Negotiations to establish the first global plastics treaty faltered in Geneva on Friday, as delegates failed to reach consensus on critical treaty provisions to tackle pollution.
The final hours saw entrenched positions over key areas – specifically plastic production caps, which had been a key issue that boiled over from last year's failed talks in Korea.
"It's very clear that we did not arrive where we wanted to arrive," UN Environment Programme executive director Inger Andersen told the media on Friday. "People want a deal. Everyone has to understand that this work will not stop, because plastic pollution will not stop."
The Geneva talks were the most high-stakes round yet in a process launched in 2022 to forge a global treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastic.
A draft "chair's text" tabled earlier this week aimed to unify positions, but major producing countries reportedly resisted language that would mandate reductions in plastic output, favouring recycling initiatives instead.
However, Ms Andersen acknowledged that while delegates did not reach a final agreement, some progress was made in clarifying negotiating positions.
Red lines drawn
"Red lines were clarified," she said. "Progress is made because people are demanding a treaty. Now there's a lot of hard work ahead."
Several countries expressed disappointment and frustration at the lack of agreement on a treaty.
A closing statement submitted by Barbados highlighted that more needed to be done to fully recognise the circumstances of Small Island Developing states (SIDS), which face unique sustainable development challenges.
"Unfortunately there was no consensus on the two texts you have placed on the table," the statement from Barbados read. "Both lacked critical elements of importance."
Meanwhile, representatives from Cuba argued that a treaty cannot be effective without establishing a "sufficient, stable, and predictable financing mechanism".
"Developing countries need resources to effectively address plastic pollution," a statement from the Cuban delegation said.
Farah Al Hattab, Lead Plastics Campaigner and Greenpeace Mena’s delegate at the talks, told The National:“The governments’ collective inability to reach an agreement in Geneva must be a wakeup call for the world: delay comes at a cost for people and the planet."
For the region, Ms Hattab said "this outcome is not just disappointing; it is dangerous. From coral reefs in the Red Sea to coastlines, cities, and rural communities across our region, plastic pollution is accelerating, with devastating impacts on ecosystems and communities.”
What happens next?
For now, Ms Andersen said that while she "will not settle" until there is a pathway forward, "it is important that everyone takes time to reflect on what they have heard," with a session to reconvene expected at a later date.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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