Global plastic treaty talks resume in Japan

March 02, 2026

Delegations representing nearly 20 nations will gather in Japan for three days of closed-door “informal” negotiations starting Sunday, seeking to revive stalled momentum toward a historic global treaty to combat plastic pollution.

Previous attempts to finalize the agreement have faltered. Negotiations in South Korea in 2024, initially expected to conclude the deal, ended without consensus. A follow-up round in Geneva last August also broke down after extended discussions failed to bridge deep divisions.

According to a Japanese Environment Ministry representative, the Tokyo meeting—attended by working-level officials and running through Tuesday—is not expected to produce any formal declaration. Japan is hosting the talks as part of its effort to accelerate progress on an international plastics agreement, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Since the collapse of negotiations in Geneva, progress has been minimal, aside from the early February appointment of Chile’s chief climate negotiator, Julio Cordano, as chair of the process.

After his election, Cordano emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic waste on a global scale. He described plastic pollution as a worldwide crisis affecting all countries, communities, and individuals, warning that without coordinated international action, the situation will significantly deteriorate in the coming decades. He stressed that securing a binding global plastics treaty is critical.

Global plastic production and policy divide

The push for a legally binding international agreement comes as global plastic production surpasses 400 million metric tons annually, with approximately 50% manufactured for single-use products such as packaging and disposable consumer goods.

However, negotiations remain divided. A large coalition of countries is advocating for strong measures, including limits on plastic production and stricter controls across the entire lifecycle of plastics. Meanwhile, several oil-producing nations prefer a narrower framework focused primarily on waste management and recycling rather than production caps.

Key countries participating in Japan talks

The Tokyo discussions are expected to include major oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States. Representatives from China, India, and the European Union are also anticipated, alongside small island states including Antigua and Barbuda and Palau, which face severe environmental risks from marine plastic debris.

Despite repeated setbacks, optimism remains within the United Nations system. In an October interview, the head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said that achieving a comprehensive global plastics treaty is still entirely possible.

She noted that no country has withdrawn from the negotiations or declared the effort futile, signaling continued international commitment to addressing plastic pollution through a multilateral agreement.

As informal discussions resume in Japan, the world watches closely to see whether renewed diplomacy can break the impasse and move nations closer to a landmark global plastics treaty.