Nations warn of ‘obstruction’ at South Korea plastics talks
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA—Dozens of countries warned on Sunday that a handful of nations were obstructing efforts in South Korea to reach an ambitious landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution.
With hours to go until negotiations are scheduled to end, a group of mostly oil-producing “like-minded countries” have reportedly refused to compromise on key sticking points.
Those include setting targets for reducing plastic production and phasing out chemicals known or believed to be harmful to human health.
“We also are worried by the continuing obstruction by the so-called like-minded countries,” Olga Givernet, France’s minister delegate for energy, told reporters.
“Finding an agreement for us on [an] ambitious treaty that reduces plastic pollution remains an absolute priority for France,” Givernet said.
“We are planning on pushing it, pushing it again.”
Plastic production is on track to triple by 2060, and over 90 percent of plastic is not recycled.
Disagreement
But while everyone negotiating in Busan agrees on the problem, they disagree on the solution.
Countries including Saudi Arabia and Russia insist the deal should focus only on waste and reject calls for binding global measures.
They have made their position clear in documents submitted in negotiations and during public plenary sessions, though neither delegation responded to repeated Agence-France Presse (AFP) requests for comment.
