More time needed for plastic pollution treaty: chair

Busan, South Korea: Parties have not reached an agreement on a landmark treaty to curb plastic pollution and more time for negotiations is needed, the...

Busan, South Korea: Parties have not reached an agreement on a landmark treaty to curb plastic pollution and more time for negotiations is needed, the talks' chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso told delegates on Sunday.

"We must build on the progress we have made," he said in South Korea's Busan. "There is a general agreement to resume the current session at a later date to conclude our negotiations."

Nearly 200 nations have gathered in the city for negotiations that were supposed to result in a landmark accord after two years of discussions.

"While it is encouraging that portions of the text have been agreed upon, we must also recognise that a few critical issues still prevent us from reaching a comprehensive agreement," Vayas said.

The Ecuadorian diplomat added that "these unresolved issues remain challenging and additional time will be needed to address them effectively".