   
  
INF/TE/IDP/R/15  
 
10 April 2024  
(24-3030) Page: 1/5 
  Original: English  
 
 
DIALOGUE ON PLASTIC POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTALLY  
SUSTAINABLE PLASTIC S TRADE  
PRE-PLENARY MEETING HELD ON 23  NOVEMBER  2023 
Aide Memoire1 
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1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY COORDINATORS  
1.1.  The Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (Dialogue) 
comprising – at the time – of 76 co-sponsors2 held their fourth pre -plenary meeting  for 2023  on 
23 November . It was chaired by the coordinators from Australia ( Mr Dhinesh Thanenthirarajah) and 
China ( Mr Xiaohui Zhang).  
1.2.  Coordinators3 recalled that the objective of the meeting was to present and discuss the Second 
Draft  (INF/TE/IDP/W/10/Rev.1 ) of the group's possible 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) 
Statement as well as the fully d eveloped "compilations" of actions, policies, goods and services that 
would be attached to the Statement.  
1.3.  Ecuador emphasized that  coordinators had been meeting constantly to review all comments 
received from delegations and stakeholders on the First Draft of the potential MC13 outcomes and 
that they hoped  the new version  capture d the views, efforts and contributions of Members. China 
noted the hard work that ha d been put into the Dialogue and the close cooperation with other 
organizations. He also noted tha t the meeting presented a crucial opportunity to discuss any topics 
related to the MC13 Statement and factual compilations  presented , contributing to the advancement 
and stabilization of the text . Australia presented the agenda, which included a WTO Secret ariat 
presentation of the two survey s' factual reports, followed by coordinators ' presentation of the new 
draft of the MC13 outcomes and a briefing by the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating 
Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC)  on the outcomes  of the third meeting of the INC (INC -3). 
2  DIALOGUE SURVEY S FACTUAL REPORTS AND MC13 OUTCOMES BRIEFINGS  
2.1.  The WTO Secretariat presented ( INF/TE/IDP/RD/138 ) selected insights from the factual report 
of the Aid for Trade  (AfT) Global Review and Needs As sessment survey  (INF/TE/IDP/W/12 ) and from 
the factual report of the Trade -Related Plastics Measures (TrPMs) survey  (INF/TE/IDP/W/11 ). Both 
survey s had been launched in June 2022 to collect information from co -sponsors and the results had 
 
1 This aide memoire is being shared to provide delegations with a brief overview of the discussions and 
assist them in reporting back to their capitals as well as to the Dialogue plenary meeting. It provides a non -
exhaustive, illustrative review of the issues addressed by Members and Stakeholders at the meeting.  
2 Albania; Angola; Australia; Austria; Barbados; Belgium; Bol ivia, Pluri -national State of; Bulgaria; Cabo 
Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Canada; Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; 
Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Ecuador; Estonia; European Union; Fiji; Finland; France; Gambia; 
Germany; Greece; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Kazakhstan; 
Korea, Republic of; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macao, China; Maldives; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; 
Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Panam a; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian 
Federation; Samoa; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Singapore; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Suriname; Sweden; 
Switzerland; Thailand; Tonga; United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay; and Vanuatu . 
3 The Dialogue coordinators are: Australia, Barbados, China, Ecuador, Fiji and Morocco.  INF/TE/IDP/R/15  
 
