Establishing the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution

Multilateralism – the principle that nations can best solve global challenges through cooperation, dialogue and shared responsibility – has once again proven its enduring value. In a time of geopolitical tension, environmental urgency, and societal complexity, the world has come together to achieve a major milestone for the health of people and planet with the official establishment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISPP-CWP) on 20 June 2025.

Pollution is increasingly recognized as one of the key dimensions of the environmental planetary crisis, alongside climate change and biodiversity loss. Yet, while the latter two benefit from global science-policy bodies like the IPCC and IPBES, pollution has long lacked a dedicated, coordinated platform to bridge science and policy. The new Panel changes this and more importantly the global chemicals and waste community stands to benefit enormously from its establishment. The new Panel will play a critical role in identifying and assessing emerging issues, improving access to scientific data, especially for developing countries, and fostering inclusive, evidence-based decision-making. By promoting coordination and complementarity with existing multilateral agreements, including the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Panel is poised to enhance our collective capacity to address pollution and its far-reaching impacts on human health and the environment.

Now that the Panel has been established, the real work begins. The challenge will be to build a strong and credible institution that delivers actionable science, fosters trust among all stakeholders, and drives real change on the ground. For this, the BRS conventions secretariat stands ready – bringing its decades of experience, deep networks of experts, policymakers and communities.

This new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution is more than an institutional innovation. It is a renewed expression of hope – that even in difficult times, countries can come together in the spirit of multilateralism to protect the planet, guided by science, grounded in cooperation, and driven by a shared commitment to a cleaner, safer world for all.