Meetings documents

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal will be held in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025, back to back with the twelfth 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 twelfth 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, 28 April 2025, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its seventeenth 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 eighteenth meeting and the officers of the Open ended Working Group of the Basel Convention who will serve during the fifteenth meeting of the Working Group.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/1, on the strategic framework, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the strategic framework (UNEP/CHW.17/3), the annex to the present note sets out the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal for 2025–2031 as prepared by the small intersessional working group for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/2, on work to improve the prior informed consent procedure, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants

1. This section of the note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/3, on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), 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 which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), 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 or Dechlorane Plus which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), 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 the pesticides aldrin, alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, beta hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, chlordecone, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, lindane, methoxychlor, mirex, pentachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol and its salts, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, technical endosulfan and its related isomers or toxaphene or with hexachlorobenzene as an industrial chemical, which were prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

2. The changes made to the technical guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties, in its decision BC-15/6, during its fifteenth meeting in June 2022, have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. 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 guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), 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 UV-328 which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/8, on cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (hereinafter the Harmonized System), adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/9, on national reporting, and decision BC-16/14, on the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance, which were adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/10, on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/11, on further consideration of plastic waste, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/12, on updating existing guidance, technical guidelines and fact sheets in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of the e-waste amendments, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the annex to the present note sets out a revised overview of the draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC-16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of the amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/13, on waste containing nanomaterials, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

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.17/12), the annex to the present note sets out the guidance on how individual Parties can integrate actions to address their needs under the Basel Convention into their United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, which was developed by the Committee for consideration and possible adoption by the Conference of the Parties.
The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/14, on the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/15, on providing further legal clarity, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW.17/13), the annex to the present note sets out the revised amendment proposals on Annex IV to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal developed by the expert working group on the review of annexes for consideration and possible adoption by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/16, on national legislation, notifications, enforcement of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and efforts to combat illegal traffic, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Subsequent to the consideration by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting of a proposal from the Russian Federation to amend paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Convention, the Secretariat received a revised proposal from the Russian Federation to amend paragraph 2 of Article 6. The revised proposal was accompanied by an explanatory note. The revised proposal is reproduced in the annex to the present note, without formal editing. The explanatory note, in English, is set out in document UNEP/CHW.17/INF/39, along with tracked changes to paragraph 2 of Article 6 reflecting the revised proposed amendment, for the convenience of Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/17, RC-11/6 and SC-11/13, on technical assistance, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established in section II, on regional centres under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, of decisions BC-16/17 and SC-11/13, on technical assistance, adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel and Stockholm conventions at their sixteenth and eleventh meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision BC-16/18, on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its sixteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the draft programme of work of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste (PACE II) for the biennium 2026–2027 is set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the draft workplan of the working group of the Household Waste Partnership for the biennium 2026‒2027 is set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the draft workplan of the working group of the Partnership on Plastic Waste for the biennium 2026‒2027 is set out in the annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/19, RC-11/7 and SC-11/15, on a framework for developing a resource mobilization strategy, adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its seventeenth 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 adopt the work programme of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention for the biennium 2026–2027.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/21, RC-11/8 and SC-11/20, on cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/22, RC-11/9 and SC-11/21, on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/23, RC-11/10 and SC-11/22, on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange, of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, which were adopted by 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 in 2017, as well as the request from the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2023 for the Secretariat to report on the implementation of the Gender Action Plan to the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2025.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/24, RC-11/11 and SC-11/23, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decisions BC-16/25, RC-11/12 and SC-11/24 entitled “From science to action”, which were adopted by 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 at their meetings in 2023.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the budget scenarios requested in decisions BC-16/28, (para. 26), RC-11/15 (para. 29) and SC-11/27 (para. 28), on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Meetings of 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 are to be held at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless the conferences of the Parties decide otherwise or other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultation with the Parties.

