On September 18, 2024, discussions at the Plastics Pollution Dialogue focused on two critical areas: capacity building and inventories of trade-related plastic measures (TrPMs). These discussions are essential for addressing plastics pollution while maintaining trade as a part of the solution.
During the session on capacity building, delegations explored ways to enhance the capabilities of developing members to integrate trade into their strategies for combating plastics pollution. Following a presentation by the WTO Secretariat, participants reviewed data from the WTO's Aid for Trade Global Review and Needs Assessment Survey. This aimed to align existing funding opportunities with the specific trade-related needs of developing members. Since MC13, seven funding projects have been facilitated through the Dialogue's efforts.
Delegations shared insights into current or planned trade-related capacity-building programs from both donor and recipient perspectives. Members emphasized collaboration with international organizations such as the World Bank, OECD, and UNCTAD, which support developing tailored programs that help incorporate sustainable trade practices into domestic strategies against plastics pollution.
The discussions also focused on refining efforts to match funding opportunities with trade-related needs ahead of MC14. Delegates considered new initiatives or cooperation areas that could be launched at the next Ministerial Conference to further support developing members in combating plastics pollution through trade.
Guiding questions included how existing capacity-building programs could be better utilized under the DPP and what steps could be taken at MC14 to enhance developing members' ability to address plastics pollution through trade measures. These questions underscore the need for strategic action and resource optimization globally through trade mechanisms.
In examining TrPMs, participants discussed developing domestic inventories of these measures. The WTO Secretariat presented results from a TrPM survey, highlighting gaps in available information on policies and regulations targeting plastics pollution.
An open discussion raised the possibility of creating a global, publicly accessible online inventory of TrPMs. Such a platform could include structured information like Harmonized System (HS) codes to enhance transparency and promote international cooperation on trade-related policies addressing plastics pollution.
Delegations debated whether this initiative would be useful if hosted by the WTO in collaboration with other institutions while avoiding duplication with other efforts. They also discussed establishing domestic coordination mechanisms like focal points or interministerial committees to streamline managing TrPMs domestically.
Key questions included whether a global online TrPMs inventory would increase transparency and facilitate cooperation among members and whether domestic coordination mechanisms could improve implementing trade-related measures against plastics pollution. These discussions highlight transparency and coordination's importance in tackling global plastics pollution through trade policies.
As delegations work towards MC14, progress made by the DPP reflects participants' commitment to addressing plastics pollution through innovative, trade-related solutions. The DPP will reconvene in coming months to address remaining focus areas and continue refining their approach integrating trade into global efforts against plastics pollution.
Participating delegations agreed that these discussions' outcomes will shape MC14's agenda and ensure meaningful contributions from trade towards addressing one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.