International talks on curbing plastic pollution fail to reach agreement

Chair of talks in Busan says progress has been made but a few critical issues' are unresolved

Negotiators have failed to reach agreement on a landmark treaty to curb plastic pollution, the diplomat chairing the talks has said.

Nearly 200 nations are taking part in a meeting in Busan, South Korea, which is intended to result in a landmark agreement after two years of discussions. A week of talks has failed to resolve deep divisions between high-ambition" countries seeking a globally binding agreement to limit production and phase out harmful chemicals, and like-minded" nations who want to focus on waste.