GENeva Environment Network

The first panel session of the Multistakeholder Forum, "Science and research for an effective instrument", features representatives from #Mexico, @scientistscoa.bsky.social, the Women's Working Group on Ending Plastic Pollution, and @who.int.

Welcoming everyone to the Multistakeholder Forum, H.E. Amb. Felix Wertli of Switzerland, @unep.org Exec. Director Inger Andersen and INC Chair H.E. Amb. Luis Vayas Valdivieso address the participants at the Assembly Hall.

Ahead of #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2, the Multistakeholder Forum, organized by the host country #Switzerland, will feature a series of thematic panels, highlighting various perspectives on ending #plasticpollution.

#BehindTheScenes

A Youth Preparatory Meeting organized by the Children and Youth Major Group to @unep.org is now ongoing.

Consult highlights of the @unctad.bsky.social pre-event "Building Regional Pillars for a Plastics Treaty".

Consult the launch that took place this morning of the @thelancet.com report assessing health & #PlasticPollution links across the life cycle and of a global monitoring system on plastics.

In his opening remarks, Daniel Ramos highlights results of a @wto.org Dialogue on #PlasticPollution’s survey on trade-related plastic measures, calling for greater harmonization, alignment & interoperability across regions, starting with single-use plastics.

In the margins of #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2, this pre-event organized by @unctad.bsky.social explores how regional cooperation and legislation aligned with trade policy can help tackle #PlasticPollution & support the plastics treaty.

▶️ unctad.org/meeting/side...

In a gathering at the Assembly Hall, the traditional INC conversation with observers was held with @unep.org ED @ingerandersen.bsky.social, INC Chair H.E. Amb. Luis Vayas Valdivieso & INC Secretariat Exec. Secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp ahead of #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2 negotiations.

At Place des Nations, the artwork The #ThinkersBurden continues to grow as volunteers place more plastics around the installation, showing the growing plastics crisis we face today.

🔸 Learn more: thinkersburden.com

#BehindTheScenes at Day 0⃣ of #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2!

With over 3,500 delegates & observers gathering in #GENeva, key moments taking place today include:
🔹 Regional Consultations
🔹 Conversation with Observers
🔹 Multistakeholder Forum
🔹 Pre-events

▶️ tiny.cc/GENINC5-2

Carolyn Deere-Birkbeck of @tessforum.bsky.social stresses the #PlasticsTreaty will set the trajectory for the next decades, thus it must be dynamic and evolve over time, with science and welcomes @thelancet.com Countdown on health and plastics as a pivotal instrument supporting this transition.

"Let's take action, let's agree on an effective plastic treaty here in #GENeva."

Welcoming everyone to Geneva, Andrea Zbinden stresses that for #Switzerland, a #PlasticTreaty that protects health needs a specific article & to address chemicals in products through a global list.

Representatives from ⁠the Philippines, Ghana, Monaco & Fiji share their countries' perspectives & positions on the importance of integrating strong health provisions in the #PlasticTreaty text, including through standalone articles & initial lists of hazardous chemicals.

"Without intervention, health consequences related to plastics will escalate."

@thelancet.com Countdown on health & #plastics co-authors Martin Wagner, Jane Muncke & Christos Symeonides discuss plastic pollution impacts on health & exposure at all stages and across uses.

Richard Horton of @thelancet.com stresses The Lancet Countdown on health & #plastics aims to stimulate new science on plastic & health links, improve public awareness & inform policy-making.

🧾https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01447-3/abstract

In her opening remarks, @drmarianeira.bsky.social of @who.int shares key messages:

🔹#PlasticTreaty negotiations are part of the broader environmental health agenda;
🔹 Health sector doesn't ask for blanket exceptions & aims to contribute by reducing its plastic footprint;
🔹 Ambition is key.

#Environment: What's Up in #GENeva from 4-10 Aug?

✅ #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2
✅ Victory for #ClimateJustice #ICJAO
✅ #IndigenousPeoplesDay
✅ #WetlandsCOP15 Outcomes
✅ #ISA30 Outcomes
✅ #GreenSummer
✅ & more

Check events, #jobs & suggestions ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN4-10Aug25

In the margins of #PlasticTreaty #INC5.2, GEN is at the launch of @thelancet.com report assessing health & #PlasticPollution links across the life cycle & of a global monitoring system on plastics: The Lancet Countdown on Health & Plastics.

@tessforum.bsky.social

▶️ tessforum.org/latest/launc...

#PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2 is just around the corner, as it takes place in #GENeva from 5 to 14 August.

With meetings and activities already starting on 3 August, visit our dedicated #OffsiteBuzz page on the activities in the margins of the negotiations.

▶️ tiny.cc/GENINC5-2

#1August is #SwissNationalDay! 🇨🇭

On this special day, discover and engage in various green activities -- from exhibitions, workshops, shows and festivals -- in #GENeva.

Celebrate #FêteNationale and enjoy a #GreenSummer in the city ▶️ tiny.cc/GENGreenSummer25

#BehindTheScenes at Palais des Nations: preparations for the exhibition "Negotiating a #PlasticsTreaty" highlighting key moments on the road to #INC5.2 in #GENeva!

Find the exhibition spaces near Salon des délégués & Bldg. E Mezzanine ▶️ tiny.cc/GENINC5-2

#BehindTheScenes

Installation of The #ThinkersBurden, as The Thinker, with a baby in one hand and plastic bottles in the other, is being placed on Mother Nature.

The work now begins! The epic artwork by "The Thinker's Burden" is being mounted at Place des Nations.

Ahead of #INC5.2 in #GENeva, the installation aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to tackle and end plastic pollution.

🔸 Learn more: thinkersburden.com

Today, @giz.de interns visited the #EnvironmentHouse for an introduction to #Geneva as a global hub for environmental governance.

Valuable insights were also shared with Beatriz Fernandez of @unep.org, on #trade as an enabler toward sustainable, resilient and inclusive economies.

With a few days ahead of #PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2, the epic artwork, "The Thinker's Burden", slowly comes to life through the help of volunteers, as it shows the need to address the plastics crisis.

🔸 Learn more: thinkersburden.com
🔸 Volunteer: t.co/T3P6xLG2Jo

"The #PlasticsTreaty is an opportunity to reconnect global governance with real people’s lives."

This #GENeva #BeatPlasticPollution Dialogue ahead of #INC5.2 made clear & emphasized the need to align the treaty with existing human rights frameworks!

▶️ tiny.cc/GEN29Jul25

Highlighting the essential role of waste pickers in the #PlasticsTreaty, Soledad Mella, in a statement shared, stressed that a just transition must include direct, transparent financing and recognition of their social, environmental, and economic contributions.

Underlining the importance of the historic ICJ Advisory Opinion, Yves Lador of @earthjustice.org underscores the future #PlasticsTreaty must help courts and states to implement existing #HumanRights obligations & peoples rights in relation to plastics.

Clive Donnley of Children & Youth Major Group UNEP underscores that to be a "people's engagement treaty", the #PlasticsTreaty must align with the right to participation, include procedural rights as cross-cutting provisions. He stresses it must facilitate participation with access to information.