Plastic accounts for about 85% of waste found in the oceans. Bolivar Cañizares, who directs environment policy at the Department of International Organizations within the Panama Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notes that around 11 million metric tons of plastic enter marine waters each year. This stark figure underscores the scale of the challenge and the urgency of international action.
His remarks come ahead of the United Nations talks on governing the high seas, scheduled to convene in New York by the 26th of the month. The discussions are framed as a decisive step toward a binding global treaty aimed at preventing plastic pollution and safeguarding marine ecosystems.
Cañizares recalls that during the recent United Nations Environment Assembly, representatives from roughly 175 nations supported the adoption of binding measures to curb plastic pollution. The current negotiations mark the first formal session of a UN Working Group tasked with drafting the international agreement, with an emphasis on national and cross-border cooperation to cut plastic waste and its impacts on the ocean.
The Panamanian official stresses that if no further actions are taken, the oceans could harbor as much as 150 million tons of plastic by 2025. In his view, Panama can play a pivotal role in shaping the treaty, as the country advances a national framework to reduce plastic use and to implement concrete plans for collecting and processing marine litter.
He adds that the negotiations present a chance to push for a circular economy model, a point echoed by voices from the broader international community. Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, has highlighted that the agreement could help redirect production and consumption toward more sustainable patterns, shrinking the volume of plastics entering marine systems over time and reducing environmental harm.
Opening pathways toward lower emissions, the text of the agreement is also expected to contribute to climate goals by cutting greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and waste management. Estimates suggest notable environmental and economic benefits, including job creation and new markets for recycled materials, though the exact scope will depend on the final provisions negotiated by member states.
The broader message from policymakers is clear: effective plastic reduction requires both national leadership and international collaboration. By aligning laws and incentives across borders, nations can accelerate cleanup efforts, enhance recycling infrastructure, and support innovation in alternative materials. The anticipated treaty aims to codify practices that keep plastics from reaching sensitive ocean zones and ensure accountability for producers, exporters, and recyclers.
The ongoing discussions are being monitored by researchers, environmental advocates, and industry representatives who emphasize practical steps such as waste sorting, extended producer responsibility, and the development of robust systems for tracking plastic flows. While the negotiations are complex and ongoing, the emerging consensus points toward a comprehensive framework that balances environmental protection with sustainable economic development.
For readers seeking full context, the statements and analyses from Bolivar Cañizares are available through EFEverde, with the agency noting the ongoing efforts and potential outcomes of the talks. The cited material provides additional background on national actions, regional cooperation, and the strategic importance of a binding international agreement on plastics in the marine environment. (Source: Agencia EFE, EFEverde)