Meetings documents

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

(a) Election of officers;

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is expected to elect the officers of the Conference of the Parties who will serve during its fifteenth meeting and the officers of the Open ended Working Group of the Basel Convention. The present note provides information regarding these elections.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-13/1, on the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal acknowledged that the midterm evaluation report could not be prepared owing in part to the low level of responses to the request for information in support of the indicators listed in section V of the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021 (decision BC-10/2, annex).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-13/2, on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Conference of the Parties welcomed the ratification and acceptance by additional Parties of the Amendment to the Basel Convention set out in decision III/1, known as the Ban Amendment (UNEP/CHW.13/4), and called on Parties to ratify the Amendment.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraphs 9 and 10 of its decision BC-13/2, on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, the Conference of the Parties extended the mandate of the expert working group on environmentally sound management, adopted the work programme of the group set out in annex I to that decision, and requested it to develop and implement its work programme, subject to the availability of resources.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/5, the annexes to the present note set out the revised draft practical manuals on extended producer responsibility and financing systems for environmentally sound management.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision BC-13/3, on the Cartagena Declaration on the Prevention, Minimization and Recovery of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal invited the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to take into account the work of the Basel Convention on the environmentally sound management and prevention of waste generation in ensuring the full integration of the environmentally sound management of waste in the programme-wide strategies and policies of the United Nations Environment Programme. ...

Note by the Secretariat

A. Introduction

1. By decision BC-13/4, on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted a set of six technical guidelines, requested the Secretariat to disseminate the guidelines to Parties and others, and invited Parties and others to use them and to submit comments on their experience in doing so.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted, in decision BC 14/4 on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, on the basis of the draft technical guidelines contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/7/Add.1. The text of the technical guidelines, as adopted, is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with short-chain chlorinated paraffins.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with short-chain chlorinated paraffins.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, or tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether or decabromodiphenyl ether.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, or tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether or decabromodiphenyl ether.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes containing or contaminated with unintentionally produced polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls, pentachlorobenzene or polychlorinated naphthalenes or hexachlorobutadiene.

Note by the Secretariat

At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted, in decision BC 14/4 on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes containing or contaminated with unintentionally produced polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls, pentachlorobenzene, polychlorinated naphthalenes or hexachlorobutadiene, on the basis of the draft technical guidelines contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/7/Add.4. The text of the technical guidelines, as adopted, is set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexachlorobutadiene.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexachlorobutadiene.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/7, the annex to the present note sets out the suggestions for amendments to the technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electrical and electronic waste and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-waste under the Basel Convention adopted on an interim basis by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted, on an interim basis, in decision BC 14/5, the technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electrical and electronic waste and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-waste under the Basel Convention, on the basis of the draft technical guidelines contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/7/Add.6. The text of the technical guidelines, as adopted, is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

A. Introduction

1. In paragraph 2 of its decision BC-13/7, on cooperation with the World Customs Organization and its Harmonized System Committee, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to continue, under the guidance of the Open-ended Working Group, its cooperation with the Harmonized System Committee and relevant subcommittees of the World Customs Organization in order to facilitate the inclusion of wastes covered by the Basel Convention in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (hereinafter the Harmonized System) and to report on progress in that regard to the Open-ended Working Group at its eleventh meeting and the Conference of the Parties at its fourteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraphs 9 and 10 of its decision BC-13/2, on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, the Conference of the Parties extended the mandate of the expert working group on environmentally sound management, adopted the work programme of the group set out in annex I to that decision, and requested it to develop activities, subject to the availability of resources, to implement its work programme.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 2 of decision BC-13/17, on the work programme and operations of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2018–2019, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to prepare, for the consideration of the Open-ended Working Group at its eleventh meeting, a document containing options on how to move forward on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents, taking into account the note by the Secretariat on the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.13/9), the note by the Secretariat entitled “Control system: electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents” (UNEP/CHW/CC.12/11/Add.2) and the results of a further survey on the issue, in particular through the gathering of more recent information from Parties and others on existing electronic approaches.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its thirteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal included activities related to marine plastic litter and microplastics in the programme of work of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention for the biennium 2018–2019 set out in the annex to decision BC-13/17. The activities, subject to the availability of resources, were as follows:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 5 of decision BC-13/17, on the work programme and operations of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2018¬–2019, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to prepare, for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group at its eleventh meeting and subject to the availability of resources, a document compiling information on existing activities that address waste containing nanomaterials and identifying issues related to waste containing nanomaterials that may be relevant to work under the Convention and on options for further work that may be carried out under the Basel Convention related to waste containing nanomaterials within the scope of the Convention, avoiding duplication with activities relating to the matter in other forums.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By decision BC-13/9, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal approved the work programme of the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance for the biennium 2018–2019, set out in the annex to that decision.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/13, the annex to the present note sets out the draft revised guidance document on improving national reporting by Parties to the Basel Convention prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/13, the annex to the present note sets out the draft guide for the development of national legal frameworks to implement the Basel Convention prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted, in decision BC-14/15 on the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance, the guide for the development of national legal frameworks to implement the Basel Convention on the basis of the draft guidance contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/13/Add.2. The text of the guidance, as adopted, is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/13, the annex to the present note sets out the draft guidance to improve the implementation of paragraph 11 of Article 6 of the Basel Convention on insurance, bond and guarantee prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/13, the annex to the present note sets out the draft benchmark report aimed at facilitating reporting under paragraph 3 of Article 13 of the Basel Convention - examples reflecting Parties’ good practices, prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/CHW.14/13, the annex to the present note sets out the draft benchmark report aimed at facilitating reporting under paragraph 3 of Article 13 of the Basel Convention - examples reflecting Parties’ good practices, prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

