Plastic accounts for about 85% of marine litter, a stark figure shared by Bolivar Cañizares, who serves as the environment director for the Department of International Organizations at the Panama Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He notes that roughly 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans each year, a reality that underscores the urgent need for global action.
These concerns are highlighted in an article published ahead of the United Nations negotiations on the High Seas, scheduled to take place in New York by the 26th of the month. The focus is on forging a binding international framework to curb plastic pollution in international waters and to promote stronger cooperation across nations and regions.
According to Cañizares, this moment follows broad support from 175 countries for a binding agreement on plastics that was expressed during the United Nations Environment Assembly celebrations last March. The first session of the UN Working Group established to negotiate this landmark treaty is set for November, signaling a determined push to implement measures at both national and international levels aimed at reducing plastic waste in marine environments beyond national jurisdictions.
Cañizares warns that without additional measures, as much as 150 million tons of plastic could be floating in oceans by 2025. Panama is positioned as a key participant in these negotiations, as one of the few countries in the region actively drafting national regulations to reduce plastic use and to develop action plans for collecting marine litter. The country views this work as a chance to shape regional policy and to demonstrate how concrete regulations can curb the flow of plastics into the sea.
In the broader view, the negotiations are seen as an opportunity to advance a circular economy, a point reinforced by Inger Andersen, the director-general of the United Nations Environment Programme, who emphasizes that the proposed agreement can drive down the overall volume of plastic waste entering oceans. Projections in the discussion suggest that by 2040 plastics could dominate a large share of marine litter, while global plastic production continues to rise, underscoring the urgency of action. The potential benefits extend beyond environmental counts; the emphasis is on reducing greenhouse gas emissions connected to plastic life cycles and on presenting a pathway to new economic opportunities.
Beyond environmental and climate advantages, the negotiations are expected to yield social and economic gains as well. Experts anticipate significant job creation linked to improved waste management systems, recycling infrastructure, and circular-economy initiatives that valorize plastic material streams rather than discarding them. These outcomes are framed as essential components of a sustainable future for coastal communities that bear the brunt of marine pollution today.
The ongoing discussions and the evolving agreement are presented as a turning point in how nations address plastic pollution at sea. The focus remains on practical steps, including national regulations, cooperative enforcement, and incentives for innovation in materials, product design, and municipal waste systems. The ultimate aim is to reduce the influx of plastics into oceans, safeguard marine ecosystems, and create healthier coastal economies for generations to come. The ongoing stream of official statements and analyses indicates a clear global commitment to turning the tide on plastic pollution, with Panama contributing actively to the shaping of a pragmatic, enforceable framework. This momentum reflects a shared understanding that action in the near term will determine the health of oceans for decades to come, and that every nation has a role to play in this international effort. The evolving narrative continues to be reported through international channels and is summarized by the coordinating agencies involved in the negotiations. The perspectives and data cited herein are based on the latest official briefings associated with the High Seas treaty process. For further context, the information has been compiled from relevant public briefings and releases from environmental authorities and international bodies involved in the talks.