Training Chairs and Negotiators Under the BRS Conventions
Skilled Leadership in Global Chemicals and Waste Governance
Effective decision-making under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions relies on strong, impartial, and well-prepared leadership—a pool of trained and confident chairs, together with negotiators equipped with the skills and knowledge to engage effectively, is thus essential. As the world grapples with escalating environmental crises, the ability of Parties to lead discussions, build consensus, and deliver outcomes has never been more critical. Recognizing this, the BRS Conventions Secretariat continued its dedicated Chair and Negotiator Trainings in 2024 and 2025, aimed at expanding and diversifying the number of government officials equipped to lead across a range of BRS Conventions meetings—from plenaries to technical working groups—while also promoting gender equality and cultural sensitivity in multilateral settings.
Training Tomorrow’s BRS Conventions Negotiators in Western Asia
From 28 to 30 May 2024, a high-impact training workshop—preceded by a self-paced online course—was held at the Dead Sea in Jordan, hosted by the Government of Jordan and organized by the BRS Conventions Secretariat in collaboration with UNDP Jordan. Designed for government officials already involved or expected to participate in BRS conventions processes, the training focused on navigating procedural rules, building consensus, and managing complex dialogues, all delivered in English to reflect real conventions settings.
Practical Training for Real-World Negotiating and Chairing
Building on the momentum of the Western Asia negotiators’ training, the BRS Conventions Secretariat convened capacity-building workshops for chairs in Geneva from 3 to 5 and 5 to 7 February 2025. Through two consecutive, hands-on workshops, government representatives from around the world stepped into an immersive experience designed to refine the skills needed to lead effectively across Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions meetings. Participants gained practical tools to manage procedures, facilitate complex discussions, and lead with confidence, fairness, and cultural and gender awareness. With strong emphasis on real-world application, the workshops prepared delegates to take the helm in a wide range of meeting formats. The training also welcomed participants engaged in the Minamata Convention and the Global Framework on Chemicals, further strengthening synergies across various chemicals and waste fora.
“The training equipped me with the skills to navigate through tough moments in the room while maintaining progress in the discussion. I was able to chair a contact group for the first time and cherish every moment of it.”
— Lamin Jaiteh (The Gambia), 2025 BRS Conventions chairs training
Impact
The impact of the training workshops was palpable. Newly trained participants stepped into leadership roles during the 2025 BRS COPs with confidence—guiding discussions, chairing contact and regional groups, and helping shape consensus in real time. Their presence brought fresh energy, stronger regional representation, and procedural clarity to the negotiation process. With a more diverse and skilled pool of chairs and negotiators, BRS Conventions meetings are becoming not just more inclusive, but also more effective, showcasing tangible progress in strengthening global environmental governance.
The BRS Conventions Secretariat extends its sincere thanks to the European Union and the Governments of Germany and Switzerland for their generous support across these trainings, which made it possible to continue investing in a diverse, capable, and inclusive leadership pipeline—ensuring we’re building the next generation of leaders in global environmental diplomacy.