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The twelfth 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 in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025, back to back with the seventeenth 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 twelfth 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, 28 April 2025, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its twelfth 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 thirteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, in 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 the sentence had not been agreed on and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information on the implementation of the mandate established by decision RC-11/1, on the status of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Since the report provided to the eleventh 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 Chemical Review Committee has held its nineteenth meeting, in Rome, from 3 to 6 October 2023, and its twentieth meeting, in Rome, from 17 to 20 September 2024.

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, in decision CRC-13/1, recommended that acetochlor be listed in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its fourteenth meeting, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Committee, by decision CRC-14/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on acetochlor (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.14/3/Rev.1) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.14/INF/6/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/6/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/6, the Chemical Review Committee, at its fourteenth meeting, by 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 consideration by 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 annex 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 decision CRC-11/4, recommended that carbosulfan be listed in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its twelfth meeting, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Committee, by decision CRC-12/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on 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 to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/7/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Draft decision guidance document

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/7, the Chemical Review Committee, at its twelfth meeting, by 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 consideration by 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 annex 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 nineteenth meeting, reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for chlorpyrifos in the pesticides category submitted by the European Union, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, 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 notifications had met the criteria specified in Annex II. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, in decision CRC-19/3, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention that chlorpyrifos (CAS No. 2921-88-2) 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.12/8, the Chemical Review Committee, at its twentieth meeting, by decision CRC-20/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on chlorpyrifos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by 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 annex 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, sect. 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 on chrysotile asbestos (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.2/20, para. 106 and annex I) and decided to forward it to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/9/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/9, 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 consideration by 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 annex 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 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 accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Committee, by decision CRC-10/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ULV formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/3) 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 to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/10/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Draft decision guidance document

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/10, the Chemical Review Committee, at its tenth meeting, by decision CRC-10/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ultra low volume 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 consideration by 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 annex 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 seventeenth meeting, in decision CRC-17/1, recommended that iprodione be listed in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its eighteenth meeting, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Committee, by decision CRC 18/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on iprodione (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.18/3/Rev.1) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.18/INF/4/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/11/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/11, the Chemical Review Committee, at its eighteenth meeting, by decision CRC-18/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on iprodione. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration 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 annex 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, by 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; and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments, to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/12/Add.1) for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/12, the Chemical Review Committee, at its eighth meeting, by 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 consideration by 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 annex 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 nineteenth meeting, reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for mercury in the industrial category submitted by Colombia and the European Union, 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 notifications had met the criteria specified in Annex II to the Convention. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, in decision CRC-19/4, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention that mercury (CAS No. 7439-97-6) be listed in Annex III to the Convention as an industrial chemical and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Draft decision guidance document

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/13, the Chemical Review Committee, at its twentieth meeting, by decision CRC-20/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on mercury. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by 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 annex 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 and eighteenth meetings, reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for methyl bromide in the pesticides category submitted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Colombia, respectively, 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 notifications had met the criteria specified in Annex II to the Convention. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, in decision CRC-18/3, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention that methyl bromide (CAS No. 74-83-9) 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.12/14, the Chemical Review Committee, at its nineteenth meeting, by decision CRC-19/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on methyl bromide. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by 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 annex has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/15, the Chemical Review Committee, at its nineteenth meeting, by decision CRC-19/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on paraquat. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by 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 annex 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 eighteenth meeting, reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for paraquat in the pesticides category submitted by Malaysia and Mozambique, 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 notifications had met the criteria specified in Annex II to the Convention. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, in decision CRC-18/4, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention that paraquat (CAS Nos. 4685-14-7, 1910-42-5, 27041-84-5, 2074-50-2) be listed in Annex III to the Convention as a pesticide and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision RC-11/4, on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade by addressing impacts regarding the listing of chemicals in Annex III and its implementation, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention at its eleventh meeting, and on the request contained in the report of the Conference of the Parties on the work of its eleventh meeting (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/25, para. 158) for the Secretariat to continue implementation of decision RC-10/10, on enhancing the effectiveness of the Convention, and to report thereon to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The present note also provides information in follow-up to the agreement reached by the Conference of the Parties (ibid., para. 162) to defer further consideration of the proposal from a group of African countries to amend Article 16 of the Convention to its twelfth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/16, a proposal to amend Article 16 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, on technical assistance, is set out in annex I to the present note. The proposal was submitted by Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in October 2016 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting. For the convenience of Parties, the proposed amendment to the current text of Article 16, with changes tracked, is set out in annex II to the present note. The explanatory note from the Parties proposing the amendment is available in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/40, and a compilation of comments relating to the proposed amendment received from Parties prior to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties is available in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/41.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of decision RC-11/5, on the Compliance Committee of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/17, RC-11/6 and SC-11/13, on technical assistance, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/19, RC-11/7 and SC-11/15, on a framework for developing a resource mobilization strategy, adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/21, RC-11/8 and SC-11/20, on cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/22, RC-11/9 and SC-11/21, on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/23, RC-11/10 and SC-11/22, on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange, of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, which were adopted by 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 in 2017, as well as the request from the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2023 for the Secretariat to report on the implementation of the Gender Action Plan to the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2025.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/24, RC-11/11 and SC-11/23, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decisions BC-16/25, RC-11/12 and SC-11/24 entitled “From science to action”, which were adopted by 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 at their meetings in 2023.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the budget scenarios requested in decisions BC-16/28, (para. 26), RC-11/15 (para. 29) and SC-11/27 (para. 28), on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Meetings of 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 are to be held at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless the conferences of the Parties decide otherwise or other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultation with the Parties.

