Road to the First ISP-CWP Plenary Session Series

In the run-up to the first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, taking place in Geneva from 2 to 6 February 2026, the ISP-CWP Secretariat, in collaboration with the Geneva Environment Network, is organizing a series of events to prepare Member States, stakeholders and other interested parties for the session.

About the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP) is a new, independent intergovernmental that was established in June 2025, in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The Panel addresses one of the most critical but under-supported pillars of the global environmental agenda. Pollution is now recognized as a leading threat to planetary and human well-being, yet the global response remains fragmented and uneven. ISP-CWP aims to fill this gap by assessing knowledge, identifying policy options, and catalyzing action that is effective, inclusive, and grounded in scientific evidence. The establishment of the Panel also completes the “trio of panels”, alongside the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tackling climate change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) tackling biodiversity loss, thus covering the whole triple planetary crisis.

The Panel will provide policymakers with authoritative, policy-relevant scientific advice to support the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, taking into account different national circumstances, development priorities, and capacities. Its goal is to help protect human health and safeguard the environment for present and future generations.

Governments, scientists, and stakeholders from all regions agreed to the Panel’s foundational document through an intergovernmental process from 2022 to 2025, under the mandate of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/8. The Secretariat of the Panel is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

First session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1)

The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1) will be hosted by the Government of Switzerland from 2 February to 6 February 2026, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). The session will be preceded by regional and stakeholder meetings on 1 February 2026, at the same venue.

At ISP-CWP P1, Members of the Panel are expected to agree on a number of items necessary for the Panel’s operationalization, including electing the first Chair and the Bureau of the Panel. Members are also expected to advance work on the rules and procedures necessary to launch the Panel’s substantive work.

UNEP/ISP-CWP/1/1 - Provisional agenda