Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations Stall

Environmental advocates criticize oil-producing countries for stalling progress, next round of talks scheduled for April 2024.

Negotiations for a global treaty to end plastic pollution closed on Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya, without reaching a consensus on how to advance the draft of the treaty.
Environmental advocates criticized the outcome, accusing oil-producing countries of employing stalling tactics to weaken the treaty.
Delegates suggested options to strengthen global rules across the entire lifecycle of plastic from production to disposal, but some oil-producing countries advocated for shifting the focus to waste management and having voluntary measures at national levels.
More than 1,900 participants from 161 countries, including government officials, representatives of intergovernmental organizations, and civil society members, took part in the talks.
The next round of negotiations will take place in Ottawa, Canada in April 2024, with a final draft expected by the end of 2024.