Update
Road to Punta del Este | CWP SPP OEWG 3.2& GFC OEWG 1
The resumed third session of the Ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention (OEWG 3.2) will take place from 15 to 18 June 2025 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, at the Convention and Exhibition Center back to back with the Intergovernmental Meeting for the purpose of considering the establishment of the science-policy panel, and with the first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) to be held in the same venue held from 24–27 June 2025. This page aims at listing preparatory sessions, relevant information, press releases issued ahead of the meetings in Punta Del Este.
Resumed Third session of the Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution (OEWG 3.2)
A resumed session, OEWG 3.2, was held from 15 to 18 June 2025 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, with the aim of finalizing the key documents enabling the establishment and operationalization of the SPP. The meeting was preceded by regional consultations on 14 June 2025. OEWG 3.2 was organized back-to-back with the Intergovernmental Meeting, to consider the establishment of the SPP, which took place on 20 June 2025, then allow the convening of the first session of the governing body of the panel in the following months and the launching of the substantive work of the science-policy panel.
On 20 June 2025, Member States proved that environmental multilateralism is alive and delivering by establishing the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP). Together with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the world now has three bodies to respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and, as of last week, pollution. The foundational document establishing the Panel was adopted with bracketed text, and other documents were forwarded to the first meeting of the Panel, including on operating principles, scope and rules of procedure. Stressing about the lack of reference in the foundational document to human rights standards and principles such as equality and non-discrimination, gender equality, intergenerational equity, participation, transparency and accountability, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted its committment to work to strengthen a human rights-based approach in the work of this Panel. Indigenous Peoples called upon delegates to support their formal request to establish an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee as an integral part of the new panel, to ensure the mainstreaming of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, protections for Indigenous knowledge systems, and to ensure the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples.
More Resources & News
- IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin
- Nations come together to establish new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution | UNEP | 20 June 2025
- The Devil is in the Details: Member States Establish Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, With Key Elements Unresolved | CIEL | 20 June 2025
- Science Panel Established, but Protections for Environment and Health Remain in Limbo | IPEN | 20 June 2025
- IPCP Punta del Este Briefings Day 5 | Day 4 | Day 3 | Day 2 | Day 1 | Preparatory Meetings
- Why the Science-Policy Panel for Chemicals and Waste Must Get It Right | CIEL | 6 June 2025
- Quick Views: Science-Policy Panel OEWG3.2 | IPEN | May 2025
First Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)
The first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) will be held from 24–27 June 2025 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The event is open to all stakeholders committed to sustainable global chemicals management, particularly professionals representing governments, industry, health and labour, business and industry associations, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
The OEWG will include discussions and work on the Framework’s resolutions, including those focused on implementation programmes, the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides, the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund, and the Gender Action Plan. Participants will also focus on emerging policy issues, capacity building, and the integration of safe and sustainable chemicals management practices across economic and industrial sectors, including textiles, agriculture, and finance. There will also be preparations for the International Conference scheduled for late 2026.
Prior to the conference, on the mornings of 22 and 23 June, the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) will host a global multi-stakeholder workshop to develop a GFC Implementation Programme for “Strengthening National Chemicals Legislation and Institutional Capacities”.
On the afternoon of 23 June 2025, technical briefings have been planned successively on the GFC Fund (12:30 to 13:30) and on measurability and indicators (13:30 to 15:30). Following those briefings, from 15:30 to 18:00, space is available for informal regional and stakeholder consultations.
Road to Punta del Este Preparatory Sessions
Preparatory Sessions within the Framework of the Geneva Environment Network
Various sessions in preparation of the Punta del Este meetings are being organized within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network.
Other Preparatory Sessions
- Chemicals management in the textile value chain – Developing an Implementation Programme under the Global Framework on Chemicals | UNEP, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), Pesticides Action Network (PAN) UK and Ambition Loop | 26 June 2025 | 8:00 – 9:30 CEST | Register
- Chemicals in Textiles: Why the Global Framework on Chemicals Matters | Ambition Loop and UNEP | 23 June 2025 | 15:00 CEST
- Global Burden of Disease in the context of the Global Framework on Chemicals | WHO | 10 June 2025 | 13:30 – 15:00 CEST
- Gender Action Plan of the Global Framework on Chemicals | GFC & GGKP | 30 May 2025 | 14:00 CEST
- From Participation to Partnership: Strengthening Youth and Civil Society Roles in the Future Science-Policy Panel | Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP | 27 May 2025 | 15:00–16:30 CEST
- Strengthening Workers’ Health and Safety in Chemicals and Waste Management | GFC, ILO, GGKP | 21 May 2025 | 14:00 – 15:30 CEST
- Meeting of the Global Chemicals and Health Network | Part 1 | WHO | 20 May 2025 | 13:30 – 15:00 CEST