2021/2022 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

The fifteenth meeting Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention resumed in Geneva from 6 to 17 June 2022. Find on this page some useful resources.

Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties

The face-to-face segment of the Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) picked up where the High-level Segment left off on 1 June 2022 in Stockholm.

Official Website

Press Conferences

Opening of BRS COPs

The Secretariat of the BRS Conventions held a press conference on the opening of the COPs on 17 June 2022, at the Palais des Nations. The press conference can be viewed on UN Web TV.

Press Release: Opening of BRS COPs

Closing and Outcomes of BRS COPs

The Secretariat of the BRS Conventions hold a press conference on the closing of the COPs on 17 June 2022, at the Palais des Nations. The press conference can be viewed on UN Web TV.

Key Outcomes

Attended by over 1500 delegates from around the world, the BRS COPs produced 23 specific decisions agreed upon under the Basel Convention, 9 under the Rotterdam Convention, 16 under the Stockholm Convention, and 7 joint decisions, adding up to a total of 55 decisions. Here are some key highlights from the two-week conference.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Press Release: Closing and Outcomes of BRS COPs

Schedule of Work

The tentative schedule of work for the two-week face-to-face segment of the BRS COPs can be found here. Other related documents to the meeting can be found on the Conventions Secretariat website.

Side Events

Side events are an opportunity for Parties, subsidiary bodies, and observers to share knowledge, build capacity, network and exchange experiences in the implementation of the BRS Conventions. Fostering dialogue on specific issues being discussed at the COPs, they also help enrich and contribute to discussions on the global agenda for a healthy planet.

The schedule of side events planned during the COPs, and a list of side events that will be broadcast live online with the links to connect on the Conventions’ website are available online.

BRS COPs Side Events

Plastics Forum

The 3-days Plastics Forum, took place from 8 to 10 June, and included interactive panel debates, spotlight presentations, and booth exhibits, on the stage and exhibition area of CICG, as well as the Plastic is Forever hackathon and social media challenge, runningalongside the standard BRS COPs schedule.

On the nights of 10 and 11 June, participants and general public enjoyed the Plastic is Forever illuminations on the façade of the Palais des Nations.

Plastics Forum Detailed Programme

Geneva Environment Network @ Plastics Forum and BRS COPs

The Geneva Environment Network took part in the Plastics Forum and the BRS COPs, with a stand featuring the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues, and co-organized or supported various side events.

Health, Chemicals, Plastics & a Non-Toxic Circular Economy | Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues

9 June 2022, 13:15–14:45 CEST | IPEN, Switzerland, Uruguay, GEN

Plastics & Refuse-Derived Fuel: Fuel Product or Plastic Waste Export? | Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues

9 June 2022, 18:15–19:45 CEST | IPEN, GEN

‘Chemical recycling’ of plastics – What is it and what impacts for the environment? | BRS COPs Side Event

10 June 2022, 13:15–14:45 CEST | IPEN, GAIA

The Basel Plastics Amendments: The First Year Report Card | BRS COPs Side Event

13 June 2022 | 18:15–19:45 CEST | Basel Action Network

Youth Participation in National Implementation Plan and Strategies (NIPs) to the BRS Conventions | BRS COPs Side Event

15 June 2022 | 13:15–14:45 CEST | IPEN & CIEL

Children and their Exposure to Pesticides and Other Hazardous Chemicals | BRS COPs Side Event

16 June 2022 | 13:15–14:45 CEST | OHCHR & BRS-UNEP-FAO

Virtual stand featuring the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues.

High-Level Segment of the BRS COPs

The High-level Segment of the BRS COPs took place alongside Stockholm+50 on Wednesday, 1 June 2022.

Under the theme “Global Agreements for a Healthy Planet: Sound management of chemicals and waste”, the High-level Segment addressed how the BRS Conventions contribute to tackle the triple planetary environmental crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. It also aimed to raise political awareness of and support for the Conventions, as well as promote a dialogue among ministers and other high-level delegates.

The #BRSCOPs High-level Segment took place at the beginning of June, in association with @StockholmPlus50

⏬Here are the key messages (a thread)⏬#GlobalAgreements for a #HealthyPlanet pic.twitter.com/8V0v4CtGUU

— The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (@brsmeas) June 15, 2022

You can rewatch the High-Level Segment below:

Closing of the BRS COPs

Relevant Resources

BRS COPs conclude with major decisions on e-waste movement and ban of harmful chemicals affecting firefighters | Press Release | BRS Conventions Secretariat | 17 June 2022
Global environmental agenda advances as BRS COPs are held in Geneva to discuss chemicals and wastes management | Press Release | BRS Conventions Secretariat | 7 June 2022
More than 1500 participants representing the Parties to the BRS Conventions reconvene in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6 to 17 June, for the first time in three years.
International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)
- Quick Views for the 2022 BRS COPs
  Summary statement of IPEN views on issues that the COPs will be called upon to address.
- Toward a Plastics Treaty
  IPEN’s call for a plastic treaty that aims to reduce plastics production and promote safer materials for a true circular economy.
- Why Low POPs Content Levels Matter
  How we can eliminate POPs in Waste for Health and Environmental Protection.
- Interventions at BRS COPs 2022
  Various interventions by IPEN members during BRS COPs 2022
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
- A BRS Cha-Cha: UN Chemicals Negotiations Make Some Key Advances, Delay Already Overdue Protections, and Offer Lessons for Future Plastics Treaty | 17 June 2022
- CIEL Expert Availability at the UN Negotiations on the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste in Geneva | 3 June 2022
IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin
Updated coverage by the ENB team of the BRS COPs. Key takeaways are also available on their Twitter account.
Chemicals conference in Geneva: what’s on the agenda? | Michelle Langrand | Geneva Solutions | 6 June 2022
E-waste, plastics and harmful chemicals will be top of the agenda, as countries gather in Geneva to discuss the road towards a toxic-free planet.

Learning

Introductory Course to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Introductory Course to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

Who to Follow on Twitter

#BRSCOPs #GlobalAgreements for a #HealthyPlanet#HealthyPlanetHealthyPeople

Gallery

Photos from the 2022 BRS Conference of the Parties are available on the official BRS Flickr account.