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants will be held in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025, back to back with the seventeenth 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 twelfth 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, 28 April 2025, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its twelfth 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 thirteenth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, in 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 on and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted the following decisions relevant to exemptions under the Convention: SC-11/1, on exemptions; SC-11/2, on DDT; SC-11/3, on polychlorinated biphenyls; SC 11/4, on evaluation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride pursuant to paragraphs 5 and 6 of part III of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention; SC 11/10, on listing of Dechlorane Plus; and SC-11/11, on listing of UV-328.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/2, on DDT, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/3, on polychlorinated biphenyls, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides that at its sixth ordinary meeting and every second ordinary meeting thereafter, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention is to evaluate the progress that Parties have made towards achieving their ultimate objective of elimination of hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, as well as tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, contained in articles, and to review the continued need for specific exemptions for those chemicals. Those paragraphs also provide that the specific exemptions will, in any case, expire at the latest in 2030.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/5, on guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/6, on measures to reduce or eliminate releases from wastes, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decision SC-11/7, on implementation plans, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Since the report provided to the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee has held its nineteenth and twentieth meetings, in Rome, from 9 to 13 October 2023 and from 23 to 27 September 2024, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its nineteenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, by decision POPRC-19/3, adopted a risk profile for chlorpyrifos (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.19/9/Add.3) and decided that chlorpyrifos 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 eighteenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, by decision POPRC-18/4, adopted a risk profile for chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14–17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.18/11/Add.3) and decided that those chemicals 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. At its eighteenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, by decision POPRC-18/5, adopted a risk profile for long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.18/11/Add.4) and decided that those chemicals 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. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/17, RC-11/6 and SC-11/13, on technical assistance, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established in section II, on regional centres under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, of decisions BC-16/17 and SC-11/13, on technical assistance, adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel and Stockholm conventions at their sixteenth and eleventh meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decision SC-11/14 on the financial mechanism, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/19, RC-11/7 and SC-11/15, on a framework for developing a resource mobilization strategy, adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/16, on reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention adopted at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/17, on effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decision SC-11/18 on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information on the implementation of the mandates established by decision SC-11/19, on procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/21, RC-11/8 and SC-11/20, on cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/22, RC-11/9 and SC-11/21, on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/23, RC-11/10 and SC-11/22, on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange, of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, 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. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, which were adopted by 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 in 2017, as well as the request from the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2023 for the Secretariat to report on the implementation of the Gender Action Plan to the conferences of the Parties at their meetings in 2025.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandates established by decisions BC-16/24, RC-11/11 and SC-11/23, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the implementation of the mandate established by decisions BC-16/25, RC-11/12 and SC-11/24 entitled “From science to action”, which were adopted by 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 at their meetings in 2023.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note provides information on the budget scenarios requested in decisions BC-16/28, (para. 26), RC-11/15 (para. 29) and SC-11/27 (para. 28), on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, adopted by 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 at their 2023 meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Meetings of 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 are to be held at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless the conferences of the Parties decide otherwise or other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultation with the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. On 21 October 2024, the Secretariat received a proposal from the Government of Ethiopia to amend Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, accompanied by an explanatory note. The proposal is set out in the annex to the present note, without formal editing. The explanatory note, available in the six official languages of the United Nations, is set out in document UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/70.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note, which was prepared in consultation with the presidents of 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, sets out a proposal for the conduct of the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to assist participants in preparing for the meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work for 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 5 November 2024, 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.17/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.12/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth 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 twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in annex I to the present note. Annex II, III and IV further outline the past membership of the Bureaux of the conferences of the Parties and the regional rotation between the Rapporteur and the President, as well as the past membership of subsidiary bodies under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, respectively. The present note, including its annexes, 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 seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth 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 twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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 20 January 2025. 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 improving the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure (UNEP/CHW.17/4), the annex to the present note sets out a report on challenges in the implementation of the prior informed consent procedure and best practices, possible approaches and initiatives to improve its functioning, as well as options for possible ways forward, prepared by the lead country in consultation with the small intersessional working group (SIWG) on improving the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure, reflecting the outcome of the first meeting of the SIWG. 