Dear John,

I was honored to attend the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan, Republic of Korea (INC-5) as a Youth Ambassador for Plastic Pollution Coalition. Although member states didn’t land an agreement at this final planned session, we consider it a win that they did not cave in to pressure from industry and commit to a weak Treaty. More negotiations are to come next year, so our crucial work towards a strong and binding Treaty continues.

Over the past 3+ years of engagement towards this Plastics Treaty, Plastic Pollution Coalition has worked tirelessly to make sure that policymakers negotiating the Treaty heard from the key voices most impacted by plastic pollution throughout its toxic existence. We tell the truth about plastic to our vast network of supporters, partners, and members—despite industry’s efforts to distract and deceive. Industry lobbyists showed up in force at INC-5, and a few very courageous countries did what they could to block passage of a strong treaty. And more than 100 countries joined together to champion ambition—it was incredibly inspiring!

Plastic Pollution Coalition and allies will keep pushing for the strongest Treaty possible, one that caps plastic production and prioritizes health, centers frontline and fenceline communities, acknowledges the rights of Indigenous Peoples and rights holders, restricts problematic plastic products and chemicals of concern, and supports non-toxic reuse systems.

And even if the next U.S. Administration doesn’t sign onto or support it, a strong UN Plastics Treaty is still critical for the rest of the world—and will impact the U.S. now too.

Attending INC-5 was a wonderful and fulfilling experience, and I returned home feeling incredibly inspired and in awe at how far we’ve come in our efforts to stop plastic pollution. I’m grateful to Plastic Pollution Coalition for this opportunity, and to you for your support that made this journey possible.