Will the International Convention on Plastic Regulation be born?a negotiation in Busan

Environmental groups urge '∀' to draw 'International Convention on Plastic Pollution'More than 170 Countries Set To Create 'Plastic Conventions' Within This Year
Opening of the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee (INC) in Busan
Differences between developed countries and developing countries over the ratio of financial resources to implement the agreement
Launch of 'Plastic Circular Economy-led Cooperation' with Industry

[Anchor]
Negotiations to regulate plastic production internationally, like carbon emissions, have opened in Busan.

If negotiations between governments are concluded as targeted, the first international agreement to be legally binding on plastic emissions and management will be born.

This is reporter Lee Moon-seok.

[Reporter]
The "eye of surveillance" presented by the environmental group Greenpeace shows the world's interest in calling for the conclusion of an "international agreement on plastic pollution."

Global plastic generation increased from 150 million tons in 2000 to 350 million tons in 2019 and is expected to exceed 1 billion tons in 2060.

Therefore, more than 170 countries at the United Nations Environmental Assembly have decided to make a legally binding international agreement by this year to regulate the entire process from plastic production to consumption and processing.

The 5th Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) meeting, which opened in Busan, has been a forum for efforts over the past two years.

There are two major mountains to cross for a successful agreement.

First of all, we must narrow our differences between producers and consumers regarding regulations on the production of plastic raw materials.

In the past four rounds of negotiations, plastic producers such as China have been opposed to restrictions on raw material production, while consumer countries such as the European Union have been determined to set reduction targets.

In addition, it is necessary to reduce the difference in positions on how much developed and developing countries will bear the financial resources for implementing the agreement.

The chairman of the negotiating committee expressed confidence in drawing up the agreement.

[Lewis Bayas Valvidierso / Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on the International Convention on Plastic Pollution]: I am sure that through this meeting here in Busan, we will end the (plastic) crisis and come up with an agreement or an agreement for a future agreement.]

Korea, the host country, also launched 'plastic circular economy-led cooperation' with the industry to boost the atmosphere.

However, he expressed a cautious position on reducing production in that he is a plastic producer and a consumer at the same time.

[Kim Wan-seop / Minister of Environment: Rather than a uniform and direct regulation method, it is better to approach it step by step and in various ways....]

The final conclusion of the plastic regulation agreement will be decided on the 1st of next month.

Some predict that the negotiations can be concluded in the form of agreeing on a large framework and gradually developing detailed standards, as the differences are so large.

I'm YTN's Lee Munseok.

Reporter for shooting
: Jeon Jae-young
Video editing:Juyeon Lee
Design: Lee Wonhee
Screen courtesy: Reuters/UNEP