A. Review of Annexes I, III and IV and related aspects of Annex IX to the Basel Convention

1. In its decision BC-13/2, on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Conference of Parties, among other things, established an expert working group on the review of Annexes I, III and IV and related aspects of Annex IX, with a mandate and terms of reference as set out in annex II to that decision.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-13/10, on national legislation, notifications, enforcement of the Convention and efforts to combat illegal traffic, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal invited Parties to share various kinds of information related to the fulfilment of their obligations under the Convention, including the texts of national legislation and other measures adopted by them to implement and enforce the Convention; information on best practices in preventing and combating illegal traffic; national definitions of hazardous wastes; and information on import or export restrictions or prohibitions.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section I of decisions BC-13/11, RC-8/9 and SC 8/15, on technical assistance, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants welcomed the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for the period 2018–2021 and requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 9 of section II of decision BC-13/11, on technical assistance, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to take the steps necessary to effect the signing, pursuant to decision VI/3, of a framework agreement with the Government of Slovakia to formalize the establishment of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Central and Eastern European Countries in Slovakia.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision BC-13/12, on the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, among other things, disbanded the working group of the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment and invited interested Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres to take the lead in the implementation of activities listed in the work programme set out in the concept note on a follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/31/Rev.1, annex II) and to propose, based on the work undertaken, further development of the concept at the regional or international level, as the need arises, and to report, through the Secretariat, on the implementation of the work to the eleventh meeting of the Open-ended Working Group.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, by its decision BC-13/17, adopted the work programme of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2018–2019 and decided that the eleventh and subsequent meetings of the Open-ended Working Group would be of four days’ duration, with two days of plenary sessions with simultaneous interpretation provided, plus one additional day of plenary sessions with interpretation provided subject to the availability of resources, to be applied flexibly by the Executive Secretary, and invited those in a position to do so to provide voluntary funding for any interpretation not included in the core budget.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the report on the implementation of the Plan (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/46–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/32–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/49, annex) and requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/19, RC-8/12 and SC-8/22, on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to start the work to implement the strategy of the joint clearing house mechanism (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/47-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/33-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/50), and to implement the activities of the workplan for the biennium 2018–2019 (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/48-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/39-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/43) in accordance with the programmes of work and budgets for the conventions for the biennium.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the report on the implementation of the Plan (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/46–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/32–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/49, annex) and requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited Parties to share their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms at the national level and lessons learned; and information on cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their meetings in 2017, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted identical decisions (decisions BC-13/22, RC-8/15, SC-8/25), entitled “From science to action”, by which, among other things, they took note of a draft road map, prepared by the Secretariat, for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in an informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the conventions (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/50–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/35–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/52).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-13/23, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

A. Introduction

1. The provisions pertaining to the proposal, adoption and entry into force of amendments to the annexes to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal are set out in Articles 17 and 18 of the Convention.

Introduction

1. At their 2017 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter, “the 2019 meetings”) in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019 in a format similar to that of the 2017 meetings, with joint sessions covering matters of relevance to at least two of the three conventions and separate sessions of the meetings of each of the three conferences of the Parties. They also decided that the 2019 meetings would not feature a high-level segment and that such segments would occur only at every second set of meetings of the conferences of the Parties.

