BRS NEWSLETTER

Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment

February 2017 - No. 10

Welcome

WELCOME: Dear readers, this year is a crucial year for the global community’s efforts to detoxify the future: it is now less than 90 days until the 2017 triple COPs take place in Geneva, the international city of chemicals and waste governance. Meeting documents are going online, travel arrangements are being made, and the deadline for requesting side events, booth space, or for exhibiting in the Technology Fair, is soon (4th March).

Below is a selection of news and developments, much – but not all – related to the COPs, including a new Party to both the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and details of the forthcoming Regional Preparatory Meetings to be held in Brazil, Latvia, Senegal and Thailand.

News
	Strengthening Basel implementation and supporting Ban Amendment ratification in the Maldives With funding from Switzerland, a national consultation on the Basel Convention and facilitation of entry into force of the Ban Amendment in the Maldives was held 9-10 January 2017. Share:
	Basel Convention workshop on environmentally sound management delivers tools for hazardous waste management Expert Group finalizes practical manuals on Extended Producer Responsibility, financing systems, and guidance on the prevention and minimization of waste. Share:
	Malta accedes to the Rotterdam Convention, becoming the 157th Party Malta has acceded to the Rotterdam Convention, depositing instruments to become a Party to both the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on 17 January 2017, entering into force on 17 April 2017. Share:
	Malta ratifies the Stockholm Convention, becoming 181st Party Malta has ratified the Stockholm Convention, depositing its instruments to become a Party to both the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on 17 January 2017, entering into force on 17 April 2017. Share:
	New Deputy Executive Secretary for the BRS Secretariat The BRS Secretariat welcomes Carlos Martin-Novella as Deputy Executive Secretary. Mr Martin-Novella, previously at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), replaces Kerstin Stendahl, who joins IPCC, as of 1 January 2017. Share:
	Budget documents for consideration by the COPs now online The proposed programmes of work and budgets for the conventions for 2018-2019 are now available. Share:
	Outcomes of the joint bureaux meeting The report of the joint meeting of the COPs bureaux held on 3 and 4 November 2016 is now available. Share:

Technical Assistance

Upcoming webinars

Upcoming workshops

Emerging issues

David Ogden: DECIPHERING the COPs to DETOXIFY the FUTURE

BRS, COPs, POPRC, CRC, OEWG, ICC – here in the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) we certainly have a lot of acronyms! Deciphering the meanings can be challenging, yet overall it is simple: the conventions all aim to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects...

Forthcoming meetings

Regional BRS Preparatory Meetings scheduled to ensure efficient COPs

With financial support from Switzerland, parties will consult regionally at preparatory meetings organised in March in Bangkok, Dakar, Riga and Sao Paolo.

Postcard from the former Soviet Union

Rotterdam Convention works with parties, EU and NGOs to reduce pesticide risk in eastern Europe and central Asia

Tackling the legacy of an estimated half of the world’s stockpile of obsolete pesticides requires capacity-building for risk reduction and sustainable management.

Synergies in the spotlight

Strengthening enforcement of environmental law in Europe

The Secretariat recently extended its agreement with IMPEL on illegal waste and chemicals trafficking to include cooperation relevant to all three conventions.

Our Regional Centres

Focus on regional implementation switches to Africa

Find out more about the work of the Basel and Stockholm Regional centre in Pretoria, South Africa.