Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George is leading a South African delegation attending the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) on Plastic Pollution, currently under way in Geneva, Switzerland.

In a media release, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) describes this session as a critical opportunity to finalise a legally binding global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

George reaffirmed South Africa’s strong support for urgent and coordinated international action to end plastic pollution across its full life cycle.

“Plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing environmental threats facing our planet. South Africa supports the conclusion of a legally binding agreement that will help reduce plastic waste and promote a more sustainable future for all,” he says.

The DFFE notes that plastic pollution is already harming communities, economies and ecosystems – from land to rivers to oceans, noting that global plastic production has rocketed, from two-million tonnes in 1950, to 475-million tonnes in 2022.

Without urgent intervention, the department warns that South Africa’s plastic pollution is expected to nearly double by 2040 compared with 2020 levels.

In response, South Africa has moved to ban plastic microbeads.

Draft regulations have been signed and are set to be published for public comment. These regulations aim to prohibit the manufacture, import, export, sale and distribution of microbeads and products containing them.

“South Africa is acting with urgency to address this crisis. But no country can solve it alone. We need global cooperation, innovation and ambition,” says George.

The INC process was established by the UN Environment Programme in 2022, following the adoption of a resolution to develop a treaty addressing plastic pollution, including marine plastic.

While the first part of INC 5 took place in Busan, Republic of Korea, in November 2024, a final agreement was not reached and negotiations have resumed in Geneva.

The DFFE explains that the expected treaty will cover the full life cycle of plastics, from production and design to disposal, adding that it will also align with existing global commitments on climate change, biodiversity and chemical safety.

“Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue. It affects public health, sustainable development and the future of our oceans. We must act now,” George continues.