Dr. Rolph Payet, former Minister for Environment and Energy, Seychelles, has been the Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions since 6 October 2014.

Dr. Payet has a Doctorate in Environmental Science, degrees at master level in Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Business Administration (MBA) and Applied Environmental Economics, and an honours degree in Biochemistry.

In addition to having been the Seychelles’ Chief Negotiator for the Basel Convention, the Montreal Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Dr. Payet also established important multi-stakeholder platforms, such as the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) and and co-chaired the International Coral Reef Initiative. He was Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third and Fourth Assessments and was elected as Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) in 2007, in recognition of his contributions to marine research. He established the first university in Seychelles in 2009, and is its present ProChancellor. He also holds an associate professorship at the University of Linnaeus in Sweden.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 87 40
E-mail: rolph.payet@un.org

David Ogden currently holds the position of Deputy Executive Secretary for the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS). He joined the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in March 1997, assuming the role of coordinator for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in its negotiation, the process of its coming into force, and the establishment of a permanent secretariat. In 2012, after the merger of the Basel and Rotterdam Secretariat Conventions, he took on the leadership of the Conventions Operations Branch and later assumed the role of Chief of the Governance Branch.

Prior to joining UNEP, Mr. Ogden's professional experience included a decade-long tenure at the United States Environment Protection Agency, spanning from 1987 to 1997. Throughout this period, he primarily functioned within the Office of International Affairs, where he served as the lead analyst for international chemicals management matters, playing a crucial role. Notably, in 1994, during his secondment to the U.S. Department of Treasury, he assumed the position of acting Associate Director for Environment within the Office of Multilateral Development Banks. Mr. Ogden holds a diverse academic portfolio, having earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs, a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, and a teaching certificate for high school-level social studies. He holds American nationality.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 90
Email: david.ogden@un.org

Christine's responsibilities include:

- Coordination: Leading the FAO based part of the Rotterdam Convention (RC) Secretariat; organisation of programme of work; supervision of implementation of the RC;
- Policy and technical advice: Coordination and support of RC meetings (COP, CRC); provision of policy and technical advice on pesticides;
- Management: Day to day management related to RC and synergy activities and management tasks within FAO's Plant Production and Protection Division.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 5705 3765
Email: Christine.fuell@fao.org

Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer is currently a Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor in the Executive Office, where she is responsible for the provision of policy and strategic advice to the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary on several areas of work of the BRS Secretariat, including in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, on cooperation with key partners as well as on the coordination and implementation of a number or substantive, policy and programmatic matters within the Executive Office.

Between April 2013-September 2016, she served as Chief of the Technical Assistance Branch of the Secretariat, where she was responsible for the development and coordination of the technical assistance programme for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention. From February 2012- April 2013 she was appointed as Acting Chief of the Technical Assistance Branch, following the restructuring of the Secretariat as a result of the Synergies process. From October 2009-February 2012 she was the coordinator for the technical assistance programme of the secretariat of the Stockholm Convention and chaired in 2011 the Secretariats’ Task Force on Restructuring, set up by the Executive Secretary to undertake the analytical work required to support decision-making relating to the restructuring of the Secretariat.

Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer joined the Stockholm Convention Secretariat in October 2001 as a policy advisor, over the years she was responsible for managing the areas of work of the Secretariat pertaining to technical assistance (including the regional centres for capacity building and transfer of technology), the financial mechanism under the Stockholm Convention, the national implementation plans, the reporting obligations and the expert group on BAT and BEP.

Prior to joining the UN Environment, Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer, worked for the Colombian Government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1993 to 2001), where she was a special advisor for environmental issues, representing her government in numerous multilateral fora and negotiations. Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer is a Colombian national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 35
E-mail: maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org

Mr. Moser serves as the Head of the Programme Resources and Oversight Unit, located in the Executive Office of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The unit is responsible for resource mobilization, , donor relations and communication, programme implementation oversight, programmatic aspects of Umoja extension II, financial mechanisms and resources related to the implementation of the three conventions, corporate risk management, corporate legal matters, as well as the human rights and trade nexus. Mr. Moser also serves as the Focal Point for the Financial Mechanism of the Stockholm Convention, the Global Environment Facility, and the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level in the chemical and waste cluster.

