🚨 The plastics treaty process finally has… a game plan for the game plan. After months of uncertainty, the INC Chair’s latest update gives us something we’ve been missing: a clearer path forward. Not a breakthrough, but definitely more structure. Here’s what stands out 👇 📅 INC-5.4 — Timing Late 2026 or early 2027 📍 Location still open (and yes, the speculation is already flying 🌎) 🔄 What happens between now and then? A more structured intersessional phase: - Regular HoD +2 informal meetings every 4–6 weeks - A key in-person HoD meeting in Nairobi (June 30 – July 3) 🇰🇪 - Potential October follow-up session (funding permitting) 🎯 June Nairobi meeting = pivotal moment - Full review of all negotiation elements - Expected outcome: an “informal reference document” 📄 Still no formal draft treaty text Instead, the Chair will compile a working document with: - Existing options - Bracketed text - No new compromises (yet) Translation: we’re moving toward a negotiating text, but carefully. ⚙️ How negotiations are evolving Less big-room statements, more targeted diplomacy: - Small group consultations - “Friends of the Chair” - Shuttle diplomacy 👉 In other words: more political, more iterative, more real. 🤝 Where progress will actually happen Between sessions. Through coalitions, bilaterals, and cross-group engagement, not just in the formal room. 👀 Observers Still essential, but with tighter access to some intersessional spaces. Influence will increasingly depend on how effectively you engage governments directly. 📌 Bottom line We don’t have the treaty yet. But we now have the process that will shape it. And that process, between now and Nairobi, and beyond, may determine how ambitious the final agreement can really be. Ocean Conservancy will continue engaging throughout the process to provide expertise and thought leadership on some of the most critical issues that will be discussed. Let’s see how this plays out 🌍♻️
Taylor Clayton
1mo
This is helpful - thanks Felipe!
A concept of a plan is better than no plan at all. As Christiana Figures likes to say, we need to bring stubborn optimism to the table.