Geneva, Switzerland, 30 April 2025 — Over 1,600 participants representing approximately 170 countries and regional economic integration organizations, and 260 observer organizations have already convened in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) taking place from 28 April to 9 May 2025. These legally binding environmental treaties play a pivotal role in protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
Held under the unifying theme “Make Visible the Invisible,” the meetings taking place at the Geneva International Conference Centre, were preceded by preparatory meetings on 27 April 2025. The COPs will focus on efforts to address hazardous chemical and waste pollution that continues to pose significant threats to human health and the environment.
A High-Level Segment, taking place from 30 April - 1 May 2025, will bring together ministers and high-level dignitaries from across the globe. Through ministerial roundtables, interactive panels, and bilateral engagements, the segment aims to renew political commitment to the BRS conventions and foster global dialogue on three core sub-themes: Pollution, Circularity, and Means of Implementation. The High-Level Segment will conclude with a press conference on the afternoon of 1 May 2025 at 16:30 CET, at the Palais des Nations, to highlight key outcomes and renewed momentum for addressing the interconnected crises of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
The Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-17) will consider, among others, classification and hazard characterisation of wastes; technical guidelines on a range of wastes including but not limited to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) wastes, waste lead-acid batteries, pneumatic tyres, electronic and electrical waste (e-wastes), waste containing nanomaterials, mercury wastes, and plastic wastes. The meeting will also consider the Basel Convention Partnership Programme and activities related to partnerships on plastic, e-waste, and household waste. Under legal, governance and enforcement matters, there will be consideration of work on providing further legal clarity including amendment proposals on AnnexIV to the Basel Convention developed by an expert working group; and the work of the Convention’s Implementation and Compliance Committee on issues such as national reporting, illegal traffic, national legislation and Guidance on how Parties can integrate actions to address their needs under the Convention in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.
The Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) will consider the listing of 10 hazardous chemicals in Annex III, making them subject to the prior informed consent procedure under the Convention. This includes 4 new chemicals: chlorpyrifos and methyl bromide which are used to control various pests in agricultural crops; paraquat which is used in agriculture for weed control and mercury which is used in particular in small-scale artisanal gold mining, as well as products such as lamps, batteries, medical and measuring devices and dental amalgam. The 6 returning chemicals are: acetochlor and paraquat dichloride (pesticide), fenthion formulations, iprodione and carbosulfan (pesticide), and chrysotile asbestos (industrial) that has historically been used in building materials. In addition, Parties will also consider an item on enhancing the effectiveness of the Convention, including proposed amendments to Article 16 on technical assistance and a report compiling information received from Parties on this matter. The meeting will also discuss the report on the activities of the Compliance Committee on both specific submissions and reviews of systemic issues of general compliance.
The Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) will consider the recommendations from the scientific body to include the following persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Annex A to the Convention for elimination: 1) Chlorinated paraffins that are used in in metalworking fluids as lubricants, and also used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, as well as in paints, sealants, and rubber; 2) Chlorpyrifos an insecticide widely used in agriculture. It is a highly toxic organophosphate insecticide known to have adverse effects on the nervous system, posing significant health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.; and 3) Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC PFCAs) that are commonly used in industrial and consumer products such as in the manufacture of semiconductors, printing inks, paints and coatings, paper and food packaging, waterproof textiles, cleaning products, and firefighting foams. There will also be consideration of reports on progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and DDT. With an upcoming expiry of specific exemptions that are available for certain chemicals, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention will for the first time consider requests for extension. Parties will further consider an updated guidance on the global monitoring plan, adoption of the workplan and review of the financial mechanism.
Cross-cutting issues: In addition to individual convention matters, all three meetings of the COPs will jointly consider cross-cutting issues like technical assistance, international cooperation and coordination, and the programme of work and budget for the coming two years.
Make Visible the Invisible Fair
A centerpiece of the outreach efforts, the “Make Visible the Invisible” Fair, will take place from 29 April to 2 May 2025, featuring over 21 exhibition stands from national governments, civil society, and private sector partners. The Fair aims to raise public awareness on the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and their contribution towards addressing the crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
Running in parallel, the “Lake Exhibition” at Rotonde du Mont Blanc offers a visual storytelling journey on chemical and waste pollution. Open to the public from 1 April – 4 May 2025, this outdoor installation features 16 panels blending science, storytelling, and artistry.
Spotlight on Mountain & Glacier Environments: A World Champion Advocate Joins the Cause
On Tuesday, 6 May 2025, the BRS Conventions will welcome a new World Champion Advocate, a former global sports icon committed to environmental protection. The announcement will take place during a special event at the Geneva International Conference Centre. The advocate will participate in awareness-raising activities, especially focusing on pollution impacts in fragile mountain and glacier ecosystems.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, is the most comprehensive international environment treaty on hazardous and other wastes and is almost universal, with 191 Parties. With an overarching objective of protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, its scope covers a wide range of waste subject to transboundary movements defined as hazardous based on their origin and/or composition and characteristics, as well as four types of waste defined as “other wastes”, namely household waste, residues arising from the incineration of household wastes ash, certain plastic wastes and certain electronic and electrical wastes requiring special consideration.
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004, is jointly administered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Environment (UNEP). The 167 Parties to this legally binding Convention share responsibility and cooperate to safely manage chemicals in international trade. The Convention does not introduce bans but facilitates the exchange of information among Parties on hazardous chemicals and pesticides, to inform and improve national decision making. In addition, through the PIC Procedure, it provides a legally binding mechanism to support national decision-making on the import and export of certain chemicals and pesticides and disseminates decisions to Parties.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its 186 Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, or BRS Secretariat, supports Parties implement these three leading multilateral environment agreements governing sound chemicals and waste management, according to the mandates in each Convention and as decided by the governing bodies.
For media enquiries, contact:
Maria Cristina Cardenas-Fischer, Head of Unit and Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor, Policy and Strategy Unit, Executive Office, BRS Secretariat, maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org and mea-brs-communications@un.org.