Mr. Moser is a German national. He holds a university degree in chemistry, an advanced university degree in economics, and a PhD on the topic of ethics in chemistry. Mr. Moser joined the Secretariat in 2009. Prior that, Mr. Moser worked for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna and the Chemicals Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 89 51
Email: frank-michael.moser@un.org

Asana is a Public Information Officer within the Executive Office of the BRS Secretariat. Ms. Greenstreet looks after the Public Awareness and Outreach activities and assists in providing the Secretariat with advice relating to communications matters and emerging issues associated to the work of the conventions. Her work contributes to raising the visibility and reach of the BRS Conventions.

Ms. Greenstreet is a qualified broadcast journalist and worked as a TV news producer in the UK, before working as a Civil Servant in the UK Government for several years.

Ms. Greenstreet is a joint British-Ghanaian national, and speaks and writes in English, French, and Spanish and has knowledge of Italian.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 35 31
E-mail: asana.greenstreet@un.org

Adelina currently serves as the Personal Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. Alongside her role in the Executive Office, she also acts as the focal point for BRS travel plans.

Adelina's professional journey includes her tenure as an Administrative Assistant in the Funds Management, Administration, and Human Resources Branch of the BRS (October 2010 – January 2020). In this role, she provided administrative support for budget, procurement, finance, and travel, and also served as the focal point for the procurement plan.

Before joining UNEP - BRS, Adelina's experience in Geneva involved roles as an Administrative Assistant for UN-REDD and an HR Assistant for UNICC. Notably, she spent seven years (1999 – 2006) as an Administrative Assistant at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), HQ in Prishtina, supporting the Front Office of the Chief Communications & IT Section (CITS). Adelina also contributed her expertise for almost eight years in Prishtina's private sector, serving as an Administrative/Finance Assistant.

Adelina, a Swiss national of Kosovar origin, is fluent in Albanian (native language), English, French, and Serbo-Croatian.

Coordinates

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 71
Email: adelina.gashi@un.org

Anna currently serves as the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, and Team Assistant within the Executive Office.

Prior to her role at the BRS Secretariat, Anna served as a Junior Policy Analyst for the OECD Tourism Team in Paris from 2017 to 2021. In 2022, she also worked at Algolia, a dynamic French/American software company, as a Partner Channel Developer.

Anna's educational background includes a Master of Science in Economics and Management for arts, culture, media, and entertainment, which she earned from Bocconi University in Milan.

Anna, an Italian national, is fluent in Italian (native language), English, and French.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 90
Email: anna.bolengo@un.org

Giovanna is a Programme Officer and supports the work of the Executive Office and the Governance Branch of the BRS Secretariat on several areas of work of the BRS Secretariat.

Before joining the Secretariat, Giovanna was an Associate Programme Officer in the UNEP Regional Office for Europe and at the UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch. Among others, she developed and managed projects funded by the Global Environment Facility on the chemicals and waste focal area. She holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, with specialization in International Cooperation; a post-graduate certificate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Giovanna is a Brazilian-French national and speaks and writes in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0)22 917 89 43
Email: giovanna.chiodi@un.org

Marijana supports the Programme Resources and Oversight Unit in the Executive Office of the Secretariat to the BRS Conventions. She is a political scientist and environmental policy and planning specialist by training. Prior to joining the BRS Secretariat, she worked at the Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) at UNEP for two years. In this role, she provided policy and technical support to the ‘SAICM Beyond 2020’ process as well as to the multiple stakeholder groups involved, and to the Bureau of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).

Prior to joining UNEP, Marijana worked as a project officer at the Forum for Environment and Development, the umbrella organization for German NGOs working on UN processes on environment and sustainable development, where she facilitated the working groups on chemicals & waste, water and biodiversity. During her academic training, she spent one year in Lima (Peru) as a social worker with the German Red Cross.

Marijana is a German national and speaks and writes in English, French, German and Spanish.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 12 96
Email: marijana.todorovic@un.org

Gundega started her UN journey more than 24 years ago after joining the United Nations in 1997 as a successful National Competitive Exam candidate, and has acquired a varied professional experience in various UN departments in positions related to administrative management, revenue producing operations, and information services.

