Ali-Mohammad Mousavi made the comments on Saturday, during the "Plastic Pollution Crisis: Challenges and New Opportunities" conference. He praised the event's organizers and noted that after decades of international negotiations, significant convergence has been achieved between national and global mechanisms. He added that human needs, including energy, livelihood, and the environment, must now be examined in a comprehensive framework with a unified approach.

"Global solutions should be tailored to the specific conditions of each country or region while being applicable on a global scale," Mousavi continued. "Otherwise, global goals and initiatives, including the treaty to end plastic pollution, will not be successful."

Deep divisions on treaty definition and scope

Mousavi highlighted the more than two years of negotiations to draft a binding document on ending plastic pollution. He noted that a one-sided approach in drafting the treaty text, along with a lack of attention to the impacts of proposed provisions on target countries, has prolonged and prevented the negotiations from reaching a conclusion.

He explained that deep disagreements remain over issues such as defining the full lifecycle of plastics, identifying problematic plastics, restricting the production of primary polymers, the treaty’s application to raw chemical materials, environmental cost compensation, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. These challenges reflect the broad economic and social dimensions of the issue, which threaten the national interests of countries with oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.

"The issue today is not plastic itself, but the pollution caused by poor management of plastic waste," Mousavi said. "Rather than limiting production, the focus should be on controlling and reducing the environmental impact of plastic consumption."

Global divide in approach to plastic pollution

Mousavi pointed out the growing divide in global negotiations over plastic pollution. Some countries advocate for reducing plastic production, while others, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasize plastic management and recycling. These nations believe that the essential role of plastics in industries and human life cannot be overlooked.

He also stressed that implementing the plastic pollution treaty will require substantial financial resources. According to a United Nations Environment Programme statement, around $1.64 trillion will be needed by 2040 to fund global plastic pollution policies. However, it remains unclear how these costs will be covered and which countries will contribute.

"For countries with petrochemical industries, restrictions on primary polymer production and uncertainty about compensating the economic and social damages of the treaty pose serious challenges—especially as many global economies face severe economic issues and sanctions," Mousavi added.

Balancing environmental, economic realities

Mousavi emphasized the importance of reaching a fair and balanced binding treaty. "However, the economies of developing countries and the livelihoods of millions should not be sacrificed," he said. "Effective implementation of this treaty requires real financial and technological support for these countries."

He also noted that unfortunately, the negotiations have shifted from addressing plastic pollution to restricting plastic production and related industries. "While the UN Environment Assembly resolution stresses sustainable production and consumption of plastics, it does not call for limiting hydrocarbons and primary polymers."

Revisiting environmental protection goals

Mousavi concluded by stressing that the final agreement, with its language and commitments, will inevitably redefine the outlook for environmental protection and have lasting effects on the future of the oil and gas industry. "These decisions could present both a challenge in reducing demand and an opportunity for adaptation and innovation," he said.

He also urged that, moving forward, measures be taken to adapt Iran’s petrochemical industry, consumption patterns, and plastic waste management. "This conference could mark the beginning of such efforts on a national level, leading to effective actions to reduce plastic pollution while promoting sustainable and responsible plastic production."