UNOC-3: 95 countries sign the 'Nice Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty'

Plastic pollution is a global problem with harmful consequences for the environment and human health. Every year, around 460 million tons of plastic are produced. If we do nothing, this figure is set to triple by 2060.

That's why today, at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) organized by France and Costa Rica from June 9 to 13, 2025 in Nice, a joint declaration signed by 95 countries reaffirms our shared global ambition to put an end to the scourge of plastic pollution. In line with the mandate of Resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly, countries from all regions of the world were able to proclaim their determination to conclude an ambitious and effective international treaty taking into account the entire life cycle of plastics.

This joint declaration is based on five points to reach an agreement that lives up to what science tells us and what our citizens are demanding:

1.        Call for the adoption of a global target to reduce the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers;

2.        Establish a legally binding obligation to phase out the most problematic plastic products and chemicals of concern, by supporting the development of a global list of these products and substances;

3.        Improve, through a binding obligation, the design of plastic products and ensure a minimal environmental impact that protects human health;

4.        Provide a financial mechanism commensurate with the ambition of the treaty and supporting its effective implementation;

5.         Commit to an effective and ambitious treaty that can evolve over time and respond to changing evidence and emerging knowledge.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, Sea and Fisheries, declared: “I am delighted to see so many countries reaffirming the need for an ambitious treaty to put an end to plastic pollution. This is a strong signal that we are collectively sending to the rest of the world, just a few weeks before the negotiations resume in Geneva. Without ambiguity, and as more than a hundred countries had already hammered home in Busan last December, we reiterate the urgent need to act, by acting at the source of the problem, to reduce our production and consumption of plastics, and by proposing concrete solutions to do so.”

Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, declared: “Plastic pollution is a scourge, and the ocean is its first victim. The Mediterranean Sea in particular is suffocating under the weight of this pollution. Science is alerting us to its impact on climate, biodiversity and human health, and urging us to act. That's why we wanted to launch this Nice Appeal, in favor of an ambitious treaty against plastic pollution, by organizing a large-scale diplomatic mobilization, commensurate with the stakes for our fellow citizens.”

Barbara Pompili, French Ambassador for the Environment, declared: “With less than two months to go before a crucial negotiating session on the plastics treaty, almost 100 countries have joined forces to reaffirm their determination to provide a response that is equal to the challenge. This is a powerful signal of hope.”

Towards a global treaty to end plastic pollution

In March 2022, the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a landmark resolution to negotiate a global treaty to end plastic pollution, based on a comprehensive approach covering the entire life cycle of plastics. After five initial negotiating sessions (Uruguay, France, Kenya, Canada and South Korea), a “CIN-5.2” session will be held in Geneva (Switzerland) from August 5 to 14, 2025.

At INC-5, a coalition of over 100 countries from all regional groups and all levels of development reaffirmed their ambition to conclude an ambitious treaty covering the entire plastics life cycle (including production reduction).

The “Nice wake up call for an ambitious plastics treaty” aims to reaffirm this majority ambition just a few weeks before the resumption of negotiations in Geneva.

As the host of the 2nd negotiating session and committed to ambition from the outset, France, like the European Union, continues to work towards a successful outcome to the negotiation process.