Prior to joining UNEP/BRS, she served as UNICRI’s Chief of Centralized Management Unit (CMU) in Turin, Italy, and was responsible for the human resources, budget and financial management, general administrative support including procurement and contracts, facilities management, and information technology, while being supported by an extraordinary team of staff. She was also a part of the UN Security Management Team for Italy and coordinated UNICRI’s efforts in business continuity. Before UNICRI, she served the UN Secretariat in New York in various positions for 20 years. As an Administrative Officer for the Umoja ERP team within the Department of Management , she was privileged to have supported a dedicated team of colleagues implementing a major UN change initiative from its inception to successful deployment. As an Acting Administrative Officer, Gundega also had an opportunity to serve the Security and Safety Service of the UN DSS and gained an immense appreciation for the dedication and determination of the work of the Service’s colleagues. Her previous positions involved work with UN publications within the Department of Public Information.

Gundega is a Latvian national. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, US (recipient of Fulbright scholarship), and a Bachelor of Science in Library Science from Latvija University in Latvia. She has also received a Certificate in Human Resources Management from New York University, and a Certificate in Financial Management Specialization, Finance and Financial Management Services, from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 53 42
Email: trumkalne@un.org

Responsible for the ICT infrastructure that supports digital services at BRS Secretariat, he advices the Branch Chief on how to achieve its technological evolution so it constantly meets the conventions’ requirements. Arian also coordinates and participates on the provision of IT support services among other tasks.

Arian brings extensive experience from his previous work background in Cuba and Switzerland, where he provided services to companies in the Banking, Food industry, Medical services and Construction sectors. He has worked for twelve years as a consultant Engineer in a well-established IT Services provider company in Geneva and has performed as Systems Engineer and Project Manager during his several assignments in small and medium sized clients. Arian has provided consultancy services as ICT Manager to the Geneva offices of UNDP, UNOPS and UNFPA, in addition to the UN-REDD Secretariat, during various long-term missions.

Arian is an Automation Engineer. He speaks and writes in Spanish, English and French. He is a national of Cuba and Switzerland.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 67
Email: arian.calzadilla@un.org

Armands joined the BRS Secretariat on 1 February 2024 as the Finance and Budget Officer.

His extensive experience with the United Nations and international organizations in New York, Geneva, Abu Dhabi, and Paris spans 25 years in functional areas of finance, budget, oversight, and program management. Armands has worked for the UN Secretariat, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UNITAR, Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance, UNHCR, and UNESCO. Most recently, he supported budget operations at UNESCO and the Field Operations Finance Division at the UN Headquarters.

Armands holds an MBA degree from HEC Paris, is certified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and obtained Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification. Additionally, he is a licensed hot air balloon pilot.

Coordinates:

Telephone:  +41 (0) 22 917 47 68
E-mail: armands.cakss@un.org

Bruce joined the BRS Secretariat on 1 June 2015, providing Administrative and Fund Management Services for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

Previously, Bruce provided Finance and Administrative Services for the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, in Bonn where he served for three years. Bruce has over twenty years of experience with UNEP and has held a number of different positions at UNEP-headquarters, including in the Division of Environmental Law and Conventions and the Office for Operations, mostly relating to programme planning, coordination and management.

Bruce has a Masters degree in Business Administration and is a national of Kenya.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41(0) 22 917 83 45
Email: bruce.noronha@un.org

Claire is an Information System Officer working on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange activities of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm secretariats. She is more specifically in charge of information exchange on Plastic Waste, and Stockholm convention’s NIP and National Reporting electronic toolkits.

Before joining UNEP/BRS in March 2023, Claire worked as an Associate Development Specialist at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), where she was responsible of the design and development of web-based information systems, and gained a strong experience in system analysis, development, system integration and database design.

Claire is from France and holds a master’s degree in information technology from Bordeaux’ University. She speaks and write in French and English.

Coordinates:

Telephone:+41 (0) 22 917 27 48
Email: claire.morel@un.org

Edward supports the Secretariat in the areas of finance, budget, human resources, procurement and other general admin functions.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 10
E-mail: edward.theuri@un.org

Innocent's responsibilities are to assist the Secretarial in the areas of budget preparation, review and control, financial management and administrative tasks.

