Geneva, Switzerland (Enmaeya News) — Negotiations for a global plastics treaty, hailed as one of the most important environmental agreements in recent years, are at risk of stalling as countries remain divided over key issues.

With the deadline approaching, disagreements persist over the treaty’s scope, definitions, and potential limits on plastic production. The current working text contains nearly 1,500 unresolved points, five times more than the previous round of talks.

After nearly three years of negotiations, countries have yet to agree on a shared definition of “plastic pollution,” and some continue to debate whether production controls should be included. Some delegations are calling for mandatory production cuts, while others oppose such measures, citing concerns about national sovereignty and economic impact.

A consolidated draft from the latest Geneva session outlines proposals from different working groups covering the treaty’s scope, obligations, implementation, and governance. It highlights both areas of progress and major disagreements and serves as the basis for further negotiations.

Observers say finalizing a comprehensive treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics—from production and design to waste management and recycling—is urgent.

As the deadline nears, the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.