UN talks on plastics treaty stall as oil producers block production limits

Negotiations for a UN treaty on plastic pollution have stalled after oil-producing countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Russia, blocked proposals to limit new plastic production. The talks, held in Busan, South Korea, will be postponed indefinitely. A total of 100 countries supported production limits, while 140 backed phasing out harmful chemicals. However, the opposition from a minority of oil-producing nations prevented any agreement. This breakdown follows similar impasses at recent UN climate and biodiversity summits. The treaty aimed to address the growing plastic waste crisis, with global demand for plastics expected to nearly double by mid-century. Environmental groups criticized the negotiations for concessions made to oil producers, which they believe hinder effective action against plastic pollution.