GENEVA. Negotiations to finalize the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution stretched into overtime on Thursday, as delegates failed to bridge deep divisions on the final day of scheduled talks at the United Nations.
The International Negotiating Committee, mandated by the UN Environment Assembly to craft the treaty, adjourned the session to Friday after hours of deadlock. Countries advocating for a comprehensive pact, including Panama, Kenya, Britain and the European Union, expressed frustration that key provisions addressing the full life cycle of plastics and health impacts had been removed from the latest draft.
Oil-producing nations resisted limits on virgin plastic production from petroleum, coal and gas, while others pushed for strict caps and tighter controls on hazardous chemicals. Panama described the Wednesday draft as “repulsive” and demanded a complete rewrite. Saudi Arabia insisted that no agreement could be reached until the treaty’s scope was clearly defined.
More than 1,000 delegates have gathered in Geneva for this sixth round of talks, following a stalled meeting last year in South Korea. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warns that without intervention, plastic production could triple by 2060, worsening ocean pollution, health risks and climate change.
While industry representatives such as America’s Plastic Makers voiced optimism, they cautioned against any deal that restricts plastic production. Environmental advocates, meanwhile, stressed that a weak agreement would be worse than no treaty at all.
The outcome of the extended talks will determine whether countries can unite behind an ambitious, science-driven framework or settle for a diluted accord that fails to curb the escalating global plastics crisis.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