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  been used as basis for the compilations that could be attached to the MC13 Statement. The reports 
had been prepared by the Secretariat upon request by the coordinators and offered a wealth of 
information on both topics.  
2.2.  According to the WTO Secretariat , respondents to the AfT Global Review and Needs Assessment 
survey  had made several suggestions to improve the AfT questionnaire and better identify plastic -
related issues in the global review, including sharing of cases studies, existing d omestic 
programmes, assistance priorities and a standardized prior categori zation of plastic -related 
information. Suggestions also covered how to improve Members ' engagement in the AfT review 
process regarding plastic pollution issues, including closer col laboration with the DPP, a public 
platform containing good practices and training and capacity building workshops for delegates. A 
series of stakeholders were indicated as being useful to be engaged in plastic -related AfT review and 
implementation activiti es and specific topics.  
2.3.  The report  had also indicated the main priority areas identified by AfT recipient partners who 
responded to the survey . Improving the environmentally sound management, recovery and recycling 
of plastics, moving towards more circular  economies and design and implementation of trade policies 
to address plastic pollution ranked as the top three priorities. With regards to specific needs most 
often raised by recipient partners responding to the survey , those were: d omestic private sector  
engagement , followed by domestic civil society engagement and access to technology. Finally, the 
survey  had identified a series of existing plastic -related AfT programmes, both from Members and 
from international and regional institutions . 
2.4.  Next, the WTO Secretariat provided an overview of the responses and insights gained from the 
TrPMs survey  exercise. The presentation highlighted , inter alia , the recent steep growth in TrPMs, 
totalling  223 measures in the dataset  from 85 different WTO Members , most ly from developing and 
least-developed Members.  These measures were applied mostly mid - and downstream in the value 
chain life cycle and t he most common objective s pursued were waste management and leakage 
avoidance, followed by addressing single -use plast ic goods, recycling and eco -designing . The most 
common types of measures identified had been technical regulations or specifications, followed by 
bans. The survey  also captured the types of products most often targeted. These were packaging, 
followed by wa stes, bags, tableware and food containers. The Secretariat noted that even when 
TrPMs included the same type of measure on the same product (e.g. restrictions on single -use plastic 
bags), the report indicated there were important differences on how Members  were specifying 
requirements and restrictions. The survey  also provided a breakdown of the activities (e.g. 
sale/distribution, production, consumption, import, export) most often targeted by the TrPMs, noting 
some potential gaps in coverage.  
2.5.  Additionally,  the presentation noted that promotion had been a key topic of discussions in the 
Dialogue with the objectives of promotion of alternatives and substitutes and of waste management 
and other technologies identified in 76 and 28 TrPMs, respectively.  In total , 39 TrPMs included a 
mechanism to assess the policies efficacy and targeted results and the Secretariat provided an 
overview and examples of those.  Finally, the survey  had captured specific challenges and needs 
identified by respondents for the implementa tion of TrPMs, with domestic private sector 
engagement, followed by access to technology and technical assistance on policy implementation 
rating at the top . 
2.6.  China encouraged Members to continue to share information regarding their TrPMs as well as 
the nee ds they were facing. One delegation requested the Secretariat's presentation to be shared, 
while another delegation noted their appreciation of the work accomplished and the efforts put in 
preparing the analysis.  
2.7.  China then presented the Second Draft of th e "Possible MC13 Statement" that had been 
recently circulated. He emphasized that coordinators had carefully examined all comments received  
from Members  and tried to reflect them in the Second  Draft, in a balanced way, aligning with the 
Dialogue's 12th Ministerial Conference ( MC12 ) Statement and the work of the Dialogue  since then . 
Additionally, he pointed out that the Dialogue had considered two important points previously raised 
by Member s regarding the First Draft. The first revolved around the connection between the MC13 
Statement and the annexes , now renamed "Open, Illustrative, Non -Exhaustive and Evolving 
Compilations". The second main  point raised by Member s had been regarding  the relationship 
between the Dialogue and the ongoing INC process.  INF/TE/IDP/R/15  
 
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  2.8.  Next, the coordinators presented the  full version of the potential factual compilations  
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/146 ). Morocco  underlined the nature of the compilations and that they capture d 
objective discussions held in the Dialogue, based on experiences, studies, technical and scientific 
information shared by delegations and stakeholders. He also noted that these discussi ons ha d been 
reflected in the Dialogue's aide -memoires and informal summaries of meetings, the factual 
summaries prepared for the two technical workshops and the factual reports of the two dedicated 
survey s. 
2.9.  Australia added that the items identified in the  factual compilation s were not meant to indicate 
the "best" or "necessary" policies that should be taken.  He highlighted that  the compilations were 
non-exhaustive . He also noted that the  inclusion  of specific measures was not meant to indicate that 
all co -sponsors were using every single measure, as they were illustrative and open. He also 
emphasized the need to periodically update the compilations based on global, regional and domestic 
efforts, including those of other international processes, and technica l and scientific developments. 
Lastly, he reminded that the compilations were not binding in any way to co -sponsors nor  were 
intended to prejudge the work in other international processes , including the ongoing INC process.  
2.10.   Nine delegations took the floor to comment on the Second Draft and the compilations. Many 
delegations expressed appreciation  regarding the adjustments made to the Second Draft reflecting 
the views of Members and recent d evelopments in the plastic pollution discourse. One delegation 
emphasized that trade -related cooperation was key to support global efforts to end plastic pollution. 
Another delegation welcomed the revisions in the proposed actions and cooperation mechanism s, 
indicating a shift towards prioritizing feasible and effective measures.  
2.11.   Some delegations expressed reservations about specific items in compilation V concerning 
alternative plastics and non -plastic substitutes and other relevant goods, services and tec hnologies. 
Relatedly, some delegations pointed out that the current language in the Statement could be 
misconstrued to imply endorsement of the compilations. One delegation noted that the compilations 
added value and were very detailed and another delegati on welcomed the reflection of concrete 
examples and practices, emphasizing that information sharing would hopefully help  in addressing 
the issue of global plastic pollution . 
2.12.   Several delegations recalled the importance of signaling a high level of ambition in the 
Statement and in the Dialogue's work. Many delegations reiterated the need to maintain an 
alignment between the Dialogue and INC processes, emphasizing that the discussions at WTO should 
not prejudge the outcome of ongoing negotiations.  Some delegat ions questioned, in the preamble 
of the Second Draft, the use of the term "ambitious" when calling for the INC process result in an 
international legally binding instrument on plastic  pollution. One delegation described the term as 
unclear, while another d elegation underscored that it could potentially affect Member's views in that 
process.  
2.13.   One delegation  expressed apprehension that the outcomes of the INC could  be adopted by 
majority vote and  impinge upon WTO rights and obligations . Another delegation highlighted the need 
to better understand the impact of the INC's zero draft on trade , noting that trade -related  policies 
on plastics had been  discussed in depth at INC . The delegation encouraged seeking a balance 
between both processes  and asked about the ext ent of the WTO Secretariat participation at the INC 
process . In response, the WTO Secretariat clarified that, as it did with other Multilateral 
Environmental Agreements  negotiation processes, it observed the INC and, when invited, presented 
relevant develo pments on plastics discussions at the WTO, in particular the work of the Dialogue. 
The Secretariat noted it would share the presentation made at INC -3 with delegations 
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/139 ). 
2.14.   Some delegations observed that consensus on the definition of "harmful and unnecessary 
plastic s and plastic products" had not yet been reach ed. One delegation noted  that these terms were 
under discussion in the INC process . Under the "actions" included in the Statement, one delegation, 
while welcoming the reference to the promotion of cooperation o n trade in environmentally sound, 
safe and effective non -plastic substitutes,  suggested  defining these substitutes  based on scientific 
evidence and economic effectiveness . Furthermore, another  delegation proposed incorporating the 
term "appropriate " to spe cify the need to implement "appropriate trade -related policies and 
measures ", as mentioned in the paragraph addressing trade -related capacity building and technical 
assistance needs for developing Members, emphasizing that not all trade -related policies ar e suitable 
for every context.  INF/TE/IDP/R/15  
 
