BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -Negotiators on a treaty to curb plastic pollution face tough debate on the last day of scheduled talks, as over 100 countries support curbing production while a handful of oil-producing countries want to focus only on plastic waste.
The fifth and final U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting to yield a legally binding global treaty is set to wrap up in Busan, South Korea, on Sunday, but a final plenary session has not been set.
A treaty could be the most significant deal relating to environmental protection as well as climate-warming emissions since the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Countries remained far apart on Sunday on the basic scope of the treaty. An option proposed by Panama, backed by over 100 countries, would create a path for a global plastic production reduction target, while another proposal does not include production caps.
"If you're not contributing constructively, and if you're not trying to join us in having an ambitious treaty... then please get out," Fiji's chief negotiator, Climate Minister Sivendra Michael, told a press conference.
A smaller number of petrochemical-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia have strongly opposed efforts to target plastic production and have tried to use procedural tactics to delay negotiations.
Saudi Arabia did not have an immediate comment.
China, the United States, India, South Korea and Saudi Arabia were the top five primary polymer producing nations in 2023, according to data provider Eunomia.
HOURS REMAINING
With just hours remaining for scheduled talks and consensus seemingly out of reach, some negotiators and observers fear the talks could collapse or be extended to another session.
Even if a legally binding treaty is not reached at Busan, "this is a multilateral process that can keep working towards that goal," Mexico's head of delegation, Camila Zepeda, told Reuters.
"We have... a coalition of the willing, over a hundred countries that want this, and we can start working together" on a way forward.
Plastic production is on track to triple by 2050, and microplastics have been found in air, fresh produce and even human breast milk.
The chair of the meeting, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, released a revised document on Sunday that could form the basis of a treaty.
But the text remained peppered with many options on the most divisive issues: capping plastic production, managing plastic products and chemicals of concern, and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty.
Chemicals of concern in plastics include more than 3,200 found according to a 2023 U.N. Environment Programme report, which said women and children were particularly susceptible to their toxicity.
"If it (the text) does not have the provisions of what we expect from an ambitious treaty, then we will.. go back to the same process pushing for an ambitious treaty," Sivendra said.
"Nobody is going to leave Busan with a weak treaty."
Latest data show dwindling river flows and worsening drought: these conditions are triggered by warmer-than-average weather and lower precipitation across much of the continent since the beginning of the year, according to the Drought in Europe – April 2025 report, published by the JRC.
The Sydney opera house, and other iconic national monuments round the world turned off their lights at 8:30pm local time to commemorate earth hour.
A WaterAid study finds major cities swinging between droughts and floods as climate change disrupts water cycles. Asia faces more floods, while Europe and the Middle East dry out. Cities like Hangzhou and Jakarta suffer extreme shifts, urging urgent infrastructure adaptation.
Despite the US exit from the Paris Agreement, UK climate envoy Rachel Kyte reaffirms Britain’s commitment to climate goals, stressing the importance of global action and green energy investments.
Twenty three people remain trapped under snow in an avalanche in India's mountain state of Uttarakhand after heavy snowfall.
On May 10, Azerbaijan marks the birthday of Heydar Aliyev, the leader who guided the country through its Soviet years and early independence, laying the foundation for the modern Azerbaijani state.
The United States is reportedly considering fast-tracking billions in Middle Eastern investments before President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
Iraq have appointed former Australia manager Graham Arnold as head coach ahead of crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after four days of escalating military strikes between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Around 160,000 people in Spain’s Catalonia region were ordered to stay indoors on Saturday after a fire at a chemical factory released a toxic chlorine cloud over several towns.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
Azerbaijan showcased its green transition plan at the Copenhagen Ministerial, targeting 30% renewable energy by 2030. The country also secured a $300 billion climate finance pledge and helped finalize a key carbon market agreement, highlighting its growing role in global climate action.
Ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil is pushing for the creation of new global governance mechanisms to help nations implement their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, citing an urgent need to accelerate action.
Latest data show dwindling river flows and worsening drought: these conditions are triggered by warmer-than-average weather and lower precipitation across much of the continent since the beginning of the year, according to the Drought in Europe – April 2025 report, published by the JRC.
In a boost for the green transition in the Middle East and North Africa, a joint guarantee agreement worth €300 million to facilitate the green transformation of urban areas and support the development of green hydrogen market in the Middle East and North Africa has been signed.
Transitioning to green agriculture requires a fundamental shift in budget priorities, sustainable practices, and consumer behavior, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized at the 4th Agribusiness Development Forum held in Baku
On May 10, Azerbaijan marks the birthday of Heydar Aliyev, the leader who guided the country through its Soviet years and early independence, laying the foundation for the modern Azerbaijani state.
The United States is reportedly considering fast-tracking billions in Middle Eastern investments before President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
Iraq have appointed former Australia manager Graham Arnold as head coach ahead of crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after four days of escalating military strikes between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Around 160,000 people in Spain’s Catalonia region were ordered to stay indoors on Saturday after a fire at a chemical factory released a toxic chlorine cloud over several towns.
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