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 guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), the annex to the present note sets out the draft compilation of available information on low persistent organic pollutant content values for hexabromocyclododecane, prepared by the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, under the leadership of Canada. 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 guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), annex I to the present note sets out the draft analysis of the chemicals recommended by the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Review Committee for listing under the Stockholm Convention and of how technical guidelines could be updated or developed if these chemicals are listed under the Stockholm Convention. Annex II sets out an overview of the technical guidelines on POPs wastes adopted by Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention. 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 annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), the annex to the present note sets out the draft technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. This version of the draft technical guidelines reflects the outcome of the second meeting of the small intersessional working group on waste batteries, held in Geneva, from 18 to 22 November 2024. Following the meeting, the draft technical guidelines were revised by the co-lead countries and the Secretariat, as agreed at the meeting. 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 guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of [used and] waste pneumatic tyres which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on waste tyres, for consideration by 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 cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (UNEP/CHW.17/6), annex I to the present note sets out a summary report on the progress of the work of the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized System related to the Basel Convention and annex II sets out the draft proposal for amendments to the Harmonized System with respect to slag, ash and residues containing selenium and tellurium, which was prepared by the Secretariat.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on national reporting (UNEP/CHW.17/7), the annex to the present note sets out possible revisions to table 9 of the reporting format and to the manual for completing the format for national reporting, taking into account comments received on them from Parties, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting. For ease of reference, the possible additions are underlined and the possible deletions are stroked. 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 national reporting (UNEP/CHW.17/7), the annex to the present note sets out, in section I, a table listing reporting and non-reporting Parties for the years 2021 and 2022, and in section II, details on the provision by Parties of information on the generation, import and export of hazardous wastes and other wastes in their national reports for these years. 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 electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents (UNEP/CHW.17/8), the annex to the present note sets out the report prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group, outlining further recommendations on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. 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 further consideration of plastic waste (UNEP/CHW.17/9), the annex to the present note sets out further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention in response to developments in scientific knowledge and environmental information related to plastic waste, as well as those considered by the intergovernmental negotiating committee referred to in paragraph 1 of resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC-16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated practical guidance for the development of inventories of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document pursuant to decision BC-16/12. In addition, the annex includes revisions made on the basis of the use of guidance in accordance with decision BC-13/8, on national reporting. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC-16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annexes to the present note set out the draft updated revised fact sheets on the following specific waste streams: in annex I, the factsheet on electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) and in annex II, the factsheet on waste vehicles. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. 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 hexabromocyclododecane. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document pursuant to decision BC-16/12. In addition, the annex includes adjustments to reflect revisions to the names of other technical guidelines referred to in the document. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. 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 polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated terphenyls, polychlorinated naphthalenes or polybrominated biphenyls including hexabromobiphenyl. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document pursuant to decision BC-16/12. In addition, the annex includes adjustments to reflect revisions to the names of other technical guidelines referred to in the document. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated guidance document on environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life computing equipment. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated revised guideline on environmentally sound testing, refurbishment and repair of used computing equipment. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated revised guideline on environmentally sound material recovery and recycling of end-of-life computing equipment. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated report with environmentally sound management criteria recommendations. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated report on strategies, actions and incentives to promote environmentally sound management of end-of-life computing equipment. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW.17/10), the Secretariat prepared revised draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated manual on steps to establish and implement environmentally sound Management for used and waste computing equipment. The updates made are shown with strikethrough for deletions and underlining for updated/additional text, as appropriate. Please refer to document UNEP/CHW.17/10/Add.1 for an overview of the revised draft updates made to the document. 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 further consideration of plastic waste (UNEP/CHW.17/9), the annex to the present note sets out further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention in response to developments in scientific knowledge and environmental information related to plastic waste, as well as those considered by the intergovernmental negotiating committee referred to in paragraph 1 of resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out information on the activities of the Committee to improve implementation and compliance with Article 9 of the Convention to prevent and combat illegal traffic. Annex I sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee in relation to scoping the extent of illegal traffic, annex II sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee to enhance coordination and increase the flow of information between competent authorities and enforcement entities, and on the actions of Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (BCRCs) and international organizations aimed at assisting Parties in enhancing coordination between their competent authorities and enforcement entities, annex III sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee on Parties’ responses to question 1 (c) of the reporting format for 2019 and 2021, a review of national legislation and other measures adopted by Parties to implement and enforce the Convention and the outcome of Parties’ self review of their legislation, setting out classifications of Parties’ compliance performance in relation to the obligations set out in Article 9 of the Convention, prepared using the legislator’s checklist, annex IV sets out the conclusions of the Committee following its dialogue on illegal traffic with BCRCs, international organizations and compliance bodies of other multilateral environmental agreements, and annex V sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee on the actions of BCRCs and international organizations aimed at disseminating guidance and tools developed under the Convention that aim to prevent and combat illegal traffic. The present note, including its annexes, has not been edited.

