Ecobiz.asia – Indonesia and Norway have convened delegates from 11 countries to discuss ways to advance negotiations on a legally binding international agreement to end plastic pollution, as countries continue to seek common ground on measures covering the full life cycle of plastics.
The three-day Jakarta Informal Consultation Meeting on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution, held on Oct. 13–15, brought together government representatives to exchange views and explore areas of convergence in the negotiations.
The meeting was jointly organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) and Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment.
Indonesia used the forum to advocate an approach that addresses plastic pollution from product design and production through consumption and waste management, including measures to prevent plastics from leaking into the environment.
Such an approach requires cooperation among governments, businesses, communities and waste-management operators to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy.
“KLH/BPLH supports the development of an effective and implementable international instrument, while taking into account national sovereignty, the balance between the right to a good and healthy environment and the right to development, and national plans as the primary basis for implementation,” said Agus Rusly, director of waste reduction and circular economy development at the ministry on Thursday (Oct. 15, 2026).
“Global efforts also need to consider differences in each country’s circumstances and capacities,” he added.
The negotiations carry particular significance for Indonesia, where plastic waste is becoming an increasingly large part of the national waste stream. Data cited by the ministry show that plastic’s share of total waste rose from 11% in 2010 to nearly 20% in 2024. Without substantial intervention, the proportion could reach 50% by 2050. Packaging, containers and shopping bags account for around 40% of Indonesia’s plastic waste.
These figures highlight the limits of relying solely on waste treatment after plastics have been discarded. Reducing waste at source, strengthening collection systems, expanding processing capacity and increasing recycling all need to advance together to prevent plastic leakage into terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
As part of the consultations, international delegates visited waste-management facilities and community initiatives in South Jakarta and South Tangerang on Oct. 15. The visits included community-based sorting at Bank Sampah Induk Gesit, operations at the Jakarta Recycling Center and the Pesanggrahan reduce, reuse and recycle facility, as well as the role of informal waste workers through Koperasi Pemulung Berdaya.
The field visits also highlighted the role of businesses and other stakeholders in addressing plastic pollution. Karyanto Wibowo, public affairs and sustainability director at Danone, said the international negotiations could provide momentum for a more ambitious global response.
“As part of the industry in Indonesia, we support global efforts to end plastic pollution. We believe the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) can be a very important opportunity to promote a more ambitious and effective global framework to reduce plastic pollution through a circular economy approach,” he said.
Established by the United Nations Environment Assembly through Resolution 5/14 in March 2022, the INC is tasked with developing a legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution across the full life cycle of plastics. The Jakarta meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to exchange perspectives and identify common ground among countries as negotiations continue. ***
