International talks in South Korea on plastic pollution fail to reach agreement

Negotiators from nearly 200 nations in Busan, South Korea, have failed to reach an agreement on a treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Disagreements remain between countries seeking strict production limits and those focused on waste management. The chair of the talks, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, acknowledged progress but noted that critical issues are unresolved. Delegates have called for additional sessions to bridge the gaps in positions, particularly between ambitious and less supportive nations. Environmental groups have urged for decisive action rather than more meetings. Over 100 countries support production cuts, but the positions of major plastic producers like China and the U.S. remain unclear.