South Korea and 66 other countries that support a strong international treaty on plastic pollution have called for the end of plastic pollution by 2040.

The countries in the High Ambition Coalition reaffirmed that ambition Tuesday in a minister-level joint statement at the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in the southeastern port city of Busan.

The countries called for a legally binding treaty that covers joint action regarding the entire cycle of plastic production, use and disposal.

They urged all countries to agree to a treaty that outlines measurable goals that must be met within a fixed period of time, to ensure the coalition is on track to ending plastic pollution.

The countries stressed that reducing the production and consumption of plastic polymers, a key raw material sourced from fossil fuels, to sustainable levels must be included in the treaty.

They are also calling for a mechanism to be put in place to revise and bolster the treaty when necessary.