The third OPEC coordination meeting on an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (ILBI) was held today via videoconference, with representatives from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the Charter of Cooperation (CoC) in attendance.
Dr. Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director of the Research Division at OPEC, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Secretary General HE Haitham Al Ghais, emphasizing the critical role plastics play across modern economies.
“Plastics are indispensable to modern societies and make an important contribution to affordability, sustainable development, food security, water sanitation, healthcare, infrastructure and poverty eradication,” Al-Qahtani said.
The remarks come as negotiators work toward a global treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution, with oil-producing nations closely monitoring discussions that could affect petrochemical demand.
Al-Qahtani stressed that “any future instrument should be realistic, balanced, fair and implementable, respecting national sovereignty. Measures proposed should remain voluntary and their selection should be nationally determined, with implementation supported through a facilitative and non-punitive implementation and compliance mechanism.”
The OPEC position underscores the tension between environmental ambitions and economic interests of fossil fuel-dependent nations, as the bloc seeks to ensure that any binding agreement preserves flexibility for member states in determining how, and whether to adopt specific measures.
The Charter of Cooperation, established in 2019, serves as a framework for dialogue between OPEC and allied producers on energy market stability and related policy matters.
