The Science and Technical Assistance Branch manages scientific and technical inputs for the implementation of the three conventions and is responsible for the overall coordination and delivery of the technical assistance programme in accordance with the relevant mandates provided by the respective Conferences of the Parties.
The Branch manages the scientific and technical work required by the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and their respective subsidiary bodies. This includes the collection, review, assessment, and evaluation of scientific and technical information, including the information provided by Parties, as well as the development of technical documents such as guidelines and reports.
The Branch also manages the work of the Secretariat related to the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention, national reports, notifications, and exemptions, including the collection, management and analysis of information submitted by Parties.
As part of the overall coordination and delivery of the technical assistance programme, the Branch is responsible for the preparation of a technical assistance plan which is updated on regular basis. The plan and the technical assistance programme of work activities of the Secretariat are developed on the basis of the technical assistance needs, which are identified by developing country Parties or Parties with economies in transition to implement the three conventions.
The technical assistance plan identifies interventions for the implementation of the conventions at national and regional levels that are in line with the strategic directions and priorities set by Parties through their respective decisions and adopted programmes of work.
The Branch actively engages with regional centres established under the Basel and Stockholm Conventions to provide technical assistance, capacity building and to promote the transfer of technology to Parties. This includes the management of their selection process, the establishment of guidance to the centres, the promotion of effective collaboration and cooperation among the centres, as well as developing periodic business plans/workplans and activity reporting arrangements including their periodic performance evaluation.