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  2.15.   Stakeholders also took the floor to offer comments on the Second Draft and the compilations. 
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) noted that the WTO's role in addressing 
plastic pollution was crucial and comme nded its contribution to the INC process. CIEL underlined 
that the wording used in the Statement , regarding the relationship with the attached compilations,  
might suggest that they were collectively agreed  to. Additionally, CIEL proposed  mentioning that th e 
compilations were subject to review , following the adoption of the international legally binding 
instrument, ensuring there was no disconnection between the Dialogue  and the INC processes. 
Furthermore, they urged the inclusion of an action related to pla stic waste in the MC13 Statement  
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/141 ) 
2.16.   The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS)  welcome d the evolution of the 
Dialogue 's work, emphasizing international cooperation, and described  the Dialogue  as a valuable 
space for deliberation . They commend ed the compilation s, encouraging their reference in the 
Ministerial Statement. TESS highlight ed the importance of addressing trade -related cooperation for 
developing Members, including capacity building. They welcome d the proposed mechanism to match 
existing funding opportunities with specific needs identified by developing Members. TESS support ed 
the development of a post-MC13 Dialogue  workplan and emphasize d the need for early synergy with 
the plastics treaty negotiations. Further more, TESS encourage d Dialogue  Members to present at  
MC13  the specific trade -related actions to tackle plastic polluti on they would be willing to adopt , 
aligning with the urgency emphasized by the United Nations Environment Assembly  (UNEA ) 
resolution on the plastics treaty. Additionally , they refer red to their recent publications : a policy 
paper co -published with the  International Organization for Standardization  (ISO) on international 
cooperation and standards to end plastic pollution ; and a policy brief on trade -related cooperation 
on problematic and avoidable plastics. Lastly , TESS noted a forthcoming policy brief with  Quaker 
United Nations Office  (QUNO ) on the role of trade policy in promoting environmentally sound plastic 
waste management technologies and services, emphasizing downstream aspects of waste 
management  (INF/TE/IDP/RD/147 ). 
2.17.   UNCTAD underlined the growing convergence on the need for non -plastic substitutes and 
plastic al ternatives based on scientific evidence and local contexts. They referred to their studies 
prepared to support the INC and Dialogue  processes, including a study on trade in services for 
prevention and mitigation, a study on marine -based substitutes, a stud y on the health impact of 
plastics pollution from a practical project standpoint.  
2.18.   Trisia Farrelly, on behalf of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, noted that 
the Scientists' Coalition was  dedicated to facilitating access to evolvin g plastic pollution science for 
WTO Members and countries involved in the INC. Expressing gratitude to the Dialogue  coordinators 
for sharing  the Ministerial Declaration  with stakeholders , they emphasize d the critical importance of 
the Dialogue 's inclusivit y and transparency. The y underlined that their  position emphasize d the 
'essentiality ' approach in assessment criteria, hazard -based assessments over risk -based 
assessments, and the application of the precautionary principle in assessing chemicals, material s, 
products, technologies, and systems and services, aligning with their commitment to a fair transition. 
They mentioned the Plastic Health Council presentation at INC -3, that highlighted health risks from 
plastic s and alternatives, including infertility, cancer, and cognitive disorders. Further, t he Scientists'  
Coalition encouraged  the compilations to be based on commonly agreed, scientifically robust criteria 
and regular reviews post -adoption. They proposed  the Ministerial Statement recogni ze that the 
compilations should be subject to review following the adoption of the international legally binding 
instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Finally, The Scientists' Coalition 
applaud ed the Statement 's acknowledg ement  of regular reviews for the compilations, reminding the 
crucial  need for  alignment between Dialogue  and INC processes during these assessments  
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/142 ). 
2.19.   QUNO  acknowledged the substantial work undertaken in drafting the Statement.  They 
highlighted the importance of waiting for INC deliberations before collectively encouraging certain 
non-plastic  substitutes and  alternatives within the Dialogue  framework. Additionally, they  suggested 
clarifying  in the Statement  that the compilation s' lists represent ed individual Members' approaches 
and were subject to review after the adoption of the international plastic pollution instrument.  
Further more, QUNO underscored the submissions made to INC -3 and New Zealand's non -paper, 
which had highlighted the  need for transparency in production, imports, exports of chemicals and 
polymers used in plastic production, as well as related subsidies and other fiscal incentives. They 
suggested that the Dialogue should facilitate initial reporting on subsidies, aligni ng with existing 
WTO practices and supporting INC process objectives ( INF/TE/IDP/RD/145 ). INF/TE/IDP/R/15  
 
