BUSAN, South Korea – Hundreds of environmental activists gathered in Busan on Saturday to urge stronger global measures to combat plastic waste ahead of a key United Nations summit on plastic pollution.
The rally, which drew about 1,000 participants, including indigenous groups, young activists, and informal waste workers, took place near the venue for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5). The upcoming talks aim to establish a legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution.
Protesters carried banners with messages such as “Cut plastic production” and “Drastic plastic reduction now!” while marching around the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre. Many participants used creative displays, including hats made of discarded plastic items, to highlight the global plastic crisis.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, are calling for the treaty to focus on cutting plastic production rather than relying solely on waste management, a stance supported by major activists but opposed by large producers like Saudi Arabia and China in previous negotiations.
“We’re here to represent millions of voices demanding global leaders address plastic pollution by reducing production at its source,” said Graham Forbes, global plastic campaign lead at Greenpeace.
Participants from diverse backgrounds joined the movement, emphasizing individual and cultural shifts. Lee Min-sung, 26, expressed hope that reusables would become a trendy habit, reducing waste incrementally. Fourth-grader Kim Seo-yul, who traveled from Jeju Island, pledged to pick up trash and waste less to protect the Earth.
The INC-5 meeting, set to begin Monday, will be a critical step in shaping the global approach to managing plastic pollution, with debates expected to center on balancing production cuts and waste management strategies.