UN conference in Busan fails to reach agreement on global plastic treaty

Countries at the U.N. conference in Busan failed to agree on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Over 100 nations wanted to cap plastic production, while a few oil-rich countries opposed this, leading to postponed negotiations. The meeting, intended to finalize a legally binding accord, revealed deep divisions on key issues like production caps and financing for developing nations. A revised document presented options but lacked consensus. Negotiators plan to resume talks later, but concerns remain about the effectiveness of future discussions. Plastic production is projected to triple by 2050, raising health and environmental concerns.