Plastics Dialogue discusses MC14 drafts, highlights development-focused matchmaking event

Discussing MC14 outcome documents

China and Australia, both co-coordinators of the DPP (together with Barbados, Ecuador, Fiji and Morrocco), introduced five draft outcome documents proposed for MC14.

These include an analytical summary of statistical approaches to estimate trade flows of embedded plastics, packaging, and single-use products discussed in the DPP; a synopsis of considerations related to the adoption of trade-related plastic measures raised in DPP discussions; and an analytical summary of the different approaches to regulating single-use plastic products. Other draft documents included a synopsis of services and technologies for waste management and clean-up activities; and a synopsis of non-plastic substitutes, alternatives and related services to single-use plastic products.

Members shared preliminary feedback on the outcome documents. They acknowledged the documents' value as a solid basis for continued discussions, and offered suggestions focused on streamlining data collection, ensuring the accuracy of factual information, and exploring the possibility of consolidating the documents to avoid overlaps.

The co-coordinators asked members to submit written comments by 17 October. They planned to reflect on suggestions and to produce revised documents to be shared ahead of the next DPP meeting, scheduled for 25 November. They also announced plans to work towards preparing a Ministerial Statement for MC14 and invited interested members to contribute ideas.

Plastics pollution reduction matchmaking event

Reflecting on key takeaways from the 9 October matchmaking event, moderated by Ecuador and Barbados, the co-coordinators hailed the positive results of the DPP's first trial effort to establish a platform for donors, international institutions and members to present existing funding initiatives related to plastics pollution and to match them with specific trade-related needs of developing members, exploring gaps and opportunities. The event was opened by Ambassador Omar Zniber of Morocco, on behalf of the DPP co-coordinators, and Ambassador Eduardo Ernesto Sperisen-Yurt of Guatemala, the most recent member of the Dialogue. 

Several key themes emerged from the dialogue, including the role of trade in enabling access to sustainable technologies and materials, the need for harmonized standards to facilitate trade in substitutes, reduction of single-use plastics, and the urgency of addressing capacity gaps in developing countries, particularly small economies and small island developing states (SIDS). Participants also underscored the value of tailored support, the need to strengthen infrastructure and technology transfer, and the priority of reducing compliance costs for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus of Cabo Verde and Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, shared the needs and priorities from their regions.

During the event, participants heard presentations on ongoing programmes from several international organizations and on the role of private-sector and civil society stakeholders. There was broad agreement that these initiatives are valuable, and the diversity and fragmentation of trade-related funding opportunities highlight the need for improved coordination and transparency. The DPP was reaffirmed as a valuable connector between trade-related needs and support mechanisms. As a next step, Barbados encouraged members and stakeholders to complete the circulated surveys to help guide continued discussions.

 Asia-Pacific-focused workshop

The co-coordinators reported on the discussions held during the Asia-Pacific regional workshop on 9 October - the third region-focused workshop organized by the DPP. Opened by Ambassador Yongjie Li of China and Ambassador James Baxter of Australia, the workshop highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in addressing plastics pollution and the role of trade. 

The workshop reaffirmed plastics pollution as a significant transboundary challenge for the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for SIDS, due to their high waste management costs and environmental vulnerability. Key regional priorities identified included harmonizing policies and standards for product design and waste management, improving data systems to monitor trade flows, and scaling up substitutes through trade instruments such as tariff alignment and technology. Regional cooperation platforms like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum were recognized as good foundations for integrating trade into broader environmental strategies.

In conclusion, the Asia-Pacific region has the potential to lead in curbing plastics pollution, provided there is strategic coordination and enabling trade frameworks, the workshop emphasized. The insights gathered from the workshop will inform ongoing DPP discussions and contribute to shaping outcomes for MC14.

Other business

The Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) provided an update on the UN-led negotiation process to develop a global plastics treaty, which began in 2022. Despite the lack of consensus on the draft negotiation texts during the latest round of talks in August in Geneva, the INC noted that progress had been made on several issues and that UN members remain committed to continued engagement.

As part of co-sponsors' work towards better identifying members' trade-related plastics measures (TrPMs) and building domestic inventories, the WTO Secretariat also introduced the Environmental Database (wto.org/EDB), a transparency tool that includes TrPMs notified by members and discussed in Trade Policy Reviews. Delegates emphasized the importance of enhancing transparency of such measures by better leveraging the database and encouraged stronger cooperation with other existing information hubs.

The co-coordinators also provided information on changes in the WTO Secretariat's team supporting the Dialogue. They thanked Mr. Daniel Ramos for his dedication and invaluable contribution as Secretary of the DPP since its inception, and welcomed Ms. Svetlana Chobanova as his successor, expressing their appreciation for ongoing support as the Dialogue continues to evolve.

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Launched in November 2020 by a group of WTO members, the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution currently consists of 83 co-sponsors, representing 88 per cent of global trade in plastics.