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

1. Opening of the meeting.

1. The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 29 April to 10 May 2019, back-to-back with the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 29 April 2019, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade is expected to elect the officers of the Conference of the Parties who will serve during its tenth meeting. The present note provides information regarding these elections.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision RC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade considered and agreed on conclusions pertaining to three sub-items under the agenda item on the status of implementation of the Convention:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Chemical Review Committee held its thirteenth and fourteenth meetings in Rome from 23 to 26 October 2017 and from 11 to 13 September 2018, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.13/19 and UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.14/10, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its thirteenth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for acetochlor in the pesticide category from the European Union and 10 African Parties, namely Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger, Senegal and Togo, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/6, the Chemical Review Committee at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on acetochlor. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its thirteenth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for hexabromocyclododecane under the industrial chemicals category, submitted by Japan and Norway, together with the supporting documentation referred to therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of the Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-13/2 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that hexabromocyclododecane be listed in Annex III to the Convention as an industrial chemical and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/7, at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/2, the Chemical Review Committee adopted a draft decision guidance document on hexabromocyclododecane. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its fifth and thirteenth meetings reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for phorate in the pesticide category from Canada and Brazil, respectively, along with the supporting documentation referred to therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the notifications met the criteria of that Annex. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, by its decision CRC-13/4, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that phorate be listed in Annex III to the Convention as a pesticide and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/8, the Chemical Review Committee at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/3, adopted a draft decision guidance document on phorate. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eleventh meeting, in its decision CRC-11/4, recommended that carbosulfan be listed in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its twelfth meeting, by its decision CRC-12/2, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, adopted a draft decision guidance document for carbosulfan (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.12/3/Rev.1) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.12/INF/7/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/9/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/9, the Chemical Review Committee at its twelfth meeting, in its decision CRC-12/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on carbosulfan. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its first meeting recommended that chrysotile asbestos be listed in Annex III to the Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.1/28, annex I, section B). Subsequently, at its second meeting, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, agreed on the text of a draft decision guidance document for the chemical (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.2/20, para. 106 and annex I) and decided to forward it to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/10/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/10, the Chemical Review Committee at its second meeting agreed on the text of a draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting, in its decision CRC-9/4, recommended the listing of fenthion (ultra-low-volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) as a severely hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its tenth meeting, in its decision CRC-10/2, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, adopted a draft decision guidance document for fenthion (ULV formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/10/Add.2) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/INF/5), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/11/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/11, the Chemical Review Committee at its tenth meeting, in its decision CRC-10/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ultra-low-volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L). The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Articles 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting, in its decision CRC-8/7, recommended the listing of liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L, as severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Convention; adopted a draft decision guidance document for those formulations (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.8/9/Rev.1); and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.8/INF/10/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/12/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/12, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting, in its decision CRC-8/7, adopted a draft decision guidance document on liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision RC-8/8, on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, recalling the discussions during its eighth meeting and noting all the efforts and proposals to enhance the effectiveness of the Convention undertaken and put forward to date:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13, annex I to the present note sets out proposals to amend two provisions of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, submitted by a number of African countries in October 2016 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/16/Add.1): Article 16 on technical assistance and Article 22 on adoption and amendment of annexes. The proposals were submitted by Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the case of Article 16, and by Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia in the case of Article 22.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of Parties found to be in non compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/14), on 22 October 2018 the Secretariat received a proposal by Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jordan, Mali, Nigeria, Peru, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia for a new Annex VII to the Convention entitled “Procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention”.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section I of decisions BC-13/11, RC-8/9 and SC 8/15, on technical assistance, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants welcomed the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for the period 2018–2021 and requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In their decisions BC-13/16, RC-8/10 and SC-8/20, on international cooperation and coordination, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/19, RC-8/12 and SC-8/22, on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to start the work to implement the strategy of the joint clearing house mechanism (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/47-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/33-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/50), and to implement the activities of the workplan for the biennium 2018–2019 (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/48-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/39-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/43) in accordance with the programmes of work and budgets for the conventions for the biennium.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the report on the implementation of the Plan (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/46–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/32–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/49, annex) and requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited Parties to share their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms at the national level and lessons learned; and information on cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their meetings in 2017, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted identical decisions (decisions BC-13/22, RC-8/15, SC-8/25), entitled “From science to action”, by which, among other things, they took note of a draft road map, prepared by the Secretariat, for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in an informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the conventions (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/50–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/35–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/52).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision RC-8/16, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, among other things:

Introduction

1. At their 2017 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter, “the 2019 meetings”) in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019 in a format similar to that of the 2017 meetings, with joint sessions covering matters of relevance to at least two of the three conventions and separate sessions of the meetings of each of the three conferences of the Parties. They also decided that the 2019 meetings would not feature a high-level segment and that such segments would occur only at every second set of meetings of the conferences of the Parties.