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.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out information on the activities of the Committee to improve implementation and compliance with paragraph 4 of Article 4 and paragraph 5 of Article 9 of the Convention on national legislation. Annex I sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee in relation to Parties’ self-review of legislation implementing the Basel Convention, annex II sets out the conclusions of the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee in relation to the activities of other entities aimed at assisting Parties in developing legislation implementing the Basel Convention, and dialogue with Basel Convention regional centres and international bodies and organizations, and annex III sets out the conclusions agreed on by the Committee and further information on the work of the Committee in relation to the review of legislation. The present note, including its annexes, has not been edited.

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.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out technically updated versions of the Guide to the Control System and the Manual for the Implementation of the Basel Convention, by including, as relevant, references to the Ban Amendment, the plastic wastes amendments, the e waste amendments, the glossary of terms, and technical guidelines and new guidance adopted since the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Both guidance documents reflect comments provided by Parties in the period between the first and second parts of the sixteenth meeting of the Committee. The present note, including its annexes, has not been edited.

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.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out information on the activities of the Committee to improve implementation and compliance with the obligation to designate competent authorities and a focal point pursuant to Article 5 of the Convention, including any common difficulties or issues being faced by Parties with respect to the obligation to inform the Secretariat, within one month of the date of decision, of any changes made by them to the designation of such country contacts. The present note, including its annex, has not been edited.

