Industry calls on UN member states to swiftly re-engage in negotiations
Regarding the election of a new Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, Virginia Janssens, Managing Director at Plastics Europe, said:
“We welcome the election of Ambassador Julio Cordano of Chile as the new INC Chair on Saturday, 7 February 2026. This milestone signals renewed political will to advance efforts towards a legally binding global agreement on plastics pollution.
Building on this momentum, we call on all UN Member States to swiftly re-engage in multilateral discussions. Plastics pollution remains a global challenge that requires urgent, collective and coordinated solutions.
We continue to believe that the agreement needs measures that promote sustainable production and consumption, ensure effective waste management for the 2.7 billion people who currently lack access to them, and establish reporting frameworks that enable a just transition to a circular economy.
Crucially, end-of-life plastic must be recognised as a circular feedstock and commodity with real value rather than waste that is littered, landfilled or incinerated.
As UNEP and the INC prepare the next steps in what is already a complex process, we urge all stakeholders to remain focused on identifying common, nationally adaptable solutions that will deliver an equitable and ambitious global plastics agreement”.
Notes for Editors
Plastics Europe is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers with offices across Europe. For over 100 years, science and innovation have been the DNA that cuts across our industry. With members producing over 90% of all polymers across EU27+3 (Norway, Switzerland, UK) we are the catalyst for the industry with a responsibility to openly engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions which are safe, circular and sustainable. We are committed to implementing long-lasting positive change.
Press Contact
Cecilia Koshiikene
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Digital Strategy
media@plasticseurope.org