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 29 April to 10 May 2019, back to back with the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. The meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 29 April 2019, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is expected to elect the officers of the Conference of the Parties who will serve during its tenth meeting. The present note provides information regarding these elections.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision SC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted the following decisions relevant to exemptions under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants: SC-8/1, on exemptions; SC-8/2, on DDT; SC-8/3, on polychlorinated biphenyls; SC-8/4, on the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Convention; SC-8/5, on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF); SC-8/10, on the listing of decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE); SC-8/11, on the listing of short-chain chlorinated paraffins; SC-8/13, on the review of information related to specific exemptions for decabromodiphenyl ether; and SC-8/14, on the review of information related to specific exemptions for short-chain chlorinated paraffins.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to paragraph 6 of part II of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and in line with the process for the reporting on and assessment and evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control set out in annex I to decision SC-3/2, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention undertakes an evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control at each of its ordinary meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants with a specific exemption for the use of PCB in articles in accordance with the provisions of part II of Annex A, which may be exercised by all Parties to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/6, the annex to the present note sets out recommendations on the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) prepared by the small intersessional working group on PCB on the basis of its report on progress towards the elimination of PCB set out in the annex to document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/10.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants with a specific exemption for the use of PCB in articles in accordance with the provisions of part II of Annex A, which may be exercised by all Parties to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision SC-7/6, on evaluation of the continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Conference of the Parties, among other things, concluded that there was a continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3 and decided to review the effectiveness of this procedure at its ninth meeting. In that same decision, the Secretariat was requested to prepare a report on the effectiveness of this procedure, based on Party reports submitted pursuant to Article 15, certifications from exporting Parties pursuant to paragraph 2 (b) (iii) of Article 3 and other relevant information, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decision SC-8/6, on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 6 of its decision SC-8/7, on measures to reduce or eliminate releases from wastes, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants invited the appropriate bodies of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal to further update, if need be, the Basel Convention general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, and to update or develop new specific technical guidelines under the Basel Convention with regard to decabromodiphenyl ether and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (listed in Annex A to the Convention by decisions SC-8/10 and SC-8/11, respectively) and hexachlorobutadiene (listed in Annex C to the Convention by decision SC-8/12).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, each Party is required to develop and endeavour to implement a plan for the implementation of its obligations under the Convention and transmit its implementation plan to the Conference of the Parties within two years of the date on which the Convention enters into force for it.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Since the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee has held its thirteenth and fourteenth meetings in Rome, from 17 to 20 October 2017 and from 17 to 21 September 2018, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.13/7 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.14/6, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its twelfth meeting, by its decision POPRC-12/1, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for dicofol (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.12/11/Add.1) and decided that dicofol was likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects such that global action was warranted.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its twelfth meeting, by its decision POPRC-12/2, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.12/11/Add.2) and decided, in accordance with paragraph 7 (a) of Article 8 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds were likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects such that global action was warranted.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. On 27 July 2018, the Secretariat received from the Russian Federation proposals to amend Article 8 of and Annex D to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The proposals are set out in annex I to the present note, without formal editing. For the convenience of the Parties, annex II to the present note shows in tracked changes the proposed amendments to the current text of Article 8 and Annex D. An explanatory note, in English only, provided by the Russian Federation, is set out in document UNEP/POPS /COP.9/INF/9.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section I of decisions BC-13/11, RC-8/9 and SC 8/15, on technical assistance, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants welcomed the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for the period 2018–2021 and requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 9, section II, of decision SC-8/15 on technical assistance, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres to submit to the Secretariat for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decision SC-1/11, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted a memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention and the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), including provisions, among others, on guidance from the Conference of the Parties (discussed in section II A below); reporting (discussed in section II B below); monitoring and evaluation (discussed in section II C below); and cooperation between secretariats and reciprocal representation (discussed in section II D below, together with transmission of information). In addition, the Conference of the Parties at each of its previous meetings has adopted decisions setting forth procedures for the assessment of the funding needed by developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to implement the Convention (discussed in section II E below).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 2 of its decision SC-8/17, on reporting, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants encouraged Parties to use the electronic reporting system when submitting their fourth national reports pursuant to Article 15 of the Convention, which, in accordance with decision SC-7/23, were to be submitted to the Secretariat by 31 August 2018 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By decision SC-6/22, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted the framework for effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention pursuant to Article 16. In decision SC-7/24, the Conference of the Parties elected the members of the effectiveness evaluation committee and requested it to perform its tasks according to the framework for effectiveness evaluation and to report to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/20, the annex to the present note sets out the framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants pursuant to Article 16, as revised by the Secretariat in response to decision SC-8/18 of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The revised framework is presented without formal editing.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 5 of decision SC-8/19 on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of Parties found to be in non-compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In their decisions BC-13/16, RC-8/10 and SC-8/20, on international cooperation and coordination, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/19, RC-8/12 and SC-8/22, on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to start the work to implement the strategy of the joint clearing house mechanism (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/47-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/33-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/50), and to implement the activities of the workplan for the biennium 2018–2019 (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/48-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/39-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/43) in accordance with the programmes of work and budgets for the conventions for the biennium.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the report on the implementation of the Plan (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/46–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/32–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/49, annex) and requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited Parties to share their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms at the national level and lessons learned; and information on cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their meetings in 2017, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted identical decisions (decisions BC-13/22, RC-8/15, SC-8/25), entitled “From science to action”, by which, among other things, they took note of a draft road map, prepared by the Secretariat, for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in an informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the conventions (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/50–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/35–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/52).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision SC-8/26, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things:

Introduction

1. At their 2017 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter, “the 2019 meetings”) in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019 in a format similar to that of the 2017 meetings, with joint sessions covering matters of relevance to at least two of the three conventions and separate sessions of the meetings of each of the three conferences of the Parties. They also decided that the 2019 meetings would not feature a high-level segment and that such segments would occur only at every second set of meetings of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note sets out a proposal for arrangements for the conduct of, and thereby aims to assist participants in preparing for, the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work of the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (annex I) and a list of possible contact and other groups (annex II). The tentative schedule of work, which was agreed to by the bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions at their joint meeting on 15 and 16 November 2018, is provisional and could be subject to changes before or during the two weeks of the meetings. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/CHW.14/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the Parties present at the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, the Secretariat has prepared a table listing those States and political or regional economic integration organizations that have deposited with the depositary their relevant instruments expressing their consent to be bound by these conventions, as at 17 January 2019. This table is attached as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on strategic framework (UNEP/CHW.14/3), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft compilation of information related to the indicators to be used for the preparation of the final evaluation of the strategic framework, prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on the strategic framework, and taking into account discussions at the eleventh meeting of the Open-ended Working Group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on development of guidelines for environmentally sound management (UNEP/CHW.14/5), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft practical manual for stakeholders to ensure that notifications of transboundary movements meet environmentally sound management requirements prepared by the expert working group on environmentally sound management. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on development of guidelines for environmentally sound management (UNEP/CHW.14/5), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft guidance to assist Parties in developing efficient strategies for achieving recycling and recovery of hazardous and other wastes prepared by the expert working group on environmentally sound management. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on development of guidelines for environmentally sound management (UNEP/CHW.14/5), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft guidance on how to address the environmentally sound management of wastes in the informal sector. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.14/7), the annexes to the present note set out the compilation of comments received from Parties and others on the draft new and updated technical guidelines as per paragraphs 5 and 6 of decision OEWG-11/3. Comments were received from the European Union and its Member States, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Bromine Science Environmental Forum (BSEF), Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP), Research and Education Center for Developent (CREPD), European Electronics Recyclers Association (EERA), European HBCD Industry Working Group (HBCD IG), Hazardous Waste Europe and IPEN.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.14/7), the annex to the present note sets out the draft analysis of candidate persistent organic chemicals recommended for listing by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee and of the need to update or develop technical guidelines. The draft analysis was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.14/7), Argentina and Canada, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on specially engineered landfill and incineration on land, updated the technical guidelines on incineration on land (D10), as set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.14/7), Argentina and Canada, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on specially engineered landfill and incineration on land, updated the technical guidelines on specially engineered landfill (D5), as set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.14/7), the annexes to the present note set out the compilation of comments received from Parties and others on the draft updated technical guidelines on specially engineered landfill (D5) (Annex I) and on incineration on land (D10) (Annex II) as per paragraphs 4 and 5 of decision OEWG-11/5. Comments were received from El Salvador, the European Union and its Member States and from Hazardous Waste Europe.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (UNEP/CHW.14/8), a report on the progress in the work of the Harmonized System Committee and the Harmonized System Review Subcommittee regarding the classification of types of wastes listed under the Basel Convention, in particular electrical and electronic waste, is set out in annex I to the present note. Annex II sets out the revised list of types of wastes submitted by Parties in response to decision BC 10/10, as well as information received from Parties on the types of wastes in the revised list for which it would be useful to propose to the World Customs Organization to introduce codes in the Harmonized System. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on national reporting (UNEP/CHW.14/9), the annex to the present note sets out a table listing reporting and non-reporting Parties for the years 2015 and 2016. As at 30 November 2018, 98 Parties (54 per cent) had reported for the years 2015 and 2016. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on marine plastic litter and microplastics (UNEP/CHW.14/11), annexes I and II to the present note set out draft terms of reference for the Basel Convention Partnership on Plastic Wastes and a draft workplan for the working group of the Partnership on Plastic Wastes for the biennium 2020-2021, respectively. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

