Menu

Update

From Punta del Este to Geneva | First Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1)

Last updated: 09 Feb 2026

Chemicals and Pollution | Health and Environment

SDG3 | SDG12

The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1) was hosted by the Government of Switzerland, from 2 to 6 February 2026 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). The session was preceded by regional and stakeholder meetings on 1 February 2026, at the same venue.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP) is a new, independent intergovernmental body established to strengthen the global science-policy interface. The Panel will provide policymakers with authoritative, policy-relevant scientific advice to support the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, taking into account different national circumstances, development priorities, and capacities. Its goal is to help protect human health and safeguard the environment for present and future generations.

Established on 20 June 2025 under the mandate of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/8, the Panel addresses one of the most critical but under-supported pillars of the global environmental agenda. The panel completes the “trio of panels” or “trifecta” of science panels, alongside the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tackling climate change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) tackling biodiversity loss, thus covering the whole triple planetary crisis.

Governments, scientists, and stakeholders from all regions agreed to the Panel’s foundational document through an intergovernmental process from 2022 to 2025. The Secretariat of the Panel is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

First Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1)

The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1) was hosted by the Government of Switzerland, from 2 to 6 February 2026 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). The session was preceded by regional and stakeholder meetings on 1 February 2026, at the same venue.

Official Website
Information Note

Outcomes

The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution was adjourned on Friday, 6 February, at 20:44 CET. Earlier in the week, the Plenary elected the Chair, Osvaldo Alvarez from Chile, and eight of the ten Bureau members. The Bureau has been entrusted to select the venue, dates, and agenda for the resumed session to complete deliberations on the Rules of Procedure and the Trust Fund. Decisions on the location of the Secretariat and intersessional work remain pending. Côte d’Ivoire and the United States joined the Panel during the week, bringing the Panel’s membership to 129.

With a 50-fold increase in the production of chemicals since 1950, projected to triple again by 2050 relative to 2010, and various million deaths each year from chemical or pollution exposure, scientists and civil society representatives left the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) disappointed by the limited progress. Reports and reactions include:

→ To dive into ISP-CWP P1 negotiations, catch up with the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage 

Other daily resources on the ISP-CWP P1:

Highlights

https://x.com/GENetwork/status/2019697215133151544

Previous Days

Day 4 | Day 3 | Day 2 | Day 1 | Day 0

Provisional Agenda

  1.  Opening of the session
  2.  Organizational matters:
    (a)     Adoption of the agenda;
    (b)     Organization of work;
    (c)     Status of the membership of the Panel;
    (d)     Election of officers.
  3.  Credentials of representatives
  4.  Report on activities of the interim secretariat.
  5.  Operational arrangements for the Panel:
    (a)     Consideration of the physical location of the Panel secretariat;
    (b)     Rules, procedures and policies transmitted by the intergovernmental meeting to
    establish a science–policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of
    chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution to the Plenary at its first session;
    (c)     Consideration of intersessional work.
  6. Financial and budgetary arrangements for the Panel.
  7. Provisional agenda, dates and venue of the next session of the Plenary.
  8.  Adoption of decisions and the report of the session.
  9.  Any other matters.
  10.  Closure of the session.
Provisional Agenda (UNEP/ISP-CWP.1/1)
Annotated provisional agenda (UNEP/ISP-CWP.1/1/Add.1)

Tentative schedule and organization of work for the first session of the Plenary

Pre-Session Documents

Working Documents

Documents UNEP/ISP-CWP.1/3 – UNEP/ISP-CWP.1/6 contain annexes transmitted to the first session of the Plenary from the Intergovernmental Meeting with limited editorial adjustments. Their content as transmitted can be found in the Report of the intergovernmental meeting to establish a science‑policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (UNEP/SPP-CWP/IM/5) | عربي |  中文版 | English | Français |Русский  | Español

Information Documents

Non-Papers

Stakeholders’ Positions

Road to the First ISP-CWP Plenary Session Series

To support Members, governments and other stakeholders in their preparations for the first Plenary session, the ISP-CWP Secretariat, in collaboration with the Geneva Environment Network, organized the “Road to the First ISP-CWP Plenary Session” series of events. The series is designed to provide essential information about the first Plenary session, address key questions, and foster dialogue to ensure inclusive and informed participation.

Road to the First ISP-CWP Plenary Session Series

Introducing the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution: Its Foundational Document, Draft Rules of Procedure and Next Steps | Road to ISP-CWP P1

19 November 2025

Engaging Scientists and Experts to Strengthen the Science-Policy Interface on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution | Road to ISP-CWP P1

16 December 2025

Briefing on the Preparations for the First Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution | Road to ISP-CWP P1

14 January 2026

Other Sessions in Preparation for ISP-CWP P1

Links