Towards ICCM5

About the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM)

The International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) is encharged with periodically reviewing the work of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Previous sessions of the conferences have been held in 2006 (ICCM1), 2009 (ICCM2), 2012 (ICCM3), and 2015 (ICCM4).

ICCM5 is the first decision-making meeting to take place after 2020, the year in which SAICM was supposed to have achieved its overall objective of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

At ICCM4, resolution 4/13 (SAICM/ICCM.4/13), initiated an intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste Beyond 2020. This process, taking place in parallel to ICCM, is already at its fourth meeting, which took place in Bucharest, Romania from 29 August to 2 September 2022 and resumed in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27 February to 3 March 2023. This and previous meetings support stakeholders in their efforts to elaborate the future arrangements of the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 for consideration and adoption at ICCM5.

Fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5)

The Fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), initially planned to take place in October 2020 and postponed to July 2021, will take place from 25 to 29 September 2023, with a High-Level Segment (HLS) on 28 and 29 September 2023, at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany. It will be preceded by the Resumed Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP4.3), which will convene from 23 to 24 September 2023, with regional meetings on 21 and 22 September 2023.

Highlights of the Day

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

High-Level Segment of the Fifth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management

Live in English from the World Conference Center Bonn 

You may follow the High-Level Segment also in other UN Languages:

• Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNSW7dLQyQ
• Chinese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aRiQfdsdzE
• French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_JQAWyHle0
• Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lcpVNnESYQ
• Russian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHQp9plT3p4

International Geneva at ICCM5

Numerous Geneva-based experts and diplomats are actively participating in the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).  Home of several international organizations and multilateral environmental agreements addressing chemicals, waste and related pollution challenges, Geneva is a major global hub for the governance of hazardous substances and to beat pollution. Find out more about Geneva actors engaged to achieve the goal of safe and sustainable management of chemicals. → Geneva addressing Hazardous Substances

Geneva Briefing on ICCM5

With preparations for ICCM5 in full swing, the SAICM Secretariat and the Geneva Environment Network organized a multi-stakeholder briefing on 24 August 2023. This event, taking place one month ahead of the intergovernmental meeting, provided updates on preparations and the way forward.

High-Level Segment

The High-Level Segment of the Conference will take place on 28 and 29 September 2023. It will provide a platform for inspiring broad and high-level stakeholder engagement, dialogue and commitment to achieve the sound management of chemicals and waste globally.

It will be chaired by H.E. Steffi Lemke, Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany. Important expected outcomes of the High-Level Segment include a High-Level Declaration, the new framework instrument for the period beyond 2020 (including global
strategic objective and targets), as well as stakeholder pledges, commitments and partnerships to implement the new framework instrument.

The first day of the High-Level Segment will feature three parallel thematic roundtables on important aspects of implementing the new framework instrument and the High-Level Declaration.

• Round Table 1 | Strengthening chemicals and waste management systems and capacities: Bridging implementation gaps through multi-sectoral and stakeholder collaboration
• Round Table 2 | Fostering solutions and sustainable chemistry innovation in economic and industry sectors along value chains: Mobilizing leadership
• Round Table 3 | Maximizing contributions of sound management of chemicals and waste in achieving sustainable development goals: Creating linkages and fostering action

The second day of the High-Level Segment will open with reporting back by representatives from the roundtable discussions. The session will proceed with the adoption of the Bonn Declaration.

Side Events

In the margins of ICCM5 and the HLS, side events displaying broad sectoral linkages to chemicals and waste management will be convened, strengthening the message of concerted multi-stakeholder action as the main requirement for addressing the planetary crisis of pollution. Side events will take place from 25 to 28 September 2023 for the duration of 90 minutes in parallel slots from 13:00-15:00 CEST and 18:00- 20:00 CEST.

To ensure a displace of  important sectoral interlinkages in the chemicals and waste agenda, side events will be clustered along the following thematic day:

• 25 September 2023: Climate, Biodiversity, Agriculture
• 26 September 2023: Health and Labour
• 27 September 2023: Human Rights, Science, Education
• 28 September 2023: Economics, Value Chains, Innovation

Geneva Environment Network @ ICCM5

Special Events

Besides regular sessions and side events, two special events will take place at ICCM5:

• Youth Forum | The Chemical and Waste Youth Platform will host a one-day Youth Forum  on 27 September.
  Sessions will include four thematic panel presentations, a moderated intergenerational dialogue between youth and key decision-makers, and the official launch of the “Global Youth Declaration on Chemicals and Waste.”
• ISC3 Investor Forum 2023 and Innovation Pitches | The German Agency for International  Cooperation (GIZ), Dechema and Leuphana will host the ISC3 Investor Forum 2023 and Innovation Pitches on 28 September from 9:30 to 18:00 CEST.

Exhibition Space

In the margins of ICCM5 and the HLS, an exhibition space will be available for stakeholders to showcase their work on sectoral linkages to chemicals and waste management. The program is envisaged to demonstrate the importance and potential of mainstreaming global chemicals and waste management for reaching Agenda 2030.

More information is available on the concept note.

Registration

Participation for non-funded delegates will be open until 31 August 2023  → Link for registration.

More information on entry regulations for Germany, transportation, accommodation, the venue, and the meeting is available on the Information Note to Participants. A video by the SAICM Secretariat offers support on Accreditation and VISA processes.

Links and Additional Information

• Developing a Global Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention
• Geneva addressing Hazardous Substances
• Road to OEWG 2 | Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution / SPP-CWP Series
• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) submission on essential elements for a possible ICCM5 High-level Declaration (HLD) on the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020