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.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out information on the activities of the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance with the Basel Convention to enhance cooperation with the Compliance Committee of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. Annex I to the present note sets out information on activities to enhance cooperation with the Compliance Committee of the Rotterdam Convention to facilitate compliance through the exchange of views and information between the committees on activities, operations and processes of joint interest, including as appropriate during joint sessions of the meetings of the committees, and recommendations to the Conference of the Parties. Annex II sets out information on activities, as part of its mandate to improve timely and complete national reporting under paragraph 3 of Article 13 of the Basel Convention and in cooperation, as appropriate, with the Compliance Committee of the Rotterdam Convention, to monitor United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework processes with a view to assessing the extent to which Parties with national reporting needs are including actions to address them in their cooperation frameworks, identifying best practices and, on the basis of the assessment, developing recommendations for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC 16/26, RC-11/13 and SC-11/25, on the venue and dates of the next meetings of 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, the conferences of the Parties decided that their next meetings, to be held back to back, from 28 April to 9 May 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, would include a high-level segment of no more than one day’s duration.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity, (UNEP/CHW.17/13), the annex to the present note sets out an explanatory note in English on the revised amendment proposals on Annex IV developed by the expert working group on the review of Annexes, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/CHW.17/13/Add.1. 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.17/13), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties on the revised proposals to amend Annex IV to the Basel Convention, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/CHW.17/13/Add.1. The comments received from observers are available on the website of the 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.17/13), the annexes to the present note set out the draft recommendations of the expert working group regarding the review of Annexes I and III (status as at 1 December 2023) developed by the expert working group on the review of Annexes. 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 the revised proposal by the Russian Federation to amend paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.17/15), the annex to the present note set out an explanatory note in English along with tracked changes to paragraph 2 of Article 6 in the six languages of the United Nations reflecting the proposed amendment, for the convenience of Parties. The explanatory note is reproduced as received. 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 revised proposal by the Russian Federation to amend paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.17/15), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties on the revised proposal. The comments received from observers are available on the website of the 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.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2022–2025 in the biennium 2024–2025. 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.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for 2026–2029. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

Report on the technical assistance needs of developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the technical assistance available from developed country Parties and others

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on regional centres under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/CHW.17/17 and UNEP/POPS/COP.12/16), the annexes to the present note set out reports by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the annex to the present note includes the draft guidance document on the environmentally sound refurbishment and repair of used and waste equipment of television screens, audio and video equipment and on the environmentally sound management of waste equipment of television screens, audio and video equipment. This version of the draft guidance document reflects the outcome of the first meeting of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste, held in Geneva, from 11 to 13 February 2025. Following the meeting, the draft guidance document was amended by the Secretariat, as agreed at the meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the annex to the present note includes the draft guidance document on the environmentally sound refurbishment and repair of used and waste equipment of refrigerators, cooling and heating equipment and on the environmentally sound management of waste equipment of refrigerators, cooling and heating equipment. This version of the draft guidance document reflects the outcome of the first meeting of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste, held in Geneva, from 11 to 13 February 2025. Following the meeting, the draft guidance document was amended by the Secretariat, as agreed at the meeting. 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.17/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report by the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste on progress made in the implementation of the activities set out in its programme of work for 2024–2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in section C of the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the annex to the present note sets out the further revised draft of the overall guidance document on the environmentally sound management of household waste. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in section D of the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW.17/18), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the activities of the working group of the Partnership on Plastic Waste. 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.17/18), the annex to the present note sets out a progress report on the activities of the Environmental Network for Optimizing Regulatory Compliance on Illegal Traffic. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the mobilization of resources under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions from non-State actors (UNEP/CHW.17/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the findings on the possible development of a non-State actor resource mobilization strategy, including key considerations and possible elements for the development of such a strategy. 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 cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury (UNEP/CHW.17/21–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/23), annex I to the present note sets out a report on the main joint cooperative activities undertaken in 2023 and 2024 by the secretariats of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and 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 conventions Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in areas of mutual interest. The report was prepared jointly by the two secretariats. Annex II to the present note contains an outline on the main joint activities planned for 2025 and the biennium 2026–2027, developed by the two secretariats. 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 international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out in section I a report providing detailed information on the international cooperation and coordination activities undertaken by the Secretariat with international bodies, including intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, international non-governmental organizations, and networks from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. Section II of the annex contains information on cooperation with other entities for activities with an international scope from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out a report by the Secretariat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the work of the organization on ship recycling. 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 with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an update on the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) secretariat of the intergovernmental negotiating committee. 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 with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an update on the ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution since 2023, submitted by the Secretariat 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 the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.17/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/22-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/25), the annex to the present note sets out the workplan for the implementation of the clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 2026–2027. 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 “Mainstreaming gender” (UNEP/CHW.17/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/23–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), annex I to the present note sets out an internal review of the implementation of the Gender Action Plan of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for 2013-2023 conducted by the Secretariat. Annex II sets out a draft of a new gender action plan, also prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), the annex to the present note sets out case studies prepared by the Secretariat on action taken by Parties to implement and enforce the trade control measures of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. 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.17/26–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/25–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/28), the annex to the present note sets out information on workshops and other actions taken to implement the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue to enhance science-based actions under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-16/28, RC-11/15 and SC-11/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, 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 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They are consistent with the action proposed in the working documents for the meetings and should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/69/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/39/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/58/Rev.1).

