What is the Seychelles' plea at the UN plastic pollution treaty talks?

The Seychelles, represented by Angelique Pouponneau, is pleading for decisive action to address plastic pollution that is contaminating its fish, beaches, and oceans, undermining the country's tourism-dependent way of life.

What is the key point of contention at the UN plastic pollution treaty talks?

The main debate is over whether the treaty should require limiting plastic production, with oil-producing countries opposed and many other nations and companies believing that is essential to address the crisis.

How serious is the global plastic pollution problem according to the UN?

The UN estimates that between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and that figure could jump by 50% by 2040 without urgent action.

Home / Environment / Seychelles Pleads for Decisive Action as Plastic Chokes Island Ecosystems

Seychelles Pleads for Decisive Action as Plastic Chokes Island Ecosystems

5 Aug

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Summary

175 nations agreed to create first legally binding plastic pollution treaty by 2024
Debate over limiting plastic production divides oil-producing and developing nations
Plastic contamination undermines tourism and way of life in Seychelles

Seychelles Pleads for Decisive Action as Plastic Chokes Island Ecosystems

On August 5th, 2025, negotiators from around the world are meeting in Geneva for the sixth and final round of talks to complete a landmark treaty aimed at ending the global plastic pollution crisis. The negotiations have been ongoing since 2022, when 175 nations agreed to create the first legally binding agreement to address the full life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal.

A key point of contention has been whether the treaty should require cutting plastic production, with powerful oil-producing nations firmly opposed. These countries argue that redesign, recycling, and reuse can solve the problem without limiting production. However, many other nations and major companies believe that approach is not enough to address the scale of the crisis.

Angelique Pouponneau, the lead ocean negotiator for 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states, has been a vocal advocate for production limits. Back home in the Seychelles, she has seen firsthand how plastic contaminates the fish her community eats, piles up on beaches, and chokes the ocean, undermining the country's tourism-dependent way of life. Pouponneau warns that this may be the "world's final opportunity to get this done and to get it done right."

The United Nations Environment Programme's Executive Director, Inger Andersen, acknowledges the complexity of the issues but stresses the urgent need for a solution, stating that "everybody wants it" and that she has "yet to meet somebody who is in favor of plastic pollution." With an estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems annually, a failure to act could see that figure jump by 50% by 2040.

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