Geneva: Negotiations aimed at reaching a treaty to combat plastic pollution concluded in Geneva without an agreement. Delegations met for an eleventh day at the United Nations Office in Geneva to finalise a historic treaty to address the global plastic pollution crisis. However, disagreements persisted over whether the treaty should curb the rapid growth in plastic production and impose global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used in plastics manufacturing.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the talks, intended to be the final round leading to the first legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in oceans, ended without a deal, similar to last year's meeting in South Korea. The failure to reach an agreement highlights the ongoing challenges in uniting global stakeholders on effective measures to address the escalating plastic waste issue.
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reported that about 500 million tonnes of plastic were produced globally in 2024, with nearly 400 million tonnes becoming waste. UNEP warned that the volume of plastic waste could triple by 2060 if no agreement is reached. The lack of consensus in Geneva underscores the urgency of developing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic pollution.