Innocent is a Ugandan national with many years of United Nations experience in the areas of Finance, Budget and Administration. He holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from South Bank University, London, United Kingdom and also is a proud member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 21
Email: innocent.kalumba@un.org

Joanne is currently the Administrative Assistant and Focal Point for HR, Consultants and Internships related matters in the Human Resources Management Unit. The unit falls under the overall Funds Management, Administration and Human Resources Branch.

Prior to joining the UN system she has worked in the private sector in Barbados, Canada, and Switzerland. With over 25 years of experience within the UN (UNV, UNHCHR, UNCTAD, UNOPS, and UNEP) she has extensive experience in administrative, HR and personal assistant roles. She has also arranged and participated in several missions to post-conflict and post-disaster regions. She is a certified PADI Diving Instructor. Joanne is fluent in English and French.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 03
E-mail: joanne.slotte@un.org

Serving as information officer, Julien is in charge of information technology and information exchange activities of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm secretariats.

Before joining UNEP in Geneva in 2011,  Julien worked as an information systems specialist in France and Cambodia where he gained a strong technical experience in designing and implementing web-based information systems. In 2006, Julien had the opportunity to work at the UNEP Division of Communication and Public Information in Nairobi and was in charge of systems supporting the UNEP website (www.unep.org).

Julien is from France and holds a master’s in Social Science from Toulouse’s University and another one in Information Technology from Paris’s University.

Coordinates:

Telephone:+41 (0) 22 593 34 27
Email: julien.hortoneda@un.org

Lalantha started working with Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm secretariats as of the 3^rd of January 2013 in the Knowledge Management Team. He supports and maintains the database and Information system for the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel systems. As part of the IT team, Lalantha is also supporting the IT team in issues related to the Integration of the network platforms and e-mail systems.

Before joining UNEP/BRS in January 2013, Lalantha worked at the Information Communication and Technology Service (ICTS), The United Nations Office at Geneva(UNOG) as a Computer Operation Assistant. During his tenure at the ICTS, He has worked and provided IT support to UNOG, UNCTAD, UNHABITAT, ISDR, PCDMB, and UNEP. Lalantha has vast experience in all facets of Domino administration, troubleshooting, installations, and maintenance for various desktop operations, hardware, and software while working with United Nation System, further gained experience video conferencing at the UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU).

Lalantha is from Sri Lanka and Holds a bachelor's degree (BSc) in Science (Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry), diploma in hardware and networking. Further, several certifications in graphic designing/animations and training for trainers.

Coordinates

Telephone: +41(0) 22 917 8 229 
Email: lalantha.sirisenage@un.org

Laurence is the travel assistant for the conference services of the BRS. She is the focal point regarding the arrangements of travels for the 3 Conventions. She is in charge of the creation and follow-up of travel authorizations in the UN system (Umoja), liaison with the official travel agency regarding travel bookings, creation of rosters for disbursement of DSA, assisting delegates and other participants with regard to their official travels and other travel expenses.

Laurence started her UN career with UNEP in 2008 for the Administrative Service Center as travel approver in the UNEP travel unit. Prior to UNEP, Laurence was a business travel agent for major travel agencies (in France and Switzerland) as an administrative assistant for the city hall of Paris (1996 – 2001).

Laurence holds both French and Swiss nationalities. She has a bachelor in tourism, leisure, and travel management, diplomas of Web Assistant and Web Editor from the Swiss IT school.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 87 50
Email: laurence.attouz@un.org

Le is responsible for developing and managing the conventions' 4 websites and databases, an essential and major component of the Clearing-house Mechanism. He is also an active member and contributor to other information exchange activities of the Conventions.

Prior to joining UNEP in July 2008, Le worked at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as a training assistant on the Humanitarian Coordination System Strengthening Project.

Le holds two bachelor’s degrees, a BA in Business Management and a BS in Computer Science, both from Webster University.