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note contains the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the respective conferences of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. A revised version of the report has been received on 4 March 2025. 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 the Conference of the Parties decides otherwise or 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 the note by the Secretariat on the organization of the high-level segment of the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/35–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/47–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/67), the Secretariat has prepared a thought starter containing background information on the theme of the high-level segment and guiding questions to facilitate the ministerial roundtable discussions and the interactive panel discussions.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW.17/5), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead-acid batteries. This version of the draft updated technical guidelines reflects the outcome of the second meeting of the small intersessional working group on waste batteries, held in Geneva, from 18 to 22 November 2024. Following the meeting, the draft technical guidelines were revised by the co-lead countries and the Secretariat, as agreed at the meeting. 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 with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat entitled “Addressing chemicals of concern in plastics through multilateral environmental agreements”. 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 Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW.17/12), the annexes to the present note set out the decisions adopted by the Committee during its sixteenth meeting (Geneva, 23–24 June and 29 June–2 July 2024, and Online, 14–18 October 2024) pertaining to the thirteen submissions under consideration. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/24–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/27), the annex to the present note sets out a workplan outlining timelines and associated actions, to strengthen Parties’ capacity to provide information about confirmed cases and experience related to preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and waste. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note, which was prepared in consultation with the presidents of 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, sets out a proposal for the conduct of the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to assist participants in preparing for the meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work for 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 5 November 2024, 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

1. In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the Parties present at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth 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 twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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 20 January 2025. This table is attached as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/CHW.17/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.12/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth 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 twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in annex I to the present note. Annex II, III and IV further outline the past membership of the Bureaux of the conferences of the Parties and the regional rotation between the Rapporteur and the President, as well as the past membership of subsidiary bodies under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, respectively. 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 Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/5), annex I to the present note sets out the curricula vitae, received in advance of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, of candidates nominated for appointment as members of the Chemicals Review Committee with terms of office beginning on 1 May 2026 and ending on 30 April 2030.

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 2022 to 31 October 2024:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in section C on exchanging information on exports and export notifications of the note by the Secretariat on the status of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/4), the Secretariat conducted a survey, from 15 December 2022 to 31 August 2023, on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam Convention to collect information from Parties for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The Secretariat conducted a subsequent survey, from 18 October 2023 to 31 July 2024, to collect information from Parties for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The results of the 2021 and 2022 questionnaires are set out in the addenda I and II, respectively, to the present note. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/7, the annex to the present note sets out the responses received from Parties to the questionnaire for the calendar year 2021 on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/7, the annex to the present notes sets out the responses received from Parties to the questionnaire for the calendar year 2022 on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam 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 Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/5), 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, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, Eritrea, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Yemen. 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 chlorpyrifos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-19/3 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting and decision CRC-20/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on chlorpyrifos and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its twentieth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for chlorpyrifos, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/8/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

