Plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva: Switzerland calls for effective agreement – outcome remains open
Bern, 04.08.2025 — Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and FOEN Director Katrin Schneeberger will represent Switzerland at the fifth round of negotiations on a global agreement against plastic pollution from 5 to 14 August 2025. Switzerland is committed to an effective and practicable agreement to protect the environment and health, while emphasising the challenges of agreeing on a set of global rules.
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time. Unless action is taken, global plastic production is likely to double by 2040. There are still no internationally binding rules on reducing plastic along the entire value chain, from production to disposal. That is why the United Nations Environment Assembly decided in 2022 to draw up a legally binding agreement on plastics.
The aim is to find an international solution that contains clear obligations, but getting all states to commit to a set of binding rules is a challenge.
Switzerland intends to apply to host the future secretariat of the treaty in Geneva. This would further strengthen Geneva's role as a major centre of multilateralism.
FOEN director Katrin Schneeberger will represent Switzerland at the opening event on 5 August and attend the media conference that follows. On 13 and 14 August, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will represent Switzerland at ministerial level and play an active role in the final political negotiations. «Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires global solutions,» he says. «Switzerland is contributing with concrete proposals.»
Background: Switzerland calls for an effective plastics treaty
The Swiss government is in favour of a treaty that prevents plastic pollution and health and which takes account of the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. Since plastic has a negative impact on the environment throughout its entire life cycle, measures are required at all stages, including reducing the production and use of new plastics to a sustainable level. The treaty should also provide for the gradual elimination of the plastics that cause the most damage such as single-use products, products that are difficult to recycle and those containing hazardous chemicals.
Switzerland is also committed to ensuring that the treaty can be implemented by all countries, including those with limited resources. Financial support for these countries will therefore be a key issue in the negotiations.