Le speaks English, French and Mandarin.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 08
Email: le.gong@un.org

Amélie’s core functions, as a Legal Officer within the Programme and Resources Oversight unit/Executive Office of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions’ Secretariat, are to:

- administer the corporate and institutional legal services and activities, in coordination with the administrative & fund management officers, which mainly include: i) the drafting, negotiating, implementing of legal agreements/contracts with governments, Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other public and private entities; ii) intellectual property law; iii) dispute resolution & prevention; as well as iv) a wide range of corporate and institutional legal substantive and procedural issues related to international, public, private, and administrative law, and to the interpretation of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing the UN/UNEP/ the secretariat corporate and institutional legal activities and operations, including e.g. staff rules and regulations, financial rules as to arrears, etc.;

- lead the handling of legal and policy matters associated with: i) resources mobilisation and programme oversight; ii) knowledge management and communications; iii) human rights, including gender and staff representation issues; iv) trade & the environment relevant to the BRS Conventions, in cooperation with the World Trade Organization (WTO), UN Environment Economics and Trade Branch (ETB), the UN Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD), as well as with other relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and stakeholders;

Amélie took up her appointment as a Legal Officer of the Stockholm and of the Rotterdam Conventions in July 2009, and managed the Legal Unit of the Joint Services for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions until February 2012. Prior to joining the United Nations, she acquired significant professional experience in the private sector, in Geneva, Paris, Brussels and Santiago de Chile, as an in-house senior legal counsel for a multinational biotech company, as an Attorney-at-Law/Avocate in law firms, as well as around and within international organisations (e.g. the European Commission, the World Trade Organization). She was admitted as an Attorney-at-Law to the Paris Bar Court of Appeals in 2001. Ms. Taoufiq was educated in the UK (London) and in France; she holds a Master’s Degree in International Law from the Université de Paris I - Panthéon Sorbonne (2000), and a Master’s Degree in the Intellectual Property/Media/Information/new technologies from the Université de Paris II - Panthéon Assas (2001). Being both a native French and Moroccan national, as well as a Swiss citizen, French is her mother tongue; she is also bilingual in English and Spanish, has a good working knowledge of German and basic knowledge of Arabic and Italian, among others.”

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 89 50
Email: amelie.taoufiq@un.org

Martina supports the Funds Management, Administration and Human Resources Branch of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat in the areas of finance, budget, procurement, human resources, administration and project management.

Prior to joining the Secretariat, Martina worked for various UNEP offices in Geneva. She started her UN career in 2015 at UNEP/Operational Service Centre and she also worked for the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Martina is an Italian national. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Management from Université de la Vallée d’Aoste.

She speaks English, French and Italian and she has a basic knowledge of Spanish and German.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 17
E-mail: martina.riva@un.org

Vera supports the Funds Management, Administration and Human Resources Branch of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat in the areas of finance, budget, procurement, human resources, administration and project management.

Prior to joining UNEP, Vera worked for OHCHR in the Investigations Support Unit of the Emergency Response Section in Geneva. She also worked in two Peacekeeping missions, as the Associate Coordination Officer for Chief Operations and Resource Management in Mali (MINUSMA) and as the Administrative Assistant for the Chief Security Adviser in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Before joining the UN, she worked in the private sector in digital marketing, market research and administration.

Vera is a Dutch national. She holds two Master's Degrees, one in Marketing Management and one in Leisure Studies from Tilburg University.

She speaks English, French and Dutch and has knowledge of Spanish and German.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 91 86
Email: hallebeek@un.org

Ms. Juliette Voinov Kohler is the Chief, officer in charge, of the Governance Branch and the Secretariat’s senior legal officer. She joined the Secretariat in December 2008.

Ms. Voinov Kohler holds a Ph.D. in international environmental law (summa cum laude) from the University of Geneva, an LL.M in international law (with Merit) from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from the University of Geneva. She was admitted to the Bar in Geneva. Prior to joining the Secretariat, Ms. Voinov Kohler accumulated experience in international environmental law, international criminal law, humanitarian issues as well as in Swiss law (law firm, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Global Humanitarian Forum), in Switzerland as well as in the United States in New York (consultant) and in Chicago (Responsibility to Protect Coalition). Since 2011, she has been a lecturer in international environmental law at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Ms. Voinov Kohler is a French national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 19
Email: juliette.kohler@un.org

Andrea works as a Programme Officer in the Governance Branch. She is responsible for the organization of the meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and its Bureau. She also coordinates meetings of the Chemical Review Committee, the work on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention, the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention and capacity-building activities for chairs and negotiators under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.

