UN talks on global plastic treaty end without agreement in South Korea

Countries at the U.N. failed to agree on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution during their recent meeting in Busan, South Korea. Over 100 nations sought to cap plastic production, while a few oil-producing countries focused only on managing plastic waste. Key decisions were postponed, and further talks will be held later. The main disagreements included production caps, management of plastic products, and financing for developing countries. A proposal from Panama aimed to establish a global reduction target, but divisions remained evident in the discussions. Some petrochemical nations opposed production cuts, complicating negotiations. This setback follows the COP29 summit, where countries set a climate finance target deemed insufficient by many. The ongoing challenges highlight the complexities of addressing plastic pollution globally. Negotiators expressed urgency to resume talks, emphasizing the need for effective solutions.