Philippines joins global push for treaty to end plastic pollution

June 12, 2025 , 04:22 PM

(June 12, 2025) – The Philippines has joined nearly 100 countries in calling for an ambitious global declaration for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

The “Nice Call for an Ambitious Treaty on Plastic Pollution” was launched on Tuesday during the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. Signed by 95 countries, the treaty aims to tackle the full life cycle of plastics, from production and design to disposal, in line with a 2022 United Nations (UN) resolution.

“We, the Ministers and representatives… reaffirm our common ambition to end plastic pollution to protect human health and the environment from its adverse effects, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics,” stated the declaration, as published by France’s Ministry of Ecology.

Among the key proposals is a global target to reduce the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers. This, the signatories said, is “one of the most efficient and cost-effective approaches” to solving the plastic crisis.

The document also called for mandatory reporting of plastic production, imports, and exports.

To help countries implement the treaty, the declaration recommended setting up a financial support mechanism, especially for developing nations and small island states. Funding, it said, should come from a mix of public and private, domestic and international sources, following the polluter-pays principle.

Aside from the Philippines, countries that signed the declaration include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, all 27 EU member states, and several island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean.

The signatories warned that a watered-down treaty, one that lacks clear targets or enforcement, “will not be effective” in tackling plastic pollution.

An environmental group, Greenpeace Philippines, welcomed the move but stressed that signing the declaration is just the first step.

“The government must match its global stance with national action by enacting policies that reduce plastic production, phase out single-use plastics, and establish systems for reuse and refill to thrive,” said the Greenpeace Philippines in a statement.

Formal negotiations on the treaty will resume in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 5 to 14.

(CMZ)

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