The United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty August 2025

25 August 2025

From 5 to 14 August 2025, the United Nations convened the second part of its fifth session (INC5.2) in Geneva, with the goal of finalising the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, one addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, including design, production, chemicals, and disposal.  

Outcome 

Negotiators from 186 countries were, however, unable to reach an agreement by the session’s end. Delegates, particularly those from the High Ambition Coalition, including Australia, EU members, and Pacific Island nations, expressed disappointment at the failure to reach an agreement. 

Australia’s response  

Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress but reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the High Ambition Coalition of more than 100 nations advocating for a robust and enforceable treaty. He made it clear that Australia will not accept a weak deal that does not adequately address the problem. 

Minister Watt stated that Australia remains committed to:  

• Boosting recycling capacity via the Recycling Modernisation Fund. 

• Staying on track to double circularity by 2030 

• Phasing out Single Use Plastics – in collaboration with states and territories.  

Federal packaging regulation reform  

The AFGC continue to seek clarity from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on the next steps relating to the ongoing federal packaging regulation reform process.  Further updates will be provided as we gain clarity on the next steps and timeline.   

Sarah Collier 
Director, Sustainability