Negotiations on global plastic pollution treaty end without agreement in South Korea

Negotiations for a treaty to combat plastic pollution ended in Busan, South Korea, without an agreement. This was intended to be the final round of talks to create a legally binding treaty by the end of 2024. Delegates from over 170 countries participated, but key issues, particularly limits on plastic production, remained unresolved. Panama's proposal for a global target gained support but did not include specific production caps. Negotiators plan to reconvene next year, although no firm date has been set. Concerns were raised about the lack of inclusion of Indigenous voices in the discussions.