Chile’s Ambassador Julio Cordano Elected Chair to Lead Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), tasked with developing an international legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, has elected Ambassador Julio Cordano of Chile as its new Chair. The announcement was made during the third part of the fifth session (INC-5.3) held at the Geneva International Convention Centre.

Ambassador Cordano emphasized the global scale of plastic pollution, calling it a “planetary problem that affects every country, community and individual” and expressed his commitment to guiding the Committee to successfully finalize the treaty. Alongside him, Mr. Linroy Christian of Antigua and Barbuda was elected Vice-Chair. The session focused on organizational matters and did not include substantive negotiations.

The Committee also recognized the contributions of outgoing Vice-Chair, Ambassador Johanna Lissinger-Peitz of Sweden, for her work in supporting proceedings in the months leading up to INC-5.3. INC Secretariat Executive Secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp congratulated Ambassador Cordano and pledged support for the Committee under his leadership.

The INC process was initiated in March 2022 during the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), where Member States adopted a resolution to establish a legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution in marine and terrestrial environments. INC-5.3 in Geneva follows a series of previous sessions held in Uruguay, France, Kenya, Canada, and South Korea between 2022 and 2025, reflecting a sustained global effort to combat the growing crisis of plastic pollution.

This election marks a key step in advancing international cooperation toward reducing plastic waste, promoting environmental sustainability, and protecting marine ecosystems worldwide.