Countries postpone UN treaty negotiations to tackle plastic pollution

Countries negotiating a UN treaty to reduce plastic pollution have failed to reach an agreement and have decided to postpone discussions. More than 100 nations supported a cap on plastic production, while some oil-producing countries only wanted to address plastic waste. The fifth United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed to finalize a legally binding treaty. However, procedural delays, particularly from Saudi Arabia, hindered progress. A proposal from Panama for a global production reduction target gained support but was not adopted. Environmental groups expressed concern over the delay, emphasizing the ongoing crisis of plastic pollution.