Youth and Stakeholder Assembly on Plastic Pollution

Over the course of four previous sessions since late 2022, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC) has engaged in extensive discussions on the key elements and legal provisions of the proposed plastics treaty. Now, the fifth session of INC (INC-5) is poised to be the final decisive meeting, aimed at culminating these intergovernmental negotiations.

The Stakeholder Community, also known as Major Groups and Stakeholders, has played a pivotal role in the Resumed Fifth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), contributing significantly to the successful adoption of resolution 5/14. However, the INC process has posed considerable challenges for these groups. Unlike UNEA's structured engagement mechanism, the INC process initially lacked a formal platform for the diverse voices of civil society. Despite this, Youth, Women, Indigenous Peoples, Scientists, Businesses, Local Authorities, and other stakeholders have remained actively engaged, persistently advocating for their priorities to be reflected in the treaty texts.

In anticipation of the pivotal INC-5 in Busan, a Youth and Stakeholder Assembly on Plastic Pollution is proposed to take place prior to the final negotiations. This strategic gathering seeks to unify the voices of youth and various stakeholders, providing a platform to refine and advance advocacy efforts. The objective is to formulate a cohesive policy stance that amplifies the demands and expectations of youth and stakeholders alike, drawing on the successes of initiatives such as the Global Youth Environment Assembly and the Global Youth Declaration on the Environment 2024.