Nations gather in South Korea to finalize treaty on global plastic pollution

Negotiators are meeting in Busan, South Korea, to finalize a treaty aimed at tackling global plastic pollution. This is the fifth round of discussions, with representatives from 66 countries, the EU, and various stakeholders participating. Previous meetings highlighted significant differences in goals, particularly between nations wanting to limit plastic production and those opposing such measures. The U.S. has shifted its stance, now open to global targets for reducing plastic production, after initially favoring national plans. Island nations like Micronesia are advocating for addressing plastic at its source, while some plastic-producing countries resist limits on manufacturing. The treaty aims to create a legally binding framework to manage plastic pollution effectively.