The German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke announced her trip to the Canadian capital Ottawa next Saturday to participate in United Nations talks aimed at reaching an international treaty to combat plastic pollution, the ministry announced in Berlin today, Tuesday.

Lemke is scheduled to hold talks next Sunday with her Canadian counterpart Steven Guilbeault ahead of the fourth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the issue.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to open the conference next Monday.

The UN talks aim to make a new attempt to agree on a legally binding international treaty to reduce plastic waste, including in the marine environment, by the end of this year.

Plans are underway to issue binding rules regarding the entire lifecycle of plastic products, including the manufacturing process, and the rules will include steps towards a circular economy for plastics.

170 participating countries failed to reach an agreement during the third session held in Kenya last fall.