Efforts to finalise a landmark treaty to curb plastic pollution have stalled, with negotiators requiring additional time to address unresolved issues, the talks’ chair, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, announced on Sunday.
Speaking in Busan, South Korea, Vayas praised the tangible and meaningful strides made during the negotiations but acknowledged that critical sticking points remain.
Nearly 200 nations gathered in Busan for discussions aimed at finalizing the treaty after two years of talks. However, a draft text released on Sunday still includes a wide range of unresolved options, reflecting persistent divisions on key measures such as reducing plastic production and phasing out harmful chemicals.
Despite the delay, negotiators expressed optimism about progress made and the potential for consensus. The timing of the next session has yet to be confirmed.
