Latest news with #PSIDS
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
In Geneva, hopes fading in final talks on plastic treaty
At the halfway point of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) in Geneva to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, delegates have sought fast-track efforts to provide a treaty truly capable of ending plastic pollution. Also, the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Plastics (IIPFP) has called on governments to uphold their rights in all aspects of the treaty, as affirmed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). At the stocktaking plenary on Saturday, delegates considered an 'assembled text' and discussed the negotiation process for the remaining four days. In Geneva, negotiators from 184 nations, including a strong delegation of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), which continue to lead calls for a high ambition treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, are trying to hammer out the first-ever legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The urgency of the talks was necessitated by a new study published in The Lancet that calls plastics a 'grave, growing and under-recognised danger to human and planetary health'. In 2023, global plastic production reached 436 million metric tons, while trade in plastics surpassed $1.1 trillion, accounting for five per cent of global merchandise trade. However, 75 per cent of all plastic ever produced has become waste, much of which leaks into oceans and ecosystems, says the UN Trade and Development. It says this growing imbalance threatens public health, food systems, ecosystems, and long-term development, especially in small-island and coastal nations. The average Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs on plastic and rubber products have decreased from 34 to 7.2 per cent over the past three decades, making fossil fuel-based plastics artificially inexpensive. In contrast, natural alternatives such as paper, bamboo, natural fibers, and seaweed face average MFN tariffs of 14.4 per cent. According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, during the discussion, delegations were united on one thing: the negotiations are moving too slowly. On this, they made several suggestions, with Colombia calling for full days of informal negotiations and the EU and China urging the INC Chair to engage in 'shuttle diplomacy' to move the text forward. Many others were concerned about the 'unchecked' expansion of the text, with Fiji calling for a time-bound process to streamline the text. Several delegations called for a dedicated discussion on scope. Despite Indigenous Peoples' record attendance, an analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) reveals the disproportionate influence of polluting industries on these negotiations. At least 234 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists, a new high compared to the 221 identified by CIEL at INC-5, have registered to participate in the fifth and final scheduled session of the INC-5.2 of the plastics treaty negotiations. It says the strong presence of lobbyists at this stage of the negotiations raises concerns about corporate influence at a pivotal moment, when negotiators are expected to finalise the treaty text and lay the groundwork for its adoption. In a written statement submitted to the plenary, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), representing the interests of the 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states, made a firm call for a treaty rooted in accountability, ambition, and action. The underway negotiations follow INC-5, which took place in November-December 2024 in Busan in Korea. That meeting was preceded by four previous sessions: INC-1, which took place in Punta del Este in November 2022, INC-2, which was held in Paris in June 2023, INC-3, which happened in Nairobi in November 2023, and INC-4, held in Ottawa in April 2024. 'Plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans and even in our bodies. If we continue on this trajectory, the whole world will be drowning in plastic pollution -- with massive consequences for our planetary, economic and human health,' said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. 'But this does not have to be our future. Together, we can solve this challenge. Agreeing on a treaty text is the first step to beating plastic pollution for everyone, everywhere,' Andersen said. Since Busan, in the run-up to INC-5.2, a series of informal ministerial meetings, regional consultations, and heads of delegations meetings have taken place. 'We are here today to fulfil an international mandate. This is a unique and historic opportunity for the international community to bridge differences and find common ground. It is not just a test of our diplomacy -- it is a test of our collective responsibility to protect the environment, safeguard human health, enable sustainable economies, and stand in solidarity with those most affected by this plastic pollution crisis,' said Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the INC. As of the opening day on August 4, more than 3,700 participants had registered to participate in INC-5.2, representing 184 countries and over 619 observer organisations.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific Leaders Demand Fairer Global Finance At UN Conference Delivered By The Prime Minister Of Tuvalu, Chair Of PSIDS