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of mercury in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC 19/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting and decision CRC-20/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on mercury and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its twentieth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for mercury, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/13/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 methyl bromide in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-18/3 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting, the rationale prepared by the Committee at its first meeting and decision CRC-19/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on methyl bromide and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its nineteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for methyl bromide, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/14/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 paraquat in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-18/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its eighteenth meeting, and decision CRC-19/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on paraquat and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its nineteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for paraquat, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/15/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

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/16), the annex to the present note sets out a report on implementation of the information dissemination strategy for increasing the understanding and usefulness of tools and guidance to effectively address obligations and procedures relevant to the Rotterdam Convention for the period from January 2023 to December 2024. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/16), the annexes to the present note set out a report for consideration and discussion on a way forward by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting and a compilation of information provided by Parties and observers in response to decision RC-11/4 on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention by addressing impacts regarding the listing of chemicals in Annex III and its implementation. 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 technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2022–2025 in the biennium 2024–2025. 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.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for 2026–2029. 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.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the technical assistance needs of developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the technical assistance available from developed country Parties and others. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the mobilization of resources under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions from non-State actors (UNEP/CHW.17/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the findings on the possible development of a non-State actor resource mobilization strategy, including key considerations and possible elements for the development of such a strategy. 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 cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury (UNEP/CHW.17/21–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/23), annex I to the present note sets out a report on the main joint cooperative activities undertaken in 2023 and 2024 by the secretariats of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and 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 conventions Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in areas of mutual interest. The report was prepared jointly by the two secretariats. Annex II to the present note contains an outline on the main joint activities planned for 2025 and the biennium 2026–2027, developed by the two secretariats. 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 international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out in section I a report providing detailed information on the international cooperation and coordination activities undertaken by the Secretariat with international bodies, including intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, international non-governmental organizations, and networks from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. Section II of the annex contains information on cooperation with other entities for activities with an international scope from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an update on the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) secretariat of the intergovernmental negotiating committee. 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 with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an update on the ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution since 2023, submitted by the Secretariat 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 international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annexes to the present note provide a progress report on 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, including activities undertaken by the Secretariat as part of its cooperation with the World Customs Organization. Annex I sets out information on the assignment of customs codes. Annex II sets out the proposal that the Secretariat submitted to the World Customs Organization in October 2023 for a possible amendment to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System with respect to terbufos. 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 the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.17/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/22-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/25), the annex to the present note sets out the workplan for the implementation of the clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 2026–2027. 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 “Mainstreaming gender” (UNEP/CHW.17/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/23–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), annex I to the present note sets out an internal review of the implementation of the Gender Action Plan of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for 2013-2023 conducted by the Secretariat. Annex II sets out a draft of a new gender action plan, also prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), the annex to the present note sets out case studies prepared by the Secretariat on action taken by Parties to implement and enforce the trade control measures of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. 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.17/26-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/25-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/28), the annex to the present note sets out information on workshops and other actions taken to implement the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue to enhance science-based actions under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-16/28, RC-11/15 and SC-11/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, 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 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They are consistent with the action proposed in the working documents for the meetings and should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/69/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/39/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/58/Rev.1).

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note contains the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the respective conferences of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. A revised version of the report has been received on 4 March 2025. 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 programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17.27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note sets out the report of the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to the Conference of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. 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 the Conference of the Parties decides otherwise or 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. In decisions BC 16/26, RC-11/13 and SC-11/25, on the venue and dates of the next meetings of 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, the conferences of the Parties decided that their next meetings, to be held back to back, from 28 April to 9 May 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, would include a high-level segment of no more than one day’s duration.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the organization of the high-level segment of the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/35–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/47–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/67), the Secretariat has prepared a thought starter containing background information on the theme of the high-level segment and guiding questions to facilitate the ministerial roundtable discussions and the interactive panel discussions.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat entitled “Addressing chemicals of concern in plastics through multilateral environmental agreements”. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/24–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/27), the annex to the present note sets out a workplan outlining timelines and associated actions, to strengthen Parties’ capacity to provide information about confirmed cases and experience related to preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and waste. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.