UN talks struggle for breakthrough on plastics treaty as deadline looms

International Treaty Discussions: The chairman of the U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) presented a document outlining potential measures for an international treaty on plastic pollution, as delegates from around 175 countries gather in South Korea to negotiate binding rules ahead of a Dec. 1 deadline.

Concerns Over Document Shortcomings: Delegates and civil society groups criticized the document for lacking concrete commitments on reducing plastic production and for leaving key decisions up to voluntary actions by countries, highlighting the need for more stringent measures to address the growing plastic pollution crisis.