UNCTAD, with partners African Legal Network (ALN) and Delterra, hosted hosted an informal pre-event to the 3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastics (INC-3), to discuss trade and development aspects of plastic pollution mitigation measures, non-plastic substitutes, and plastic alternatives.

The event informally gathered a number of stakeholders, including national authorities, international organizations, and private sector representatives, to discuss how proposed control measures on plastic pollution on the INC instrument draft zero text can be best used to assist a more responsible and efficient plastic system, as well as simultaneously promote safe and sustainable non-plastic substitutes and alternatives. The event also discussed related financing and social impact aspects. Concrete innovative and project examples were presented based on the SMEP Programme portfolio, with exhibits demonstrating alternative materials for fishing, upcycling of plastics, alternative fibres and the use of data to improve waste collection.