The Department of State led the U.S. delegation, which included representation from NOAA’s Office of International Affairs, Marine Debris Program, and General Council International Section, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Agency for International Development, Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, National Science Foundation, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense.

Over the course of the week, countries and stakeholders exchanged views on potential elements of the future agreement, including objectives, obligations, voluntary approaches, and implementation measures, as well as the role of awareness-raising and education, exchange of information, research, cooperation and coordination, and stakeholder engagement in the future agreement. The Committee requested that the Chair develop an initial draft text of the agreement for discussion at the next negotiating session, INC-3, which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in mid-November.