WTO Plastics Dialogue Lays Out Focus Points for Upcoming Work

Coordinators of the World Trade Organization's Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade on July 24 laid out "points of focus" for the three "workstreams" which make up the dialogue's "work plan," the WTO said. The focus points will guide the dialogue's work leading up to the 14th Ministerial Conference.

The first workstream, which covers cross-cutting issues, the coordinators said the points of focus revolve around topics including the "role of the Dialogue vis-a-vis the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee." The committee was established to develop an "international legally binding instrument on plastics pollution" and enhance transparency in trade flows and capacity in developing members.

The second workstream, which is centered on reduction strategies to combat plastics pollution, will center on "identifying members' trade-related plastics measures, identifying potential best practices, and single-use plastics related measures," the WTO said. Lastly, regarding the use of trade to tackle plastics pollution, WTO members will center on "access to technologies and services, and enhancing trade cooperation on non-plastics substitutes and alternatives," the WTO said.

During the meeting, Ecuador and Barbados proposed a roadmap for 2024-25.