Several coordinators of the Plastics Dialogue, including Barbados, Ecuador, and Morocco, emphasized the significance of the MC13 Ministerial Statement in advancing the Dialogue's development. They highlighted that the post-MC13 work plan aims to implement this statement and achieve further results by MC14. The coordinators also welcomed three new co-sponsors: Argentina, Mongolia, and North Macedonia.
Australia presented the proposed work plan during a recent meeting. The plan suggests restarting three workstreams and continuing technical efforts through thematic seminars and surveys. These workstreams focus on crosscutting issues, strategies to reduce plastics pollution, and promoting trade to address plastics pollution. Switzerland will join Australia and the Philippines as facilitators for the 'trade promotion' workstream.
Participants were invited to explore these workstreams and discuss future steps. Presentations included studies from international organizations and innovations in non-plastic packaging from businesses.
The Chair and Secretariat of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) updated participants on negotiations for a legally binding instrument on plastics pollution. The World Customs Organization discussed progress in reforming the Harmonized System (HS) related to plastics trade. The WTO Secretariat outlined definitions for single-use plastic goods from the DPP Survey of Trade-related Plastic Measures.
Participants generally supported the draft work plan but suggested narrowing its scope for more tangible results on specific issues like single-use plastics and plastic packaging. Some called for a focus on waste management rather than eliminating all plastic products. Other key topics included social protection, biodiversity impact assessment, technology challenges, and capacity building for developing members.
Ecuador and Australia thanked attendees for their input on the work plan. They stated that feedback would guide further developments leading up to MC14. Various activities such as workshops, regular DPP meetings, and side events at WTO main events are planned to support these goals.
The Plastics Pollution Dialogue was launched in November 2020 by WTO members and now includes 79 co-sponsors representing over 85 percent of global trade in plastics.