UN Plastic Treaty Talks Collapse Over Production Cap Disputes

Negotiations in Busan stalled as oil-producing nations resisted limits on plastic production, delaying a global agreement to tackle pollution.

The fifth round of UN negotiations in Busan, South Korea, ended without consensus, postponing decisions on a global plastic treaty to 2025.
A coalition of over 100 countries pushed for binding limits on plastic production, but oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia blocked progress.
Key disagreements included capping production, phasing out harmful chemicals, and financing mechanisms to help developing nations address plastic pollution.
Critics argue the consensus-based decision-making process allowed a minority of nations to obstruct meaningful action, prompting calls for voting reforms in future talks.
Environmental advocates warn that delays exacerbate the plastic crisis, with millions of tons of waste entering oceans annually and production projected to triple by 2050.