Nations fail to reach agreement on plastic pollution treaty in South Korea meeting

A global meeting in Busan, South Korea, ended without an agreement on a treaty to combat plastic pollution. This was the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which has been working on the treaty since 2022. Countries could not resolve key issues, including limits on plastic production and financing. The discussions revealed significant divisions between nations focused on production caps and those prioritizing waste management. Negotiators from nearly 200 nations will reconvene next year to continue talks. The committee chair emphasized the need to build on the progress made so far.