Insights About the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution

The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 13-19, 2023. This session marks the third of five planned gatherings aimed at developing a global agreement to address the issue of plastic pollution. Despite the enthusiastic atmosphere fostered by substantive discussions and increased participation from various sectors, the lack of consensus among participants proved to be a significant challenge. Beyond the absence of consensus, there exists a dearth of justifiable evidence and transparency regarding the quantity and distribution of materials, as well as economic forecasting illustrating potential outcomes in the event of a substantial reduction in the production of plastics and petrochemicals. The stark reality is that such a reduction could pose a significant risk to global markets by failing to meet demand, potentially leading to scarcities in vital areas such as medical supplies, food provisions, and transportation products and resulting in job losses within the industrial sectors.