Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks Extended After Nations Fail to Reach Consensus

Negotiations in Busan stalled over disagreements on plastic production limits, chemical controls, and financial support for developing nations.

The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution ended without a treaty, with talks set to resume next year.
Key disagreements centered on whether the treaty should include binding limits on plastic production and toxic chemicals, as well as financial mechanisms for developing nations.
A coalition of over 100 countries advocated for ambitious measures to address the full lifecycle of plastics, while oil-producing nations opposed production cuts.
India proposed a dedicated multilateral fund to support developing nations in addressing plastic pollution but emphasized balancing environmental goals with economic development.
Environmental groups criticized the process for lacking transparency and urged negotiators to adopt a more decisive approach to overcome the deadlock.