By AFP - Agence France Presse
US 'disappointed' after plastic pollution talks collapse: White House
The US government said Tuesday it was “disappointed” after nations negotiating a global treaty to reduce plastic waste failed to reach an agreement, blaming a “small group” of countries and producers for blocking progress.
Delegates from almost 200 nations debated for a week in South Korea on how to prevent millions of tons of plastic waste from entering the environment each year.
The talks should have ended with the world's first agreement on reducing plastic pollution after almost two years of discussions, but they concluded without a deal - except to extend the negotiations.
“The United States is disappointed by the lack of a legally binding international agreement adequate to meet the momentum of dealing with plastic pollution,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement on Tuesday.
“A small group of countries and producers have impeded progress to protect their profits and perpetuate an inadequate status quo,” he said.
Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peak, in the deepest ocean trench, and spread over almost every part of the human body.
Delegations seeking an ambitious treaty have previously warned that a handful of countries were firmly blocking progress.
A draft text released on Sunday afternoon, after several delays, included a wide range of options, reflecting the continuing disagreement.
The president of the negotiations, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, said late on Sunday that more time was needed for the talks.
Countries, including oil-producing nations such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, have resisted restrictions on plastic production.
Iran said there was a “huge gap” between the parties, while Russia warned that agreement on a treaty was “being hampered by very high ambitions on the part of certain parties.”
The divisions between the nations are so deep that they have yet to agree on how any decision will be adopted - by consensus or by majority vote.
Environmental groups have warned that another round of negotiations could be similarly hampered if ambitious countries are unwilling to push for a vote.
The world's two biggest plastic producers - China and the United States - have remained relatively quiet about their positions in public.
dhw/sco
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