Gloabl Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks End Without Agreement, Negotiations to Resume Next Year
More Than 3,300 Delegates Meet in Busan, South Korea, Fail to Reach a Deal on Historic Deal
Negotiations on a treaty aimed at curbing the global plastic pollution crisis concluded in Busan, South Korea, without achieving a consensus on the vital document. After a week of intense talks, nations agreed to meet again next year to continue discussions.
The summit “This was supposed to be the fifth and final round to produce the first legally binding treaty on plastics pollution, including in the oceans, by the end of 2024,” to hammer out a deal. Over 3,300 delegates from nearly 170 countries, representing nearly 450 organizations, participated.
“We have tested the resilience of our planet to its limit. Now is the time for us to push our own limits and honor the trust placed in us,” Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, said during closing remarks.
One of the most contentious issues remained the question of whether to directly address plastic production. Markedly, Panama put forward a proposal that sparked debate on the topic.
“We may close this session today, but the world will still be watching tomorrow,” stated U.N. Environment Program Executive Director Inger Andersen. “And the plastic pollution will still be arriving on our shores, and so our work will continue.”
While supporting the ambition of the negotiations: “This one was a moment that these countries were able to stand and say, ‘No, we are not going to take it this way. We are going to fight,’” Independent Sector
“This one was a moment that these countries were able to stand and say, ‘No, we are not going to take it this way,” said Ana Rocha, who leads international plastic policy work at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. We are going to fight,”
Many sighting: While
” This is not caminhamos to easily,” remarked Fiji’s secretary for the environment and climate change Sivendra Michael. “They
“They canilling
While not achieving a final agreement, the meeting laid bare the deep concern surrounding plastic pollution and the urgent need to act. Diplomats, however, expressed that they believed the treaty will
”
ing uncertainty over the future
Can the current global framework effectively address the root causes of plastic pollution, such as overproduction and unsustainable consumption patterns?
## Failed Talks: Can the World Unify Against Plastic Pollution?
**Intro**
Welcome back to the program. Today we’re discussing the recent international negotiations aimed at creating a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
Unfortunately, those talks have concluded without an agreement. Joining us today to discuss what happened in Busan, South Korea and what this means for the future is Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert on environmental policy at the Institute for Global Sustainability. Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us.
**Interview**
**Host:** So Dr. Sharma, over 3,300 delegates met in Busan for what was supposed to be the final round of negotiations. What led to the breakdown in talks?
**Dr. Sharma:** It’s disappointing, isn’t it? While the specific sticking points haven’t been fully disclosed, reports suggest disagreements emerged around two key issues: the ambition of the treaty itself, and the distribution of responsibility for addressing the plastic crisis. Some nations pushed for stronger measures and binding targets for plastic production reduction, while others expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of such measures, particularly on developing countries.
**Host:** There’s been a lot of hope behind these negotiations. What does this lack of agreement mean for the fight against plastic pollution?
**Dr. Sharma:** This setback is undoubtedly a blow. Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in our oceans, harming wildlife and ecosystems. Delaying concerted global action allows this crisis to worsen. However, it’s important to remember these negotiations are complex. Achieving a legally binding treaty requires consensus from every participating nation, which is no easy feat. I remain hopeful that the continued dialog and commitment to reconvene next year can ultimately lead to a meaningful agreement. The world is watching and the pressure is on for nations to come together and protect our planet.
**Host:** Thank you for those insights, Dr. Sharma. It’s clear the journey to a unified global response to plastic pollution is far from over. We will certainly be following developments closely.
**Outro**
That’s all for today’s segment. For more on the global plastic pollution crisis and the ongoing treaty negotiations, be sure to visit our website. [[1](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/plastic-pollution-treaty-busan-no-agreement-1.7398223)]