At its fourteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, in its decision BC-14/13, established a working group of the Basel Convention Partnership on Plastic Waste, adopted the terms of reference for the Partnership and requested the working group to implement the workplan for the biennium 20202021. The terms of reference and the workplan as referenced in decision BC-14/13 are set out in annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on proposals to amend Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.14/27), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of the comments received from Parties about the proposed amendments. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on proposals to amend Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.14/27), the annex to the present note sets out an explanatory note submitted by the Government of Norway on its proposals to amend Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention, in the six official languages of the United Nations. The submission is reproduced as received. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on waste containing nanomaterials (UNEP/CHW.14/12), comments received from Parties and others on the report on issues related to waste containing nanomaterials and options for further work under the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.11/INF/24), are set out in the annexes to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.14/13), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the evaluation of the amendment to paragraph 9 (c) of the terms of reference of the Mechanism for promoting implementation and compliance with the Basel Convention prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.14/13), the annexes to the present note set out the classification of Parties’ compliance performance with their national reporting obligation for 2014 and 2015 (status as at 15 June 2018) as well as a report on the status of reporting and how to improve the timeliness and completeness of reporting, prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.14/13), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the review of the operation of the implementation fund prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW.14/14), the annexes to the present note set out the recommendations for revisions to Annex IV and Annex IX (B1110) prepared by the expert working group on the review of the Annexes (annex I), alongside information on the work of the group since the eleventh meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (annex II). The recommendations for revisions to Annex IV and Annex IX (B1110) include corrections made to the version of the recommendations for revisions to Annex IV and Annex IX (B1110) made available to Parties and observers on 8 January 2019, in particular with respect to the description of operations D20, D21, R10 and R17. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW.14/14), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of the comments received from Parties and others on the recommendations for revisions to Annex IV and Annex IX (B1110) prepared by the expert working group on the review of the Annexes. Comments received are also available on the website of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.14/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note contains the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2018–2021 in the biennium 2018–2019, including an overview of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions’ global, regional and national capacity-building and training activities undertaken or planned by the Secretariat from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, subject to the availability of financial resources. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.14/13), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on the implementation of paragraph 4 of article 6 of the Basel Convention on transit transboundary movements prepared by the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.14/16–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note sets out a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.14/17) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/17), the annexes to the present note contain the draft evaluation report on the performance and sustainability of the 13 Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (BCRCs) and the 15 Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres (SCRCs) prepared by the Secretariat. Annex I sets out a summary of the assessment of the performance and sustainability of the regional centres under the Basel and Stockholm conventions. Annex II sets out a summary of the procurement capacity assessment of the Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres. Annex III contains the status of the submission of workplans and activity reports by the centres. Annex IV contains the individual draft evaluation reports on the performance and sustainability of the Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres based on the activity reports for the period 20152018. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.14/17) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/17), the annexes to the present note set out reports by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres, including a compilation of the technology transfer activities reported by the regional centre.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in annex IV to the note by the Secretariat on the report on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres, the annex to the present note sets out a document prepared by the marine litter topic group lead by the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Spain as part of its activities under the Convention on the impact of plastic waste, marine plastic litter, microplastics and measures for their prevention and environmentally sound management encouraged by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, in paragraph 14 of decision BC-13/11 and paragraph 12 of decision SC-8/5, respectively. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in part I of the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.14/18), annexes I to IV to the present note were prepared by the interim group on a follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment led by the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres in Argentina, Senegal, Slovakia and South Africa, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its fourteenth meeting. Annex I sets out a concept note, including mechanisms for providing sustainable and predictable financial support for the follow-up partnership; annex II sets out terms of reference for the follow-up partnership; annex III sets out a work programme of the follow up partnership for the biennium 20202021; and annex IV lists recommendations for the establishment of the follow-up partnership.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme, Section B on the Environmental Network for Optimizing Regulatory Compliance on Illegal Traffic (UNEP/CHW.14/18), the annex to the present note sets out a progress report by the chair of the Network, Ms. Irma Gurguliani (Georgia). The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.14/18), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft overall guidance document on the environmentally sound management of household waste prepared by the household waste partnership working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.14/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report on evaluating past and ongoing partnerships and sets out recommendations on opportunities to further develop partnerships under the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a report by the Secretariat on the implementation of the integrated approach to financing sound management of chemicals and wastes including its three mutually reinforcing components: mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note sets out a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on activities of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing detailed information on the activities undertaken by the Secretariat on cooperation and coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, and non-governmental organizations and networks from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. The activities described in the report are either specific to one Convention or relevant to two or three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report submitted by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing updates on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, including activities relevant to the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, submitted by the secretariat of the Minamata Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.14/21-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/17-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/24), the annex to the present note sets out the draft workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism for the biennium 2020-2021. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on from science to action (UNEP/CHW.14/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/27), the annex to the present note sets out a draft road map on from science to action prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on further areas, including areas common to two or three of the conventions, in which legal clarity could be improved. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annexes to the present note set out the following information:

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2020−2021: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.14/INF/43-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/36-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/45).

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-14/29, RC-9/17, SC-9/27 on the programmes of work and budgets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for the biennium 2020–2021, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions approved their respective programme budgets, on the basis of the budget activity fact sheets contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/INF/44-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/37-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/46.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision BC-10/28, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted financial rules for the operation of the Conference of the Parties, its subsidiary bodies and the Secretariat. Paragraph 1 of rule 3, which deals with the budget, requires the Executive Secretary to dispatch information on actual income and expenditure for each year of the previous biennium and estimates of actual expenditures in the current biennium, to all Parties to the Convention at least 90 days before the opening of the meeting of the Conference of the Parties at which the budget for a given biennium is to be adopted.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annexes to the present note contain information on pledges and contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received in the biennium 20182019 as at 3 April 2019. Annex I contains an overview of such pledges and contributions received from Parties. Annex II contains information on such pledges and contributions for each programme of work activity in relation to the approved budgets for the biennium 2018–2019. Annex III contains more detailed information on pledges and contributions received by Party. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated, and include programme support costs.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on annotations to the provisional agendas (UNEP/CHW.14/1/Add.1, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/1/Add.1 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/1/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out Guidelines on preventing and addressing all forms of harassment at meetings of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), the annex to the present note sets out a note from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on cooperation between the secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The annex is reproduced as received from the Executive Director.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the March 2018 United Nations Environment Programme flexible template of options for the provision of secretariat services. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the November 2016 United Nations Environment Programme delegation of authority policy and framework for the management and administration of multilateral environmental agreement secretariats. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27 on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited the Executive Secretary to provide any secretariat support that may be requested and fully funded by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.14/13), the annex to the present note sets out a list of past and present Committee members identifying the 10 members whose terms will expire at the close of the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on marine plastic litter and microplastics (UNEP/CHW.14/11), information on the outcome of the first and second meetings of the open-ended ad hoc expert group on marine litter and microplastics and the resolutions adopted at the first, second, third and fourth sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly related to marine plastic litter and microplastics is available via the following links:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report submitted by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on gender mainstreaming (UNEP/CHW.14/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/18–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/25), the annex to the present note provides a report on gender-related activities implemented by the Secretariat, as outlined in the updated Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The updated plan includes indicators for monitoring progress so as to enable the conferences of the Parties to follow up on the plan’s implementation. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In section III of decision BC-13/11, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention welcomed the active engagement of the Joint United Nations Environment Programme/Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Environment Unit (JEU) with regard to emergency situations and encouraged its continued cooperation with the Secretariat. In the same decision, the Conference requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, and invited the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres, to continue to carry out capacity building activities with relevant partners, such as the JEU, relevant to the prevention of incidents and enhancing the preparedness of countries to deal with emergencies caused by transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes and their disposal. The Secretariat was also requested to continue its cooperation and collaboration with the JEU.

