Event Conference
Briefing on the 2nd Session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution | Road to OEWG2 Series
28 Nov 2023
13:00
Venue: Online | Webex
Organization: Ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention, Geneva Environment Network
This briefing on the second session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (OEWG 2) taking place in Nairobi, from 11 to 15 December 2023, and preceding informal consultations on 9 and 10 December was held within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, and concluded a series of events organized in preparations for OEWG 2.
About this Event
At the 5th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5), countries agreed to establish an independent, intergovernmental science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. An ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) process has been initiated to prepare proposals for the panel. As set out in the UNEA 5 resolution, the panel will support countries to take action on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, including implementing various international instruments such as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), by providing policy-relevant scientific advice. The Panel will also further support relevant MEAs, other international instruments and intergovernmental bodies, and other relevant stakeholders in their work.
The OEWG concluded its first session on 30 January to 3 February 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, with a particular focus on the scope and functions of the panel and intersessional work, and agreed to hold its second session in December 2023.
This briefing will provide updates on the preparations for the second session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (OEWG 2) taking place in Nairobi, from 11 to 15 December 2023, and preceding informal consultations on 9 and 10 December. It consisted of two major parts: 1) a briefing from the Chair of the OEWG process on the approach to work towards proposals for the panel using a ‘skeleton outline’ at OEWG 2 and the overall expected outcomes; and 2) a general briefing on the overall preparations for OEWG 2 by the secretariat. This briefing, held within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, concluded the series of the “Road to OEWG 2” events organized in preparation for OEWG 2.
Road to OEWG 2 Series
In preparation for the second session, the Road to OEWG 2 | Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution webinar and event series, co-organized by the OEWG Secretariat and Geneva Environment Network aims to build bridges between and among stakeholders, and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing in preparation for OEWG 2 in December 2023.
Previous webinars and events in the series have focused on the process for establishing a science-policy panel, its scope and possible structure (24 January 2023); lessons learned the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), International Resource Panel (IRP), Montreal Protocol, and World Health Organization (WHO) (5 October 2022); the scope of the panel (25 July 2022), operating principles of existing science-policy interfaces mentioned above, (26 April 2023); building bridges between and among stakeholders and raising awareness about the OEWG process (2 May 2023 as a side event to the 2023 BRS COPs); and how members of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) can contribute their scientific expertise throughout the process (1 May 2023, during the European Special Session of SETAC Annual Meeting).
Speakers
Gudi ALKEMADE
Chair, OEWG on a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution | Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Michel TSCHIRREN
Head, Global Affairs Section, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland
Tessa GOVERSE
Principal Officer, Secretariat of the OEWG on a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution, UNEP
Jacqueline ALVAREZ
Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch, UNEP
Nalini SHARMA
Programme Officer, Secretariat of the OEWG on a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution, UNEP
Pia KOHLER
Secretariat of the OEWG on a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution, UNEP
Zhanyun WANG
Secretariat of the OEWG on a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution, UNEP
Nasrudin ABDIRASHID
Conference Services, Governance Affairs Office, UNEP
Highlights
Video
Live on Webex.
Previous Road to OEWG 2/ SPP-CWP Series Events
Arranged in reverse chronological order.
Procedures for Addressing Conflicts of Interest: Lessons Learned from Existing Science-Policy Interfaces | Road to OEWG 2 Series
18 October 2023 | 14:00 – 15:30 CEST
Road to OEWG 2 | Developing Operating Principles of the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention / SPP-CWP Series
26 April 2023 | 13:00 – 14:30 CEST
Documents
All Information Documents and Working Documents are available on the OEWG-2 Website under the “Pre-Session Documents” tab.
- Logistics note for participants
- Skeleton outline for proposals for the establishment of a science-policy panel (UNEP/SPP-CWP/OEWG.2/2)
- Background document on procedures for addressing potential conflicts of interest (UNEP/SPP-CWP/OEWG.1/INF/8)
- Draft scenario note for the second session of the ad hoc open ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution
- Written submissions on needs and questions the panel may handle
Links
- Road to OEWG 2 | Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution / SPP-CWP Series
- Regional Meetings and Briefings
Photo Credits
Attribution for photo © S Martin / Flickr