Global meeting on plastic pollution in South Korea ends without agreement

A global meeting in South Korea aimed at creating a treaty to combat plastic pollution ended without agreement on December 1. Member nations could not resolve key issues, particularly regarding plastic production and the regulation of harmful chemicals. Countries were divided on whether to impose stricter limits on new plastic production. While many nations advocated for binding reductions, oil-producing countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia opposed these measures. Disagreements also arose over financing and compliance standards for the treaty. The draft agreement released highlighted conflicting views on financial responsibilities and the need for a multilateral fund. Developing countries expressed concerns about funding, while the European Union pushed for uniform standards, which some nations deemed unrealistic.