Negotiations kicked off Tuesday in Geneva aimed at forging a binding international treaty to combat plastic pollution — a growing environmental threat with global reach.
Small island nations, often hardest hit by marine debris, are calling for dedicated international funding to support cleanup and prevention efforts. However, oil-producing countries including Saudi Arabia and Russia are pushing back, advocating for non-binding, voluntary approaches instead.
The United States has also voiced reservations, emphasizing improved waste management systems over mandates to curb plastic production.
Experts warn that without enforceable global standards, plastic pollution could nearly double by 2040, according to data from the Nordic Council of Ministers.