THE PHILIPPINES HAS JOINED THE FIRST MEETING OF THE UN GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

THE PHILIPPINES HAS JOINED THE FIRST MEETING OF THE UN GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

It is a good thing that the Philippines has attended the first-ever meeting of the UN Global Plastics Treaty held in Geneva recently. This is a landmark initiative—one that could eventually shape how the world tackles the scourge of plastic pollution. For sure, there will be more meetings to follow, and with them, the recurring question: who should lead the next Philippine delegations?

As a former Foreign Service Officer (FSO), I will admit my bias: the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should lead all delegations and negotiations abroad. We are not talking about ordinary conferences here—these are intense, high-stakes negotiations that will culminate in a treaty. Such a treaty will have to be ratified by our Senate and signed by the President. That requires not just technical expertise, but also diplomatic skill, familiarity with treaty law, and the ability to navigate international politics.

That said, I have yet to hear of any call for papers, consultations, or even a whisper of public discussion on what the Philippines should bring to the table in these talks. Do you know of any NGO that was asked to submit a position paper? I don’t. And I find that troubling.

Ideally, every sector in the plastic supply chain should have been consulted—from producers to distributors, from consumers to waste collectors. Without such input, are we only hearing the voices of the regulators and the violators, but not the advocates? Could some agencies be quietly blocking the participation of environmental groups to avoid uncomfortable truths?

If consultations were skipped for the first round, perhaps we can still remedy this in the future rounds. Beyond DENR, agencies like DTI, DOST, MMDA, DA, BFAR, and DOH should be at the table. Plastics affect not only waste streams, but also agriculture, fisheries, and public health—especially with the growing concern over microplastics.

The DENR is currently leading the Philippine delegation, with DFA providing support. The team is also joined by Filipino civil society advocates like Greenpeace Philippines, EcoWaste Coalition, GAIA, and members of the Break Free from Plastic Movement. But should they be the only ones involved? These groups are pushing for strong, binding commitments to cut plastic production, ban toxic additives, and end incineration as a “solution.” Their point is clear: the treaty must address the full life cycle of plastics—not just waste management.

Why is this important? Because the Philippines is both a top contributor to ocean plastic pollution and one of the most vulnerable to its impacts. Coastal barangays and urban flood zones pay the price for plastic waste—whether in the form of blocked drainage during storms or toxic leachate contaminating water sources.

Unfortunately, the current treaty draft is already under fire for dropping key provisions on production limits and chemical bans. A watered-down agreement will do little for countries like ours, where plastic waste is not just an environmental problem but a public health and economic one.

This is where leadership matters. Since Ambassador Carlos Sorreta is already in Geneva as our Permanent Representative to the UN, why not have him lead the delegation? He has the diplomatic credentials, the multilateral experience, and the proximity to the negotiating floor. For technical backup, the Roster of Inventors, Scientists, and Engineers (ROSIE) could be tapped for expertise.

Negotiations like these are a mix of science, politics, and persuasion. The Philippines needs a head delegate who understands the legal language of treaties, the technical aspects of plastic pollution, and the subtle art of coalition-building. We should be aligning with the so-called High Ambition Coalition—countries pushing for production caps, chemical phase-outs, and binding obligations.

But to negotiate strongly abroad, we must first get our act together at home. This means inclusive consultations, a clear national position, and the courage to challenge powerful industry lobbies. If the treaty is meant to be a turning point, let us make sure it turns in the right direction—towards a Philippines that no longer drowns in its own plastic waste.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

10-23-2025 

 

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