Talks aimed at striking a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart Friday without agreement, 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 between nations wanting bold action such as curbing plastic production, and oil-producing states preferring to focus more narrowly on waste management.

Several countries voiced bitter disappointment as the talks unravelled, but said they were prepared for 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. The planet and present and future generations need this treaty," 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........

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