Delegates from nearly 180 countries convened in Geneva for the sixth and likely final round of United Nations negotiations aimed at establishing a legally binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution. The talks come amid growing evidence of the severe health and environmental impacts of plastics, with reports highlighting that plastic pollution causes disease, disability, and death across all stages of its lifecycle, contributing to health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually. Plastic production has surged from 2 megatonnes in 1950 to 475 megatonnes in 2022 and is projected to reach 1,200 megatonnes by 2060 if unchecked. The negotiations face substantial challenges, including opposition from petrochemical-producing countries and the United States, which has urged other nations to reject caps on plastic production. The U.S. and oil-producing states favor voluntary pledges rather than binding limits, while the European Union and island nations advocate for strict production caps. Over 370 unresolved points remain in the treaty draft, reflecting deep divisions among participants. Climate advocates warn that plastic pollution is projected to triple by 2040, exacerbating environmental and health crises. African nations are attempting to present a united front amid these pressures. The World Health Organization has called for health considerations to be central in the treaty negotiations. Meanwhile, the oil industry’s influence at the talks has increased, with China identified as the world’s largest plastic producer and expanding its petrochemical infrastructure. The conference aims to finalize the treaty by mid-August, but skepticism remains about achieving consensus given the entrenched geopolitical and economic interests involved.