❌ Time is ticking, and countries have yet to make significant progress to be on track to deliver a strong Plastics Treaty by the end of the week. Based on the report backs made in contact groups, many informal meetings continue to revolve around general discussions and country positioning rather than actual text negotiations, which is creating frustrations among delegations. With the closing plenary scheduled in less than 50 hours, many countries have reiterated that we are at a breaking point.

❌ The INC Chair, Luis Vayas, and INC Secretary, Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, held a meeting with approximately 300 observers in a room that was too small for that number of people. Together they spoke for just 10 minutes and did not stay for questions. The only noticeable comment, which was mentioned twice by the INC Secretary, was that “on the 15th, when we wake up, we will be celebrating.” The Secretary seemed optimistic that 1) we will not stay up all night on Thursday, and 2) we will have reasons to celebrate on Friday. Let’s hope she is right.

❌ In the discussions around Article 6, which addresses plastic production reduction, we continued to hear the same low-ambition arguments that try to keep the negotiations focused on waste management.

❌ Plastic treaty negotiators—even the low-ambition delegates—are all breathing microplastics. After sampling outdoor and indoor spaces such as cafés, public transportation and shops in Geneva, a new Greenpeace study confirmed the presence of airborne microplastics—including polyester, nylon, polyethylene, vinyl copolymers, and cellulose acetate, which are typically found in clothing, packaging, and furnishings. Hopefully, this study can serve as a reminder of the urgency of a Plastics Treaty fit for purpose.