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Chemicals and Waste Negotiations Briefing to Permanent Missions
A briefing focusing on the recent developments under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the preparation for the fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) was organized within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, at the International House. An update was also provided on the status of implementation of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national kevel towards the implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions and SAICM.
Significant steps were agreed in May by parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions Triple Conference of the Parties (COPs), held in Geneva. Almost 1,200 participants from 171 countries gathered to push forward the chemicals and waste agenda at this biennial event.
ICCM4 will take place from 28 September to 2 October 2015, in Geneva, immediately following the United Nations Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda. It will mark a major milestone as it is the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Strategic Approach. A high-level segment is scheduled for 1 and 2 October 2015, with participation of ministers, heads of United Nations agencies and organizations, Chief Executive Officers and high-level participants from major groups and stakeholders. With only 5 years remaining to reach the 2020 goal, stakeholders should make full use of the Conference to adopt strategic decisions to enable the international community to achieve the 2020 goal of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
At the briefing a presentation was also made on the status of implementation of the Special Programme, including the establishment of the Executive Board. The Special Programme is a direct response to a call made by Governments to strengthen the financial basis for the implementation of the legally binding chemicals and waste conventions.
Agenda:
10:00
Coffee & Tea
10:15
Welcome and Introduction
Barbara RUIS, Legal Officer, UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions/Regional Office for Europe
10:20
Follow-up on the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions COPs
Rolph PAYET, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat
10:40
Preparations for ICCM4
Jacob DUER, Coordinator, Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and SAICM Secretariat
Brenda KOEKKOEK, Programme Officer, SAICM Secretariat
11:00
Swiss perspective recent COPs and ICCM4
Luca ARNOLD, Head of Global Affairs, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment
11:15
Update on the Special Programme
Jacob DUER, Coordinator, Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and SAICM Secretariat
11:30
Question-and-answer session
12:00
End
Discussion:
In her welcoming remarks, the chair, introduced Ligia NORONHA, head of UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics. Ligia announced that Achim HALPAP, will be the new head of the Chemicals Branch, from 7 September 2015.
The various presentations made by the Secretariats during this event and the documents mentionned can be downloaded below.
Luca ARNOLD, representing Switzerland, provided perspectives on the outcome of 2015 triple COPs, mentioning the successful joint organization of the COPs thanks to several factors and providing comments on lessons learned to be used for the preparation of the 2017 COPs. He also provided perspectives on the ICCM4, an important meeting as decisions to be taken on the future of SAICM. They would like SAICM to focus on a few areas up to 2020. One is the further work on emerging policy issues such as nanotechnology but as well on hazardous substances in the life cyle of e-products. Switzerland believes both SAICM and and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions have important roles to play role in implementing SDGs. Switzerland also anounced that they have made an offer to host the Minamata Convention Secretariat in Geneva (see document below), as relevant actors are based here, with a contribution of 2.5 mio/year.
Following questions and remarks from Japan, France, Uruguay, the panellists provided additional information on various topics, including the role of the Geneva diplomatic community, theICCM4 high level segment mobilization one week after the adoption of SDGs in NY , the Special Programme Secretariat organization and links with other bodies based in Geneva, invitation sent to the capitals.
Links:
– SAICM ICCM4 website
– BRS Secretariat website
– UNEP Special programe webpate
https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/einvitation_7_july_2015.pdf
https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/offer_switzerland_2015-06-26.pdf
