UN negotiators seek agreement on plastic treaty as deadline approaches

Negotiators at the U.N. talks in Busan, South Korea, are working to finalize an international treaty to reduce plastic pollution before a December 1 deadline. The discussions have faced delays due to disagreements among delegates from around 175 countries. To address the slow progress, INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso is holding informal meetings to resolve key issues, including limits on plastic production and financial support for developing countries. Petrochemical-producing nations oppose production caps, while affected countries advocate for stronger measures. An open plenary session is scheduled for Friday evening, which will reveal how close the negotiators are to reaching an agreement on the treaty.