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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Global plastic pollution treaty talks collapse over lack of consensus
Five previous rounds over the past two and a half years failed to seal an agreement on dealing with plastic pollution Photo: JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP Talks aimed at striking a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart Friday as countries failed to find consensus on how the world should tackle the ever-growing scourge. Negotiators from 185 nations worked beyond Thursday's deadline and through the night in an ultimately futile search for common ground. A large bloc wants bold action such as curbing plastic production, while a smaller clutch of oil-producing states want to focus more narrowly on waste management. The stalemate was a resounding failure for the environment and for international diplomacy at a time when its frailties are in the spotlight. Delegates speak after talks on a global treaty on combating plastic pollution were extended an extra day in Geneva Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP Countries voiced anger and despair as the talks unravelled, but said they wanted future negotiations -- despite six rounds of talks over three years now having failed to find agreement. "We have missed a historic opportunity but we have to keep going and act urgently," said Cuba. Colombia added: "The negotiations were consistently blocked by a small number of states who simply don't want an agreement." Tuvalu, speaking for 14 Pacific small island developing states, said: "For our islands this means that without global cooperation and state action, millions of tonnes of plastic waste will continue to be dumped in our oceans, affecting our ecosystem, food security, livelihood and culture." Read More: Clock ticks down on plastic pollution treaty The High Ambition Coalition, which includes the European Union, Britain and Canada, and many African and Latin American countries, wanted to see language on reducing plastic production and the phasing out of toxic chemicals used in plastics. The cluster of mostly oil-producing states calling themselves the Like-Minded Group -- including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Iran, and Malaysia -- want a much narrower remit. These countries railed against the negotiations being based on the entire life-cycle of plastic: from the petroleum-derived substance right through to waste. "Our views were not reflected... without an agreed scope, this process cannot remain on the right track," said Kuwait. Bahrain said it wanted a treaty that "does not penalise developing countries for exploiting their own resources". France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said: "I am disappointed, and I am angry," blaming a handful of countries, "guided by short-term financial interests", for blocking an ambitious treaty. "Oil-producing countries and their allies have chosen to look the other way," she said. The talks in Geneva -- called after the collapse of the fifth and supposedly final round of talks in South Korea late last year -- opened on August 5. With countries far apart, Vayas produced two different draft texts on Wednesday and early Friday. The first was immediately shredded by countries, but while the second gained some traction, by sunrise, the game was up. Talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso said the session had merely been adjourned rather than ended. He told AFP that countries and the secretariat "will be working to try to find a date and also a place" for resuming the talks. The negotiations were hosted by the UN Environment Programme. UNEP chief Inger Andersen told AFP that the Geneva talks had fleshed out the deeper details of where countries' red lines were. "They've exchanged on these red lines amongst one another -- that's a very important step," she said. However, environmental NGOs warned that without radically changing the process to better reflect the majority view, future talks would hit the same dead end -- while plastic garbage would continue choking the environment. The Center for International Environmental Law's David Azoulay said the talks had been an "abject failure" because some countries were out to "block any attempt at advancing a viable treaty". "We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result," said Greenpeace's delegation head Graham Forbes, blaming "fossil fuel interests" and "a handful of bad actors" for exploiting the consensus-based process to skewer meaningful action. The World Wide Fund for Nature said the talks exposed how consensus decision-making "had now "outplayed its role in international environmental negotiations". More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, half of which is for single-use items. While 15 percent of plastic waste is collected for recycling, only nine percent is actually recycled. Nearly half, or 46 percent, ends up in landfills, while 17 percent is incinerated and 22 percent is mismanaged and becomes litter. The plastic pollution problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. On current trends, annual production of fossil-fuel-based plastics will nearly triple by 2060 to 1.2 billion tonnes, while waste will exceed one billion tonnes, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Newsweek
Honduras Travel Alert Issued For US Citizens Over Mass Shooting Threats
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States Embassy in Honduras has issued a security alert to U.S. citizens in Honduras over a possible mass shooting threat on May 6 and again on May 16. Newsweek reached out to the State Department via email for comment. Why It Matters The State Department has issued numerous travel and security-related alerts to U.S. citizens in over 100 countries. The State Department can issue four travel advisory levels: one is to exercise normal precautions, two is to exercise increased caution, and three is to reconsider travel. A level four advisory means do not travel. What To Know In the Tuesday alert, the U.S. Embassy in Honduras warns that possible mass shootings could occur in Tegucigalpa, the nation's capital. According to the alert, the threats are for the Elliot Dover Christian School in Tegucigalpa, the Centro Civico in Tegucigalpa, and an unnamed mall in Tegucigalpa. "Due to the serious risk posed by this threat U.S. Embassy personnel have been instructed to avoid those locations," the U.S. Embassy says in the alert. "U.S. citizens are strongly urged to also avoid these locations. At this time there is no information to suggest that the threat is targeted specifically towards U.S. citizens. The Embassy is cooperating with Honduran police in investigating this threat," the alert says. Honduras currently has an overall level three travel warning for American citizens by the State Department, citing widespread violent crime as a contributing factor; However, the country also has a level 4 advisory for the Gracias a Dios Department—the most eastern portion of the country. The State Department says the department has high levels of criminal activity and "Narcotics trafficking is widespread." Americans who decide to travel to the Central American country should avoid demonstrations, not walk or drive at nighttime, and should avoid displaying signs of wealth, the State Department advises in part. Notably, other U.S. allies have issued travel warnings for the United States amid increased concern for immigration enforcement amid ongoing deportations. Tourists can be seen visiting the boardwalk in Belize City before the arrival of Tropical Storm Lisa on November 1, 2022. Photo by Johan ORDONEZ / AFP) (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images) Tourists can be seen visiting the boardwalk in Belize City before the arrival of Tropical Storm Lisa on November 1, 2022. Photo by Johan ORDONEZ / AFP) (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images) What People Are Saying The State Department's website, in part about travel in Honduras, stated in December: "Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country and can be about a variety of political or economic issues. Protests, demonstrations, tire burnings, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. They can shutdown roads and highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. "In December 2022, the Government of Honduras declared a 'State of Exception' in response to high levels of extortion and other crimes. The declaration remains in effect and has been modified to include more cities. It allows the police to suspend constitutional rights in 226 of the country's 298 municipalities." Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, at a briefing last month: "I think most recognize the U.S. is a great place to do business, a beautiful place to visit, and they should come here because it is a much safer country than four years ago under the previous president." What Happens Next The U.S. Embassy has not disclosed details about the threat, and Honduran authorities have not confirmed related warnings or arrests. U.S. citizens are urged to stay alert, avoid crowds, and follow local news, especially around May 6 and May 16. Embassy officials continue to monitor the situation and may issue further updates if needed.
