The coordinators reported on the results of their consultations regarding priorities for the Dialogue's work in 2024 and 2025. Representing the six coordinators (Australia, Barbados, China, Ecuador, Fiji, Morocco), Ecuador and Barbados expressed gratitude to members for responding to a questionnaire on priorities and engaging in consultations over recent weeks.
On behalf of all co-coordinators, Shani Griffith-Jack (Barbados) and Daniela Garcia (Ecuador) outlined the results of the questionnaire and consultations, reflecting varied views within the group. They noted that survey responses represented about 60% of the Dialogue's co-sponsors.
Points of focus were identified for the three workstreams forming the core of the DPP's post-MC13 work plan. For the cross-cutting issues workstream, points converged around topics such as the role of the Dialogue vis-a-vis the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) established to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastics pollution, enhancing developing members' capacity to integrate trade as part of the solution, and improving transparency in trade flows of plastics.
For reduction strategies to tackle plastics pollution, identified points include further identifying members' trade-related plastics measures, potential best practices, and single-use plastics related measures. Regarding promoting trade to tackle plastics pollution, focus points include access to technologies and services and enhancing trade cooperation on non-plastics substitutes and alternatives.
Based on these findings, Ecuador and Barbados proposed a roadmap for 2024-2025 with a tentative schedule for DPP's work.
Participants praised the open consultative process and welcomed the coordinators' report and proposals. They highlighted priority points of focus and emphasized the Dialogue's role in providing information on plastics-related trade data flows and measures.
The coordinators thanked members for overall convergence on points of focus. Noting that some delegations are still submitting inputs to the survey, they encouraged finalizing submissions to conclude consultations. They anticipated starting work on these points at DPP's next meeting scheduled for September.
Coordinators also welcomed Brazil as the 82nd member of DPP. They appreciated growing membership and strong engagement from different regions and levels of development. Continuous deep engagement was called for to deliver concrete outcomes by MC14.
Launched in November 2020 by a group of WTO members, the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution currently consists of 82 co-sponsors representing almost 90 percent of global trade in plastics.