Canada - 23-29 April 2024
Busan, Republic of Korea - 25 Nov-1 Dec 2024
Geneva, Switzerland - 5-14 August 2025
Our efforts to support the treaty process include the co-organization of public events, the publication of policy reports, briefing notes, and technical information documents, and the hosting of informal dialogues on several indispensable, but challenging, elements of the negotiations.
In this regard, our work has focused on fostering convergence on: problematic plastic products and chemicals of concern in plastics; product design; addressing primary production, consumption, and production of plastics; trade-related issues; and financing; as well as the importance of operationalizing the protection of human health as a core objective of the treaty.
We also support the treaty process through participation at relevant intergovernmental meetings, including UNEA, the UN Ocean Conference, the World Health Assembly, and the COPs of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conferences.
High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution
Alongside, TESS supports the work of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC) as part of its Secretariat function. The HAC is a coalition of over 70 like-minded countries co-chaired by Rwanda and Norway.
We also foster efforts to mobilize an even wider group of countries pursuing an ambitious, effective, and fair plastics treaty. Consequently, the HAC facilitates the cooperation of about 100 INC members under the broad umbrella of the “HAC and Friends.”
Promoting Trade Cooperation
We further support the work of the INC by promoting cooperation on where and how trade and trade-related policies are relevant to international efforts to tackle plastic pollution, and how cooperation on trade can support the treaty and its implementation.
We actively participate in the WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution, providing inputs through statements, policy papers, and events looking at critical issues at the intersection of trade, plastic pollution, and sustainable development. In the build up to the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026, we provided suggestions for the MC14 Ministerial Statement and substantive inputs to the summary and synopsis elements of the DPP's MC14 outcome package.
Export Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics (2022)
The excellent collaboration with TESS throughout the INC process has been of great value. TESS contributions have been substantial in terms of both expertise and logistical support.
H.E. Mr. Felix Wertli, Ambassador, Head of the International Affairs Division, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland.
We deeply appreciate the invaluable contribution of the TESS team to the plastics treaty negotiations, both to the High Ambition Coalition and its member states. TESS has been instrumental in helping us navigate key issues and advocate for a strong, ambitious agreement.
Juliet Kabera, Head of Delegation, Rwanda, Co-Chair of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution
TESS consistently provides valuable support for well-informed and constructive discussions between INC delegations, supporting member states in their negotiation towards a treaty to effectively protect both the environment and public health.
Kate Robertson, Technical Officer (Legal), World Health Organization
