Negotiators fail to finalize plastic pollution treaty in South Korea, talks to continue next year

Negotiators in Busan, South Korea, failed to reach an agreement on a treaty to combat plastic pollution. Talks will resume next year after disagreements over reducing plastic production and controlling toxic chemicals. The negotiations were intended to finalize a legally binding treaty by the end of 2024. More than 100 countries support a treaty that limits plastic production and addresses cleanup efforts. However, some oil and gas-producing nations oppose these measures, insisting on a consensus-based decision-making process. The draft treaty remains unresolved, with key sections still under debate. Environmental groups and affected communities criticized the lack of transparency in the negotiations. They expressed concerns that the process is ineffective and called for a more ambitious treaty. South Korea's foreign affairs minister acknowledged the challenges but noted progress toward a unified solution.