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BRS NEWSLETTER

Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment

March/April 2020 - No. 29

Welcome

Dear Readers,

COVID19 has struck since our last BRS Newsletter and the world has changed. Meanwhile, the importance of sound management of chemicals and waste, especially including medical and plastic waste, has never been more crucial. This edition brings you many COVID19-focussed communications, including a guidance factsheet on the environmentally sound management of medical waste, altered arrangements for the upcoming Basel Convention “Open-ended Working Group” in June, and more. Scroll down also for details of other selected ongoing activities, including the recent first meeting of the Plastic Waste Partnership in Seychelles, and national implementation progress under the Stockholm & Rotterdam conventions. Together with Parties, observers, donors and other stakeholders, we continue and strengthen our joint efforts, working towards a clean planet, healthy people!

COVID-19 News
	Rolph Payet: Certainty amid the uncertainties As the world grapples with the human health and socio-economic challenges associated with COVID19, our thoughts and gratitude go to all medical and essential professionals around the globe fighting this global pandemic. Share:
	BRS Secretariat urges sound management of medical and household waste as part of COVID-19 response Read the Secretariat’s Press Release on the need to prioritise waste management during the COVID-19 outbreak. Share:
	COVID19: Factsheet on Environmentally Sound Management of Medical Waste available online Download the Basel Convention’s guidance document on how to manage medical waste in the most sustainable manner. Share:
	Communication regarding COVID-19 and upcoming BRS meetings Share:
	Watch: BRS Executive Secretary and colleagues on COVID19 and the sound management of chemicals and waste Recording available of the BRS briefing of 30 April, which covered COVID19 impacts and responses, and arrangements for the forthcoming Basel Convention OEWG meeting in June, with thanks to the Geneva Environment Network. Share:
	Exciting new learning platform launched for home-schooling children! The BRS Secretariat is proud to partner with UNEP on the new Earth School Adventures, launched on 22 April, bringing environmental education into the homes of millions of home-schooling children, including a component on plastics (from 13 May). Share:

News
	New Small Grant Programme launched to improve plastic waste management at municipal, national and regional levels The BRS Secretariat is pleased to announce, thanks to generous funding from Norway, the opening of the new Small Grant Programme on Plastic Waste, open to applications from Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres until 15 July 2020. Share:
	New Plastic Waste Photo Contest launched to raise awareness on plastic waste pollution Photographs are invited from professionals, amateurs and children, and will be judged by a panel including a National Geographic photographer. Deadline for submission: 30 September 2020. Share:
	New Executive Secretary (FAO) appointed for the Rotterdam Convention Mr Rémi Nono Womdim, Deputy Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division of FAO, has been appointed as Executive Secretary (FAO) of the Rotterdam Convention, effective 15 February 2020. Share:
	Christine Fuell: Mozambique – a success story in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis During these difficult times, in which COVID-19 challenges the whole world, some good news is certainly most welcome. And Mozambique is happy to provide it! Share:
	To rid the world of POPs, Kyrgyzstan updates its national plan for implementing the Stockholm Convention Addressing amendments to the Convention made at COP-4 and COP-5, Kyrgyzstan has transmitted its updated NIP. Share:
	Deadline extension to feedback request concerning technical assistance needs, responses now due by 31 May 2020 Questionnaires have been distributed to Parties in order to gauge technical assistance needs and gather offers of technology transfer, to assist implementation of the three conventions. Share:

Technical Assistance

Postcard from Seychelles

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BRS NEWSLETTER

Rolph Payet: Certainty amid the uncertainties

BRS Secretariat urges sound management of medical and household waste as part of COVID-19 response

COVID19: Factsheet on Environmentally Sound Management of Medical Waste available online

Communication regarding COVID-19 and upcoming BRS meetings

Watch: BRS Executive Secretary and colleagues on COVID19 and the sound management of chemicals and waste

Exciting new learning platform launched for home-schooling children!

New Small Grant Programme launched to improve plastic waste management at municipal, national and regional levels

New Plastic Waste Photo Contest launched to raise awareness on plastic waste pollution

New Executive Secretary (FAO) appointed for the Rotterdam Convention

Christine Fuell: Mozambique – a success story in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis

To rid the world of POPs, Kyrgyzstan updates its national plan for implementing the Stockholm Convention

Deadline extension to feedback request concerning technical assistance needs, responses now due by 31 May 2020

Upcoming meetings

Upcoming webinars

Upcoming workshops

Documents and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Basel Convention’s Open-ended Working Group meeting now available online

Save the date: Dates and venue for the 2021 BRS COPs

Governments, industry, civil society and UN join forces to beat plastic waste pollution