Stalled at the Negotiating Table: Updates from INC-5.2 Towards a Global Plastics Treaty

On 15 August 2025, the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee ( INC-5.2 ) on an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution concluded without agreement. Despite high expectations for substantial progress at this additional session, negotiations revealed persistent divisions between States over production caps, a financial mechanism and decision-making procedures. However, describing INC-5.2 as a mere failure would be misleading: areas of convergence were identified, and some progress was evident amid delays. This article examines the procedural dynamics and substantive developments of INC-5.2 , offering reflections on its outcomes and potential paths forward.