These are fraught times for global treaty-making. Geopolitical tensions, populist impulses, powerful economic forces, and scientific and technological uncertainty vastly complicate negotiations. In 2022, the UN secretary-general complained that multilateralism was under attack, and things have only worsened since then. Despite this, three multilateral treaties have been adopted by consensus in the last two years: the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (2023), the UN Convention against Cybercrime (2024), and, after the US delegation withdrew, the Pandemic Agreement (2025). The Pact for the Future—not a treaty but a global normative instrument—was also adopted by consensus in September 2024. Negotiations are underway on multilateral treaties on tax cooperation and crimes against humanity. So, while the headwinds are against successful treaty negotiations, it is premature to declare the death of multilateralism.

An important test case in the coming month is the effort to end plastics pollution. Negotiations on a global plastics treaty were mandated by the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022. The negotiating mandate is broad (“a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic”), and the battle lines quickly formed between those who support a strong treaty and those who oppose it. About 99% of plastics are currently fossil fuel–derived, though bioplastics hold significant sustainable potential. Plastics are both a source of health-damaging pollution and essential to the built world (we wear, sit in, work in, sleep in, eat out of, and increasingly drive and fly in plastics). There are deep vested interests and strongly held beliefs among major governments, industries (especially the petrochemical industry), major brands (from apparel to food), scientists, and those who represent both impacted communities and ecosystems along the lifecycle of plastics (such as “plastic pickers” associations). Read more