Note by the Secretariat

1. Meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall take place at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultations with the Parties. In the case of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the seat of the Secretariat is at Geneva, Switzerland. In the case of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the seats of the Secretariat are at Geneva, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in UNEP/CHW.14/INF/57–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/46–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/60, Governments wishing to submit offers to host the 2021 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, were encouraged to submit such offers to the Secretariat by 29 March 2019.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a list of bodies and agencies that had not previously been admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and that are requesting admission to participate in such meetings as observers in accordance with rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, as at 17 April 2019. A list of bodies and agencies that have been previously admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties is available on the Basel Convention website. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a provisional list of meeting documents for the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention. The documents listed in the annex are grouped according to the items on the provisional agenda for the meeting to which they pertain. Documents that have three document symbols are joint documents that are submitted for consideration by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note sets out a proposal for arrangements for the conduct of, and thereby aims to assist participants in preparing for, the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work of the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (annex I) and a list of possible contact and other groups (annex II). The tentative schedule of work, which was agreed to by the bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions at their joint meeting on 15 and 16 November 2018, is provisional and could be subject to changes before or during the two weeks of the meetings. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/CHW.14/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The curricula vitae of the members of the Chemical Review Committee with terms of office from 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2024 appointed by decision RC-9/2 are set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the Parties present at the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, the Secretariat has prepared a table listing those States and political or regional economic integration organizations that have deposited with the depositary their relevant instruments expressing their consent to be bound by these conventions, as at 17 January 2019. This table is attached as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note provides information relating to the following aspects of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, covering the period from 1 November 2016 to 31 October 2018:

Note by the Secretariat

1. At the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, Parties requested the Secretariat to identify difficulties relating to the submission of import responses stemming from Parties employing different definitions of pesticides and the implications resulting from the use of those definitions by Parties with regard to the implementation of the Convention. In response, the Secretariat carried out a survey on the use of the various definitions, and presented the results of the survey (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/7) to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting. During the deliberations on the item at its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties decided that the Secretariat in undertaking its work take into account the suggestions from a group of Parties to:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in section II.C on exchanging information on exports and export notifications of the note by the Secretariat on the status of implementation of the Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/4), the Secretariat carried out a survey, from 12 October to 31 December 2017, on the implementation of paragraph 2 of Article 11 and Articles 12 and 14 of the Rotterdam Convention to obtain information from Parties pertaining to the calendar year 2016 (from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016). The annex to the present note sets out the responses received from Parties to the questionnaire. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/5), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties relating to the listing of chemicals and severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention recommended by the Chemical Review Committee. The comments were submitted by Albania, the European Union, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Russian Federation and Serbia. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of acetochlor in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-13/1 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its thirteenth meeting and decision CRC-14/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on acetochlor and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its fourteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for acetochlor, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/6/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of hexabromocyclododecane in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-13/2 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its thirteenth meeting and decision CRC-14/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on hexabromocyclododecane and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its fourteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for hexabromocyclododecane, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/7/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of phorate in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC 13/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its thirteenth meeting, the rationale prepared by the Committee at its fifth meeting and decision CRC-14/3 adopting the draft decision guidance document on phorate and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its fourteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for phorate, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/8/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27 on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited the Executive Secretary to provide any secretariat support that may be requested and fully funded by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), the annex to the present note sets out an analysis of the operational implications of the proposals to amend the Convention, including those submitted to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and the proposals for a voluntary prior informed consent procedure. The analysis builds on the preliminary information contained in the report on legal and operational implications of priority actions to enhance the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/EFF.1/2), and takes into account the comments received to date and the discussions at the meeting of the intersessional working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention held from 4 to 6 June 2018 in Riga, Latvia). The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), at its meeting from 4 to 6 June 2018 in Riga, Latvia, the intersessional working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention recommended that the Secretariat identify and propose, if appropriate, for consideration at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, recommendations for improving participation, openness, and transparency in the Chemical Review Committee process, with the aim of: increasing the engagement of the Committee, both its members and its observers; furthering the understanding of the criteria of the Convention and the necessary review required by Article 5; and facilitating the engagement of all Parties (recommendation 1.1.4).

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in paragraph 12 of note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectives of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), the Secretariat has explored new and innovative ways of improving information exchange under the Rotterdam Convention and has developed a proposal for consideration by the Conference of the Parties, which is set out in the annex to present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), at its meeting from 4 to 6 June 2018 in Riga, Latvia, the intersessional working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention recommended that the Secretariat identify ways to facilitate effective and useful dissemination of the information, tools and guidance and use in capacity-building and technical assistance activities. In addition, the Secretariat was requested to identify gaps, taking into account existing information and guidance, and provide assistance, upon request, subject to the availability of funding (recommendation 1.3.3).

