Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment
October 2019 - No. 26
Welcome
MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE: Dear Readers, This quarter is always a busy time for joint efforts to implement the three conventions. Below you’ll find snapshots of intersessional work, including the launch of a new UN Partnership on Plastic Waste under the Basel Convention, the results of the scientific subsidiary body meetings of both Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, news of a key development at the Human Rights Council, and much, much, more.
#Detox!
With waste the theme of this year’s World Habitat Day, Antonio Guterres highlights the role of frontier technologies to transform waste into wealth, and stresses the need to reduce waste in the first place.
The BRS Secretariat is still accepting applications for membership to the follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE), and also inviting comments on the new work programme and terms of reference, with deadline 30 September 2019.
The final evaluation of the Convention’s Strategic Framework for implementation for 2012-2021 is underway, and Parties are asked to submit information by 31 January 2020.
Parties and observers are kindly invited to respond to requests from the recent COP-14, for follow-up to the decisions taken by Parties in Geneva, in May.
Read the BRS Press Release summarising outcomes of the 15th meeting of the Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention, which concluded 10 October 2019 at FAO headquarters in Rome.
Dakar, Senegal, hosts a capacity-building workshop for governments and other stakeholders working towards the sound management of chemicals and waste, including plastic waste. Funding support kindly provided by the Government of France.
Perfluorohehexane sulfonic acid, its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds, were recommended for listing without exceptions as the POPRC-15 meeting in Rome concluded successfully on 4 October 2019.
Parties and observers are kindly invited to respond to requests from the recent COP-19, for follow-up to the decisions taken by Parties in Geneva, in May.
“Pollution 5.0” is the title of Rolph Payet’s latest article, on why sound management of chemicals and waste is a prerequisite for achieving universal health coverage.
Established by the Basel Convention COP in May, members and the diplomatic community gather to launch this new initiative at a special event hosted by the City of Geneva.
