Delegates from 175 countries gathered last week in Busan, South Korea, in an effort to negotiate a legally binding treaty aimed at tackling global plastic pollution. However, they were unable to reconcile significant differences regarding restrictions on new production.

Source: CBS News

The summit concluded on Sunday with only an agreement to continue discussions. This gathering marked the fifth and intended final phase of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5).

As the negotiations came to a close, 95 countries united in their stance to reject any treaty that did not incorporate a legally binding phase-out and a eventual ban on certain harmful products and chemicals. Although the last draft treaty considered on Sunday included some bans, critics—including key delegations—felt the proposed measures were inadequate, leading to the lack of a final agreement.

The delegations have only agreed to schedule another session in 2025, tentatively referred to as "INC-5.2," in hopes of finalizing a deal.

The discussions were hindered by a stark divide in opinions between representatives from smaller, often developing nations and those from more advanced economies, along with significant global corporations and business lobbies, whose involvement was contentious.

According to the nonprofit Center for International Environmental Law, lobbyists from the fossil fuel and chemical industries formed the largest delegation at INC-5. The 220 corporate lobbyists registered at the summit outnumbered all delegates from European Union nations combined.