Negotiators meet in fourth round over global rules in plastics treaty
The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.
In 2015, the U.N.'s 193 member nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve universal peace and prosperity by 2030. Despite progress on some fronts, including sustainable consumption and ocean conservation, the U.N. says 85% of the agenda is off-track due to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and Russia's war on Ukraine.
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The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.
The wars in Europe and the Middle East, climate change and soaring national debts hung over the annual talks.
A new U.N. report shows how prioritizing debt over services like health care and education plagues the developing world.
Just 22.3% of all the e-waste - any product that has a plug or battery - was properly collected and recycled in 2022.
Europe dominates the top rankings as development in half of the world’s poorest nations falls below pre-pandemic levels.
From fishing subsidies to agricultural reforms, the World Trade Organization failed to reach common ground.
IMF forecasts a strengthening global economy as inflation cools, but warns of the threat of wars and other disruptions.
FAO's Food Price Index tracks five commodity groups. Experts say food distribution is a worry even if supplies are plentiful.
Global economic growth is projected to slow to 2.4% this year, down from 2.7% in 2023 and 3% before the pandemic began.
The World Bank is warning of a "lost decade" as rising interest rates push developing economies to the brink.
A handful of fossil fuel producing countries and industries show no interest in a strong, restrictive and legally binding instrument.
Oil and plastic producing nations and lobbyists sought more emphasis on recycling instead of production cuts.
This is the third round of talks to develop an international legally binding deal that includes plastic waste in the ocean.
The summit marking BRI's 10-year anniversary notably drew Russia's President Vladimir Putin as a guest of honor among leaders and officials from 130 nations.
The heads of some of the biggest multilateral development banks said the world faces a global “polycrisis” affecting development at an unprecedented scale.
The idea is to speed up the adoption of a global economic model that more closely aligns with the U.N.'s 17 Global Goals.