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  2.20.   The Intern ational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  reiterated the importance of the 
intersections between the WTO and the INC processes. IUCN noted that the Statement should serve 
as a clear recognition of the triple planetary crisis , with  trade as a cross-cutting element in 
addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, especially plastic pollution. They 
emphasized the importance of recognizing the connections between trade, plastic pollution and 
biodiversity protection as essential. Furthermore,  they suggested mentioning  the need for the 
compilation addressing “environmental, social and health impacts” specify ing that it include d 
“environmental health, biodiversity health and human health” , as well as references to the 
Convention on Biological Diversity and  to the 2022 Kunming -Montreal Global Biodiversity 
Framework. IUCN advocated for integrating just transitions throughout the en tire life  cycle of 
plastics, including in trade practices, as part of shared principles, along with nature positive systems 
and solutions to address plastic pollution  (INF/TE/IDP/RD/143 ). 
2.21.   The Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development  (OECD) welcomed the 
Dialogue's  efforts to provide a forum of discussions, as well as the efforts to compile i nformation 
into a draft Statement for MC13. Further more, they referred to their report in the process of 
publication, with inputs from TESS,  titled “Trade Policies to Promote the Circular Economy: A Case 
Study of the Plastics Value Chain” . Their analysis s uggest ed that restrictions  on certain plastic 
products were necessary due to limitations in tariff adjustments, consumer awareness, and the 
disproportionate administrative costs of tariff collection compared to environmental benefits. The 
report  emphasized the importance of government incentives  and regulations tailored to local 
priorities and international cooperation to address plastic pollution effectively  (INF/TE/IDP/RD/144 ). 
2.22.   One delegation sought clarification on the precautionary principle, mentioned by the  
Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty . CIEL commented that the pre cautionary principle 
was mentioned in the Rio Declaration and emphasized that the Rio Declaration was referred in the 
UNEA resolution 5/14 to end plastic pollution. Additionally, they r eferred to  the document 
A/HRC/49/53 from the Human Rights Council to th e UN General Assembly, underlining the mention  
of the precautionary principle in addressing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable 
environment.  Some delegations reiterated the importance of maximizing synergies and ensuring 
that the decisions from the trade side were not detrimental to an ambitious INC result.  
3  INC-3 OUTCOMES  BRIEFING  
3.1.  Delegations were briefed by the INC Secretariat, on the outcomes of INC -3 
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/140 ). They noted that delegations had had two rounds of discussions on the draft -
zero prepared by the INC Chair with support of the INC Secretariat. After the discussions, the revised 
draft-zero included all options and proposals delegations felt had not been correctly reflected in the 
initial draft. Delegations had not agreed to intersessional work. The next session – INC-4, was 
scheduled for the end of April 2024.  
4  CONCLUDING  REMARKS BY COORDINATORS  
4.1.  The coordinators expressed their gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and 
contributions. Australia underlined the deadline of December  8 for written comments on the Second 
Draft. They invited Members to engage with the coordinators. Finally, China encouraged all Members, 
particularly developing Members, to join the Dialogue.  
 
 
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