Suchithra, PhD Researcher at our Chair - recently participated in the event “Unpacking the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations” held on October 28–29 at Maastricht University. The event was jointly organised by the Institute for Globalisation and International Regulation (IGIR), the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Science and Engineering in collaboration with Syschemiq, supported by the Sustainable UM2030 research program. It brought together delegates, academics, policymakers, lawyers, scientists, civil society actors, and business representatives for an expert seminar and a public conference. The discussions focused on the lessons learnt from the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and explored practical pathways to advance global action on plastic pollution. Notably, the event also featured lawyers and delegates from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland who had directly/indirectly participated in the treaty negotiations, offering instructive perspectives.
The two-day programme featured insightful exchanges across disciplines and sectors. The first panel examined key aspects of the negotiations, including upstream and downstream measures, financial mechanisms, and inclusivity in the treaty process. The second panel, “Looking Ahead – How to Conclude a Treaty”, explored geopolitical dynamics, the alignment of the treaty with EU regulations, and the evolving role of business and civil society in its implementation. The event provided a rich platform for technical and policy dialogue, offering a unique opportunity to engage with experts and negotiators shaping the future of global plastics governance.