Talks at the United Nations in Geneva to establish a global legally binding treaty on plastic pollution went into overtime on Thursday, with discussions adjourned to Friday.
Delegates faced sharp disagreements over how far the treaty should go, particularly regarding limits on plastic production and measures to address the full life cycle of plastics—from polymer production to waste disposal and impacts on health.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, chair of the International Negotiating Committee (INC), which was set up by the UN Environment Agency (UNEA) in 2022, informed delegates that negotiations would continue after the scheduled meeting time ended.
States such as Panama, Kenya, Britain, and the European Union criticised the draft text, noting that key provisions had been removed, while oil-producing nations resisted restrictions on virgin plastics derived from petroleum, coal, and gas.
European Union Commissioner Jessika Roswall called a 'weak, static agreement' ineffective, stressing the need for a treaty that covers the full life cycle of plastics and evolves with science.
Panama labelled the draft text 'repulsive,' demanding a complete rewrite, while Saudi Arabia emphasised that agreement depends on clarifying the treaty’s scope.
Norwegian Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen urged compromise among all parties to create a balanced package, and some industry representatives, such as Ross Eisenberg of America’s Plastic Makers, expressed cautious optimism.
Meanwhile, Colombian lawmaker Juan Carlos Lozada cautioned that a weak deal could be worse than no deal at all.
Around 300 businesses, including Unilever, called for an ambitious treaty to harmonise global rules, warning that insufficient coordination could increase costs and fragmentation.
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A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings an...
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is "outpacing containment efforts" amid conflict, weak disease surveillance and limited...
Kazakhstan has reiterated that no existing route can replace the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which carries more than 80% of the country's crude...
Iran has strongly condemned U.S. threats to impose sanctions on and bomb Oman following reported talks between Muscat and Tehran on jointly overseeing...
The U.N. human rights office said Israeli forces may be committing unlawful killings near the military armistice line in Gaza, after data showed that roughly a third of verified Palestinian deaths since the October truce occurred close to the boundary area.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations has accused the United States of breaching its obligations as host of the UN after denying a visa to a senior Russian official to attend a Security Council meeting.
On 15 May 2026, an Ebola outbreak was officially declared in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s 17th since the virus was first identified there in 1976. The rare Bundibugyo strain has left health workers struggling without approved vaccines or treatments.
Japan and the United Nations Development Programme are launching a $3 million environmental project in Kazakhstan to support the Caspian Sea and improve water monitoring, amid growing concern over falling sea levels and risks to regional trade routes.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focused on energy, transport and economic cooperation with one of Moscow’s closest regional partners.
Muslims around the world have marked Eid al-Adha with prayers, celebrations and acts of charity, though for many Palestinians the holiday unfolded amid conflict, restrictions and loss.
As climate pressures and urbanisation accelerate worldwide, governments are increasingly investing in smart cities and villages to build more sustainable and resilient communities. Across the world, digital technologies are reshaping how cities and rural areas are planned and managed.
The UK is experiencing potentially record-breaking temperatures after forecasters confirmed some areas reached highs close to 34°C on Monday.
More than 100 people were killed in a violent storm that battered India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, with rain and hail, the state Disaster Management and Relief office said on Thursday.
Climate change has driven a record surge in wildfires across Africa, Asia and other regions this year, with scientists warning that conditions are likely to worsen further as the northern hemisphere enters summer and El Niño weather patterns intensify.
Destruction of the world's tropical forests eased in 2025 from a record high, a report showed on Wednesday, underscoring how decisive policy can help keep trees standing despite pressures from a warmer climate and expanding agricultural frontiers.
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