Negotiations on Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Stall, Talks to Continue in 2025

Negotiators at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea, ended their discussions without reaching an agreement on a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution. Talks are set to resume next year as key disagreements over plastic production limits and toxic chemical regulations persist.

“We want a treaty that will be able to solve it. Otherwise, we will go without it and come back to fight another time,” said Sam Adu-Kumi, Ghana’s lead negotiator, reflecting frustrations over the lack of progress.

More than 100 countries support limiting plastic production, but oil- and plastic-producing nations have resisted, calling such measures overreaching. “The objective is to end plastic pollution, not plastic itself,” a Kuwaiti negotiator argued.

Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso acknowledged the challenges, stating, “While we made progress in Busan, our work is far from complete. We must be pragmatic.” Despite the setbacks, he expressed optimism for the future of the treaty.

Environmental groups criticized the lack of transparency during the negotiations. Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, said, “Busan proved that the process is broken and just hobbling along.”

With over 400 million tons of plastic produced annually and projections of a 70% increase by 2040, the need for a comprehensive treaty is pressing. Juliet Kabera of Rwanda emphasized ambition, declaring, “The treaty must be fit for purpose and not built to fail, for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The road ahead remains uncertain, but delegates from Panama promised to return “stronger, louder, and more determined” in the next round of negotiations.