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), the annexes to the present note provide information pertaining to the assignment of customs codes to substances listed under the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and activities undertaken towards that end by the Secretariat as part of its cooperation with the World Customs Organization. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), at its meeting from 4 to 6 June 2018 in Riga, Latvia, the intersessional working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention recommended that the Secretariat compile information on effectiveness evaluation practices under other chemicals and wastes conventions, taking into account the specificities of the Rotterdam Convention, and prepare options for a framework on the assessment of the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention for consideration at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (recommendation 1.4.1).

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13), at its meeting from 4 to 6 June 2018 in Riga, Latvia, the intersessional working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention recommended that the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting invite increased cooperation with other forums engaged in chemicals management to collaborate in addressing issues that support implementation of the Convention (recommendation 2.3.4).

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.14/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note contains the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2018–2021 in the biennium 2018–2019, including an overview of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions’ global, regional and national capacity-building and training activities undertaken or planned by the Secretariat from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, subject to the availability of financial resources. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the proposal to add a new Annex VII on procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/14/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of the comments received from Parties relating to the proposed new Annex VII. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.14/16–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note sets out a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a report by the Secretariat on the implementation of the integrated approach to financing sound management of chemicals and wastes including its three mutually reinforcing components: mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note sets out a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on activities of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing detailed information on the activities undertaken by the Secretariat on cooperation and coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, and non-governmental organizations and networks from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. The activities described in the report are either specific to one Convention or relevant to two or three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report submitted by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing updates on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, including activities relevant to the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, submitted by the secretariat of the Minamata Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.14/21-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/17-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/24), the annex to the present note sets out the draft workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism for the biennium 2020-2021. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annexes to the present note set out the following information:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on further areas, including areas common to two or three of the conventions, in which legal clarity could be improved. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on from science to action (UNEP/CHW.14/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/27), the annex to the present note sets out a draft road map on from science to action prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2020−2021: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.14/INF/43-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/36-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/45).

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-14/29, RC-9/17, SC-9/27 on the programmes of work and budgets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for the biennium 2020–2021, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions approved their respective programme budgets, on the basis of the budget activity fact sheets contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/INF/44-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/37-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/46.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision RC-5/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted financial rules for the operation of the Conference of the Parties, its subsidiary bodies and the Secretariat. Paragraph 1 of rule 3, which deals with the budget, requires the executive secretaries to dispatch information on actual income and expenditure for each year of the previous biennium and estimates of actual expenditures in the current biennium, to all Parties to the Convention at least 90 days before the opening of the meeting of the Conference of the Parties at which the budget for a given biennium is to be adopted.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annexes to the present note contain information on pledges and contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received in the biennium 20182019 as at 3 April 2019. Annex I contains an overview of such pledges and contributions received from Parties. Annex II contains information on such pledges and contributions for each programme of work activity in relation to the approved budgets for the biennium 2018-2019. Annex III contains more detailed information on pledges and contributions received by Party. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated, and include programme support costs.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), the annex to the present note sets out a note from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on cooperation between the secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The annex is reproduced as received from the Executive Director.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention: proposal to add a new Annex VII on procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/14/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out an explanatory note submitted by the Parties proposing to add a new Annex VII on procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention, in the six official languages of the United Nations. The submission is reproduced as received. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the March 2018 United Nations Environment Programme flexible template of options for the provision of secretariat services. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the November 2016 United Nations Environment Programme delegation of authority policy and framework for the management and administration of multilateral environmental agreement secretariats. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report submitted by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on gender mainstreaming (UNEP/CHW.14/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/18–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/25), the annex to the present note provides a report on gender-related activities implemented by the Secretariat, as outlined in the updated Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The updated plan includes indicators for monitoring progress so as to enable the conferences of the Parties to follow up on the plan’s implementation. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. Meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall take place at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultations with the Parties. In the case of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the seat of the Secretariat is at Geneva, Switzerland. In the case of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the seats of the Secretariat are at Geneva, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in UNEP/CHW.14/INF/57–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/46–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/60, Governments wishing to submit offers to host the 2021 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, were encouraged to submit such offers to the Secretariat by 29 March 2019.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a list of bodies and agencies that had not previously been admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and that are requesting admission to participate in such meetings as observers in accordance with rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, as at 17 April 2019. A list of bodies and agencies that have been previously admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties is available on the Rotterdam Convention website. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on annotations to the provisional agendas (UNEP/CHW.14/1/Add.1, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/1/Add.1 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/1/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out Guidelines on preventing and addressing all forms of harassment at meetings of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a provisional list of meeting documents for the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention. The documents listed in the annex are grouped according to the items on the provisional agenda for the meeting to which they pertain. Documents that have three document symbols are joint documents that are submitted for consideration by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/5/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out the curriculum vitae of Mr. Martin Lacroix, who has been designated by Canada to replace Mr. Jeffery Goodman as a member of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.