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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UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Israeli settler groups could be added to a global blacklist for violations against children if attacks on Palestinian minors continue at current levels.
UN Women chief Sima Bahous warned the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that peace processes are more fragile and less effective when women are excluded from decision-making, as global conflict levels reach their highest point since the UN was founded.
Germany's failure to secure a United Nations Security Council seat has exposed growing questions about its diplomatic influence and moral authority, highlighting the challenges facing Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he seeks to redefine Berlin's role in an increasingly fragmented world.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed an $800 million contribution from the U.S., saying the funding will strengthen humanitarian operations as global hunger continues to rise.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
U.S. President Donald Trump sought a deal with Iran "out of deperation," Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said, in a statment on social media. Khamenei added that he himself "held a different view," to Trump, but allowed the agreement after receiving assurances from Iran's President.
American technology company Snap has launched its first augmented-reality (AR) glasses for consumers, marking a major push into wearable computing as tech firms race to redefine personal devices in the AI era.
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while praising Islamabad's role in diplomacy that helped secure the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
Lionel Messi matched the all-time World Cup scoring record as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Austria, France and Norway also secured opening victories in Group J and Group I matches on Tuesday.
Scientists have identified almost 166,000 square kilometres of coral reefs worldwide that appear capable of surviving and recovering from the impacts of climate change, offering new hope for some of the planet's most vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
France’s parliament has formally recognised state responsibility for the use of the toxic pesticide chlordecone in Martinique and Guadeloupe, marking a significant step in addressing decades of environmental contamination and public health concerns.
Financial markets are significantly underestimating the economic impact of biodiversity loss, potentially leaving countries exposed to sovereign debt crises and rising borrowing costs, according to new research published on Friday.
Wildlife researchers have identified dozens of previously unknown insect species during an expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima Plateau, a conservation group announced on Wednesday.
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