Negotiators fail to reach plastic pollution treaty agreement in South Korea

Negotiators in Busan, South Korea, have not reached an agreement on a treaty to reduce plastic pollution. The chair of the talks announced that more time is needed to address significant disagreements among nearly 200 participating nations. Discussions have revealed a divide between countries seeking a strong, binding agreement and those focused on waste management. A draft text released showed ongoing disagreements, prompting calls for a follow-up session to continue negotiations. Some countries, particularly oil producers, have been accused of obstructing progress. Over 100 nations support production cuts, but the positions of major plastic producers like China and the United States remain unclear.