UNEP Chemicals Negotiations Debriefing

The past years have been crucial for the chemicals agenda at the global level.

Mercury
In 2009, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council agreed on the need to develop a global legally binding instrument on mercury and to complete negotiations prior to the 27th session of UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, in 2013. The work to prepare this instrument is undertaken by an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee supported by UNEP Chemicals Branch. The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 27 June to 2 July 2012.

SAICM
Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals, which secretariat is also supported by UNEP Chemicals Branch. The third session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM3), will be held in Nairobi on 17-21 September 2012.

The Geneva Environment Network Secretariat organized a briefing on the outcomes of INC4 and preparations of ICCM3, held at the International Environment House on Thursday 26 July. The work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Chemicals and Waste Convetions was discussed during this event, but has been included on the agenda of other recent and upcoming events.

Agenda

9:30
Coffee & Tea

9:45
Welcome and introduction
Jan Dusik, Acting Director, Regional Office for Europe, UNEP

9:50
Outcomes of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury
Tim Kasten, Chief, Chemicals Branch, UNEP
Fernando Lugris, INC Chair, Uruguay
Jacob Duer, Coordinator, Mercury Negotiations Team, Chemicals Branch, UNEP
Sheila Logan, Programme Officer, Mercury Negotiations Team, Chemicals Branch, UNEP

10:20
Question-and-answer session

10:40
Status of preparations for ICCM3
Tim Kasten, Chief, Chemicals Branch, UNEP
Leonor Alvarado, Coordinator, SAICM, UNEP

11:10
Question-and-answer session

11:30
End