As final negotiations for a binding Global Plastics Treaty approach, a new initiative emerges to help countries plan and deliver national strategies.
With the world watching, governments are gathering in Geneva this week for what is expected to be the final phase of negotiations (INC-5.2) on a historic Global Plastics Treaty.
The treaty aims to establish legally binding international rules to end plastic pollution. While the global scope of the treaty is ambitious, its success hinges heavily on what happens at the national level.
Recognising this, a new National Planning Working Group on Plastics Action was launched today to ensure countries are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to translate treaty commitments into real-world action.
A collaborative force with proven impact
The newly formed Working Group brings together an alliance of high-impact organisations, including Common Seas, Global Plastic Action Partnership (World Economic Forum), Global Plastics Policy Centre, IUCN, World Bank, WRAP, and Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Collectively, these organisations have already supported national plastic action planning in over 60 countries. Their combined expertise will help fill key gaps in national capacity, from technical support to stakeholder alignment and investment mobilisation.
This initiative was unveiled on the sidelines of the treaty negotiations, sending a clear message: strong global rules must be matched by equally strong national action.
Dr Antaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, explained: “National plans have the potential to turn Treaty commitments into practical, coordinated action. But getting them right takes time, resources, and support.
“Our aim is to ensure countries aren’t left to figure it out alone and that they have access to tools, evidence, and shared experience to shape plans that are locally relevant and more likely to deliver lasting change.”
Why national planning is the backbone of the treaty
The draft treaty text proposes national plans as the primary mechanism for implementing treaty obligations.
Whether it’s reducing plastic production, managing waste, or enabling circular economies, well-structured national plans are essential to making the treaty effective.
However, many countries struggle to turn ambition into action. A lack of technical support, fragmented efforts, and insufficient financing are just some of the challenges.
The new Working Group is designed to overcome these barriers by providing a trusted, coordinated support system grounded in real-world experience.
New report highlights what makes national plans work
To mark its launch, the Working Group released a key publication: “Effective National Planning to Coordinate Action on Plastic Pollution“, authored by the Global Plastics Policy Centre.
The report distils lessons from years of on-the-ground work and outlines what makes national planning effective.
Key insights include:
- Engagement drives success: Inclusive, transparent planning builds legitimacy and public trust. Engaging the private sector early is vital for innovation and investment.
- Structure over templates: While national plans must reflect local contexts, they should define institutional roles clearly, include legal and financial frameworks, and align with broader development goals.
- Planning equals implementation: Effective national strategies treat planning as the beginning of long-term implementation, not a separate phase.
- Investment follows clarity: Countries with detailed national plans are better positioned to secure funding through public, private, and blended finance.
- Support exists but must be tailored: Many tools already exist, from templates to case studies, but they must be adapted to local realities and linked to capacity-building efforts.
- Broader alignment increases impact: Plans that integrate climate, biodiversity, and health agendas are more likely to gain political backing and deliver lasting results.
A platform for collaboration and action
The Working Group serves as a global hub for peer exchange, practical guidance, and technical expertise. It aims to reduce duplication, avoid fragmented efforts, and promote shared learning across countries.
Recognising that no one-size-fits-all solution exists, the group emphasises locally driven, inclusive processes adapted to national priorities and capabilities.
Governments, development agencies, businesses, and technical partners are encouraged to collaborate with the Working Group – whether they are beginning their planning journey or refining existing efforts.
Thais Vojvodic, Director of Partnerships at Common Seas, added: “Several countries are already showing leadership by developing ambitious national strategies to tackle plastic pollution.
“Previous environmental agreements show that doing so can be a powerful tool to accelerate access to financing for implementation. This is vital for countries like Small Island Developing States, which are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.
“The Working Group is committed to continuing to support countries on the development of national planning and sharing learnings to accelerate action.”
The road ahead: Making the treaty real
As the Global Plastics Treaty edges closer to adoption, it’s clear that national planning will be the linchpin of its success.
The National Planning Working Group on Plastics Action stands ready to ensure countries are not only part of the agreement but are empowered to deliver on their promise.
This global treaty represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. With coordinated support and action at every level, we may finally turn the tide on plastic pollution.
