Dialogue on plastic pollution at WTO MC13

The WTO move is most appropriate--- one that may help put in place measures for plastic trade with strict protocols by reinforcing country-level efforts to combat plastic pollution, writes Wasi Ahmed

It is interesting to see that the havoc wreaked by plastic pollution globally has found an important forum for discussion in the forthcoming WTO-13 Ministerial Conference (MC13). It has been gathered that the dialogue on 'Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade' made substantial progress at a meeting on May 25. Introduction of a draft outlining a way forward and issues for a potential outcome at the MC13 to be held in February 2024 bears witness to it. The coordinators of the dialogue hailed the draft contents as the culmination of extensive work over the past two years and a pivotal step towards achieving "concrete, pragmatic and effective outcomes" at MC13.

China and Morocco (represented by their ambassadors) facilitated the discussion as co-chairs of the meeting. Morocco, on behalf of the coordinators of the dialogue, introduced the draft elements, which highlight the dialogue's commitment to addressing the global issue of plastics pollution. The draft sets out a range of shared principles and priorities for collective actions, with the aim of effectively addressing this challenge.

The principles include enhancing collaboration and cooperation with other international organisations to prevent duplication of work, addressing challenges encountered by WTO members, in particular least-developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing countries (SIDs), ensuring transparency and engaging openly with relevant stakeholders.

Among the priorities are collaborating with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to support amendments to the Harmonised System (HS) for traded goods to ensure more effective monitoring and regulation of plastic trade and supporting the timely conclusion of the UN negotiations on a binding instrument on plastic pollution by 2024. Other priorities include promoting the adoption of sustainable and effective non-plastic substitutes, alternatives and re-use systems and facilitating access to technologies for environmentally sound waste management.

Furthermore, the document mentions the possibility of including a series of annexes that will, among other things, offer a menu of trade policy options drawn from their discussions for participating members to voluntarily select and implement.

Five coordinators of the Dialogue-Australia, Barbados, China, Ecuador and Morocco-emphasised the alarming state of plastic pollution and called for urgent action. They acknowledged the substantial efforts that led to the development of the draft elements, stating that the document will serve as a powerful signal of support for the upcoming second round of negotiations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). The goal of these negotiations is to achieve a multilateral binding instrument on reducing plastic pollution by 2024.

They also noted that the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions have recently adopted technical guidelines for the sustainable management of plastic waste. They underscored the crucial need for providing support to LDCs and SIDs, which bear the brunt of severe plastics pollution and frequently encounter difficulties in accessing adequate financing.

Participants welcomed the draft document and gave initial feedback on various aspects. Many reiterated the significance of coordinating with ongoing international processes. Some suggested prioritising support for the ongoing negotiation process at the INC before delving into the implementation of a legal instrument that is not yet in existence. There were suggestions to incorporate best practices into the annex of the document and to make it an evolving document going beyond MC13.

Some participants stressed collective actions as a key focus of the document, suggesting the identification of a range of measures to address highly polluting products. Others recommended prioritising environment-friendly substitutes rather than only alternatives. Further consultations were suggested for the cooperation proposals put forward to the WCO by the coordinators.

During technical briefings, participants were presented with insights from various international organisations. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation shared its efforts in reducing plastic pollution in the agriculture sector. The International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation introduced its "Bamboo as a substitute for plastic initiative". The International Pollutants Elimination Network presented its study on "hidden flows" of plastic waste trade.

Observers concerned over the menacing outcome of plastic pollution in most parts of the globe consider the WTO move highly appropriate --- one that may help put in place measures for plastic trade with strict protocols by reinforcing country-level efforts to combat plastic pollution. What is important here is the adoption of a multilaterally binding instrument that, if successfully negotiated to the satisfaction of all members, will no doubt be a game changer in curbing plastic pollution.

It is expected that while framing the binding instrument, adequate attention will be given to country-specific needs to achieve the objective. Also, it is important to take stock of the methods being adopted in various countries, especially the LDCs, and to bring them to a globally harmonious practice. It is here that the provision of assisting these countries, as envisaged in the draft, should be given due importance.

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