Saudi Arabia’s Plastic Policy; “Let the Demands Remain” [Part II]

Saudi Arabia and its partners are really framing the argument over funding and certain implementation strategies using that conversation. The lofty commitments to combat contamination by plastic are pushed to the margins by the policy. Commentators think that Riyadh believes that this will divert the whole conversation.

Riyadh championed the interests of developing nations notwithstanding its affluence. To have a more active role, the latter group has been especially looking to wealthy nations. Riyadh intends to take the initiative in giving them the money required to carry out the agreement.

In fact, one of the main areas of debate in Busan was money. At the same time, cutting back on plastic manufacture turned out to be increasingly a unifying factor across western nations. The issue of funding has been a weaker motivator for their division.

The reality that Riyadh and its allies were unwilling to consider taking on any budgetary liability for themselves was also made abundantly evident to those nations. At the same time, their input in the manufacture of plastic is far more than that of most other countries. Yet, with rich and poor nations still at odds, funding will continue to be a major topic of contention in 2025.

Powerful collaborations must be formed before and during the negotiations to avoid the drawbacks faced during previous rounds of talks. Throughout the actual five days of talks, no significant progress will be possible. The governments provide delegates an agenda to defend when they attend U.N. negotiations. High-level approval is required for modifications to that directive, which leads to rushed calls.  Even if alliances have been effectively formed during negotiations, that still happens.

A diplomat informed the reporters, “We are now at a point where the challenges of manufacturing, substances, and funding are so clear and crisp that they can be brought to a governmental level.” The efficiency of ecological multilateralism based on agreement is also called into doubt by the discussions. In essence, it gives nations an extensive say in decisions. Governments could stop being cautious about switching to the vote of the majority. Otherwise, Saudi Arabia might effectively apply the same strategies it employed last year in the upcoming round.

According to several academics, nations should be given more voting privileges. Now, the concept of consensus is being exploited by like-minded nations, according to a Center for International Environmental Law researcher.

It is true that certain western delegations are getting ready to sign a treaty without the consent of the majority of hesitant countries. If the Saudi-led group keeps fighting, that is going to be one scenario. That would need enlisting the help of powerful nations like China, India, and Brazil. They have not yet added their signatures to a letter endorsed by more than 85 nations that targets the manufacture of plastic. However, the group have not been as strongly opposed to the proposal as countries like Saudi Arabia.

Russia, the Arab countries, and the western countries are likely to dedicate the next several months trying to win over more friends. Trump prepares to assume office on January 20th. There is a good chance that the nations that produce plastics and hydrocarbons are going to find a novel, equally destabilizing partner.