Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

BRS NEWSLETTER

Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment

December/January 2016/17 - No. 9

Welcome

Welcome to this bumper end-of-year edition! Our preparations for the triple COPs in April 2017 continue to intensify, and here we bring you those plus a wealth of news related to the three conventions, plus an exploration of the linkages between hazardous chemicals and trade. Happy new (COPs) year to all our partners, stakeholders, donors, readers, and followers!

 

News
Basel national reporting made easier for parties

Basel national reporting made easier for parties

The Electronic Reporting System allows parties easy access, including through the new account recovery tool, for submitting their national reports, due 31 December 2016.

Sierra Leone becomes the newest, and 185th, Party to the Basel Convention

Sierra Leone becomes the newest, and 185th, Party to the Basel Convention

Sierra Leone has acceded to the Basel Convention, depositing instruments of accession to both the Basel and Rotterdam Conventions on 1 November 2016, entering into force on 30 January 2017.

Proposals to amend the Rotterdam Convention to be considered at COP-8

Proposals to amend the Rotterdam Convention to be considered at COP-8

Two letters have been sent in October to inform Parties 6 months in advance of COP-8 of these proposals.

Sierra Leone accedes to the Rotterdam Convention, becoming the 156th Party

Sierra Leone accedes to the Rotterdam Convention, becoming the 156th Party

Sierra Leone has acceded to the Rotterdam Convention, depositing instruments of accession to both the Rotterdam and Basel Conventions on 1 November 2016, entering into force on 30 January 2017.

Stockholm Convention effectiveness evaluated: concentrations decreasing for legacy & some newly-listed POPs

Stockholm Convention effectiveness evaluated: concentrations decreasing for legacy & some newly-listed POPs

The 2nd meeting of the effectiveness evaluation committee finds the Convention an effective framework for regulating POPs, but key implementation challenges remain.

Croatia transmits revised and updated NIP

Croatia transmits revised and updated NIP

Addressing amendments made at the Stockholm Convention COP-4, COP-5 and COP-6, Croatia has transmitted its revised and updated National Implementation Plan.

Dates agreed for high-level segment of 2017 Triple COPs

Dates agreed for high-level segment of 2017 Triple COPs

The high-level segment of the next Triple COPs is scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, 4 May and the morning of Friday, 5 May 2017.

Sustainability begins at home for BRS and its housekeeping

Sustainability begins at home for BRS and its housekeeping

The Secretariat is proud to be climate neutral for 2015, thanks to the signature of an agreement with UNFCCC to offset its CO2 emissions.

 

Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance

Upcoming webinars

 

Upcoming workshops

 

Emerging issues
Rolph Payet: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead

Rolph Payet: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, I realize it is once again time to look back and take stock of our accomplishments in the BRS Secretariat this year. Despite many challenges, 2016 has been a year full of activity and excitement in our Secretariat.

 

Forthcoming meetings
Environmentally sound management of waste the focus for experts’ meeting in Belgium

Environmentally sound management of waste the focus for experts’ meeting in Belgium

Funded by Germany and Japan, and hosted by the Public Waste Agency for Flanders, this meeting focuses on pilot projects and on guidance manuals on prevention, extended producer responsibility, and financing.

 

Postcard from Tunis
The view from Tunis

The view from Tunis

Greetings from FAO’s Sub-Regional office in Tunis. Eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition are big challenges here as water scarcity – due in large part to climate change – is a persistent problem. The last twelve months have, however, seen a number of significant developments which give me reason to feel hopeful for nations in the Near East and North Africa.

 

Synergies in the spotlight
BRS briefs World Trade Organisation on hazardous chemicals and wastes

BRS briefs World Trade Organisation on hazardous chemicals and wastes

E-waste and the forthcoming Triple COPs were the subject of discussions at the WTO Committee on Trade & Environment, on 14-15 November 2016, in Geneva.

 

Our Regional Centres
Focus on Latin America: the work of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions Regional Centre in Montevideo, Uruguay

Focus on Latin America: the work of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions Regional Centre in Montevideo, Uruguay

Read our interview with Gabriela Medina to understand how regional efforts help implement the Basel and Stockholm conventions.

 

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