On the eve of the fifth session of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) reiterated that the future instrument must take into account the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

“We will not accept a treaty that does not recognise the special circumstances of SIDS,” said the current chair of AOSIS and Samoa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru.

“As SIDS, we are disproportionately affected by transboundary plastic pollution and there needs to be urgent action to remedy this issue, coupled with the means to do so, including financial resources. We are calling for stronger legal obligations for the remediation of existing plastic pollution in the marine environment, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction,” the Ambassador said.

The 14 Pacific Island members of AOSIS joined 25 other small island and low-lying coastal developing states in Busan, Republic of Korea to finalise preparations for INC-5. The final session of the INC will take place from 25 November to 1 December at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO).

The plastic pollution crisis has placed Pacific communities at the forefront of impacts despite the region contributing just 1.3 per cent to global plastic pollution.  

Ambassador Luteru urged delegates to remain steadfast and continue their fight for an inclusive, ambitious, equitable, and innovative instrument.

“Whenever I go home, back to my village, I’m always reminded of why these negotiations matter. Think about the people you represent, whose lives we aim to improve, and the impact of the decisions we make here on our communities back home.”

The three-day coordination meeting focused on reviewing the draft compilation text and the INC Chair’s Third Non-Paper. These documents will serve as the basis for negotiations at INC-5, where member states will work toward narrowing areas of divergence and agreeing on the treaty’s final provisions.

The AOSIS membership also held discussions with the INC Chair, Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso of Ecuador. In acknowledging his leadership in guiding the INC process, Ambassador Luteru said, ‘we value your efforts in providing us with key documents such as the Chair’s Non-Papers, Scenario Note, and Supplementary Note. These tools have been instrumental as we collectively strive to complete our work by the end of 2024.”

The Chair of AOSIS also urged Ambassador Vayas to ensure balanced meeting schedules during negotiations, stressing the challenges small delegations face in covering multiple parallel sessions. He also stressed the need for a clear pathway to refine the negotiation text, addressing the current gaps while avoiding the risk of an unmanageable compilation text.

The INC Chair reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with AOSIS saying his door was always open. “We have listened to one another—heard diverse views, heard different positions, and, as we gather here in Busan, it is time to action it.  This is where we build bridges and find common ground and work collaboratively to negotiate a robust and effective agreement that addresses the critical challenges before us,” Ambassador Valdivieso said.

The INC process was initiated following the adoption of UNEA Resolution 5/14 in March 2022, which called for the development of an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. In the last two years, four sessions of negotiations have taken place in Uruguay, France, Kenya and Canada.

Since 1990, AOSIS has represented the interests of the 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states in international climate change, sustainable development negotiations and processes.

This story was originally published at SPREP on 25 November 2024, reposted via PACNEWS.