Seville, Spain, 30 June 2025 – At the second plenary session of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), Tuvalu's Prime Minister Hon. Feleti P. Teo, in his role as Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), delivered a powerful group statement calling for urgent reforms to the global financial system. 'The choice before us is stark: stand with the most vulnerable and deliver justice, or uphold a flawed system that deepens inequality and crisis,' declared Prime Minister Teo. Amid rising climate threats, deepening debt crises, and a widening development financing gap, the PSIDS group urged bold global action across six key areas: Climate Justice Now: Prime Minister Teo questioned the lack of urgency, asking, 'Where is the Marshall Plan for climate action?' and called for scaled-up climate finance and immediate replenishment of the Loss and Damage Fund. Targeted Support for Vulnerable Countries: The PSIDS welcomed the reaffirmation of SIDS as countries in special situations and pushed for the immediate use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) in allocating concessional finance. Tackling Inequities in Global Taxation: The group supported a UN Framework Convention on Tax Cooperation, advocating for fair taxation of billionaires and multinationals, with PM Teo stating, 'A 2% tax on billionaire wealth could unlock $250 billion annually — enough to start closing global financing gaps.' Restore Correspondent Banking Access: The group called for concrete action to protect vulnerable jurisdictions in the Pacific from losing vital international banking relationships. Financing the Ocean Economy: Reaffirming that the ocean is core to PSIDS identity, the group demanded that ocean initiatives — like SDG14 and the BBNJ Agreement — be fully funded and integrated into global mechanisms. A Just Transition from Fossil Fuels: Disappointed by the removal of fossil fuel phase-out language from the outcome document, the PSIDS called for a 'just, equitable, and time-bound global phase-out.' 'PSIDS contributed negligibly to this emergency — yet here we are, bearing its full cost,' Prime Minister Teo reminded delegates. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States PSIDS, endorsed the Sevilla Platform for Action as a critical tool for follow-through, while also expressing concern over the dilution of ambition in the final outcome document. 'What we need now is not more plans, but political will, bold leadership, and relentless implementation,' said Prime Minister Teo in closing. As small island nations with vast ocean territories and deep cultural resilience, the PSIDS continue to advocate for a global financing system that is fair, future-focused, and fit for purpose.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific Leaders Demand Fairer Global Finance At UN ConferenceDelivered By The Prime Minister Of Tuvalu, Chair Of PSIDS
Seville, Spain, 30 June 2025 – At the second plenary session of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), Tuvalu's Prime Minister Hon. Feleti P. Teo, in his role as Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), delivered a powerful group statement calling for urgent reforms to the global financial system. 'The choice before us is stark: stand with the most vulnerable and deliver justice, or uphold a flawed system that deepens inequality and crisis,' declared Prime Minister Teo. Amid rising climate threats, deepening debt crises, and a widening development financing gap, the PSIDS group urged bold global action across six key areas: Climate Justice Now: Prime Minister Teo questioned the lack of urgency, asking, 'Where is the Marshall Plan for climate action?' and called for scaled-up climate finance and immediate replenishment of the Loss and Damage Fund. Targeted Support for Vulnerable Countries: The PSIDS welcomed the reaffirmation of SIDS as countries in special situations and pushed for the immediate use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) in allocating concessional finance. Tackling Inequities in Global Taxation: The group supported a UN Framework Convention on Tax Cooperation, advocating for fair taxation of billionaires and multinationals, with PM Teo stating, 'A 2% tax on billionaire wealth could unlock $250 billion annually — enough to start closing global financing gaps.' Restore Correspondent Banking Access: The group called for concrete action to protect vulnerable jurisdictions in the Pacific from losing vital international banking relationships. Financing the Ocean Economy: Reaffirming that the ocean is core to PSIDS identity, the group demanded that ocean initiatives — like SDG14 and the BBNJ Agreement — be fully funded and integrated into global mechanisms. A Just Transition from Fossil Fuels: Disappointed by the removal of fossil fuel phase-out language from the outcome document, the PSIDS called for a 'just, equitable, and time-bound global phase-out.' 'PSIDS contributed negligibly to this emergency — yet here we are, bearing its full cost,' Prime Minister Teo reminded delegates. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States PSIDS, endorsed the Sevilla Platform for Action as a critical tool for follow-through, while also expressing concern over the dilution of ambition in the final outcome document. 'What we need now is not more plans, but political will, bold leadership, and relentless implementation,' said Prime Minister Teo in closing. As small island nations with vast ocean territories and deep cultural resilience, the PSIDS continue to advocate for a global financing system that is fair, future-focused, and fit for purpose.
