Plastics Chemicals of Concern and the Role of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and Youth as Drivers of Change in the Future Plastics Treaty | 2025 BRS COPs Side Event

This side event to the 2025 meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions is organized by AKO Foundation together with Environment Youth Action Network (EYAN), Environmental Protection Agency- Ghana, African Youth Alliance for Chemicals and waste (AYACW), Global Environment Facility (GEF), International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN Youth) and the Geneva Environment Network (GEN).

About this Event

Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, not only due to waste accumulation but also because of the toxic chemicals embedded in plastics. Hazardous chemicals, such as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs), PFAS, and other hazardous additives, pose significant health and environmental risks. The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions have laid a strong foundation for regulating hazardous chemicals and waste, and their role in the future Global Plastics Treaty will be crucial in addressing plastic-related chemical pollution.

This side event will explore the intersection between the BRS Conventions and the future Plastics Treaty, focusing on how BRS mechanisms can contribute to the sound management of hazardous chemicals in plastics. Additionally, it will highlight how youth can be drivers of change in advocating for chemical transparency and stronger policy frameworks.

Key discussions will include identifying plastics chemicals of concern, exploring synergies between BRS and the Plastics Treaty, and showcasing youth-led initiatives to tackle hazardous chemicals in plastic production and waste management. The event aims to contribute to the 2025 BRS COPs theme, “Make Visible the Invisible: Sound Management of Chemicals and Wastes,” by emphasizing the hidden dangers of plastic-associated chemicals and advocating for stronger governance.

2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

The seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-17), the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) will be held back-to-back in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025. Side events to the 2025 meetings of the BRS COPs will serve as a platform for Parties and observers to share knowledge, build capacity, network and exchange on experience in the implementation of the BRS conventions. They also contribute to fostering discussions on specific issues under consideration at the COPs.

Towards the 2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Geneva Toxic Free Talks

The Geneva Toxic Free Talks is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges posed by the production, use and dissemination of toxics. This series, taking place in the margins of the 2025 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs 2025), will highlight how Geneva, as a global hub for tackling toxic substances and waste, contributes to bringing together the actors working in reversing the toxic tide.

Speakers

By order of intervention.

Roland WEBER

POPs Environmental Consulting

Sam ADU-KUMI

Executive Director, EnviroHealth Consult Ltd and Environment Youth Action Network

Shinichi CHEE

CWYP

Leonie Claudia DIETSCHI

CWYP

Sarra GHARBI

IPEN Youth | AEEFG

Kwame OFORI

Executive Director, AKO Foundation | Moderator

Highlights

#Live now!

Join this #BRSCOPs2025 side event exploring synergies between @brsmeas & #PlasticsTreaty, showcasing youth-led initiatives to tackle hazardous chemicals in plastic production and waste management.

▶️ https://t.co/JsfVoBTziN
📽️ https://t.co/ehXcOEEAFX pic.twitter.com/7zdNbw1v5c
— GENeva Environment Network (@GENetwork) May 8, 2025