United Nations officials running the plastics treaty talks say they're considering holding the next session of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, in July.
In a report posted online Jan. 31 by the United Nations Environment Programme, officials stressed that final decisions have not been made but noted that Geneva, where the U.N. has one of its largest office complexes, could host the next round of the treaty's intergovernmental negotiating committee.
"While discussions are still ongoing, the possibility of holding INC-5.2 in Geneva in mid-July is being explored," the report said.
The report, summarizing a Jan. 21 meeting of U.N. and national government officials organizing the talks, did not mention any other possible locations by name but suggested some were being considered.
The report said that some countries in the meeting asked about holding the next treaty talks at a U.N. convention center in Bangkok or at other U.N. locations.
"It was clarified that the venue in Bangkok did not have the required capacity, and that all other venues are being explored," the report said.
The report said the INC-5.2 session would likely last 10 to 14 days, while previous sessions have lasted 5 to 7 days. UN officials said they would consult with the group again when they had more definitive options on a venue.
"Given tight timelines, the Secretariat is exploring venues, taking into account the availability and suitability of premises and of existing legal arrangements," the report said.
The next session is a continuation of the fifth and what was supposed to have been final negotiating session, in Busan, South Korea in November and December. When that session ended without agreement, countries agreed to convene another meeting to try again.