Andrea holds a master’s degree in business administration and a second master’s degree in French philology, as well as an advanced university degree in international studies. She speaks German (native), English and French (bilingual), and has a working knowledge of Spanish. Andrea is an Austrian national.

Coordinates

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 88 53
Email: andrea.lechner@un.org

Dan provides support to the Science and Technical Assistance Branch, responsible for organising webinars and online consultations, he also assists with data quality control related to national reporting under the Basel Convention, updating of the Conventions websites and organizing of travel for meeting participants.
He has worked within the United Nations since 1995 in various positions and functions. Initially joining the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions Secretariat in 2010, he has also worked for the Minamata Convention Secretariat and UN Environment Programme’s Chemicals and Waste Branch.
Swiss national, he is fluent in French and English.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 97
Email: dan.darziv@un.org

Emilie works as a Team Assistant in the Governance Branch. She is supporting the preparation and organization of various meetings including CRC and POPRC meetings, regional meetings, supporting the Conference of Parties (COPs) and other type of events including side events and webinars. Emilie also provides administrative support by drafting and formatting meetings documents, sending out meeting invitations and coordinates the posting of various documents on the BRS website. Emilie holds a master’s degree in project and event management, a second master’s degree in business administration, as well as a professional certificate in Fundraising. She worked several years as an event coordinator in the hospitality industry followed by a professional experience in the Public Health sector. Prior to joining the Secretariat, she worked at a Zero Waste organization where she coordinated practical workshops to people inclined to favor a sustainable lifestyle.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 10 17
Email: emilie.raynaud@un.org

Giovanna is a Programme Officer and supports the work of the Executive Office and the Governance Branch of the BRS Secretariat on several areas of work of the BRS Secretariat.

Before joining the Secretariat, Giovanna was an Associate Programme Officer in the UNEP Regional Office for Europe and at the UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch. Among others, she developed and managed projects funded by the Global Environment Facility on the chemicals and waste focal area. She holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, with specialization in International Cooperation; a post-graduate certificate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Giovanna is a Brazilian-French national and speaks and writes in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0)22 917 89 43
Email: giovanna.chiodi@un.org

Jackline Wanja Wanjiru is a Programme Management Officer within the Legal and Policy Unit. She supports the Unit’s work on legal information, technical assistance and preparation of meetings for the Conventions’ governing and subsidiary bodies, including compliance mechanisms.

Before joining the Secretariat, Jackline was a Legal Officer at UNEP’s Law Division, where she was mainly responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law, coordination of the Green Customs Initiative and provision of legal support to UNEP’s governing bodies. She also has a background in trade and human rights’ civil society organizations and previously interned for the Offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the High Commissioner for Refugees.

Jackline holds an LL.M. in International Law, with a specialization on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Switzerland and a Bachelor of Laws from Kenyatta University in Kenya. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Kenyan national.

Coordinates

Telephone:
Email: jackline.wanjiru@un.org

Ms. Edma is a Team Assistant in the Conference and Information Services Branch. Assisting in the preparation and organization of the meetings of the Conference of the Parties, Subsidiary bodies meeting, and other meetings including online meetings. Ms. Edma also provides administrative and Social Media support to Public Awareness and Outreach Team.

Ms. Edma is from the Philippines and holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Ms. Edma previously worked as a technical support representative for a computer company. Prior to joining the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention, Ms. Edma worked as an intern for UNEP Administrative Service Center where she was involved in updating their filing system, verified disbursement of payment in Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), and assisted in workshop preparation of UNEP/Chemicals.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 88 18
Email: jo.edma@un.org

Kei is a Programme Officer for the Science and Technical Assistance Branch and the Governance Branch. She coordinates scientific work of the Stockholm Convention POPs Review Committee and the Rotterdam Convention Chemical Review Committee and supports the process for reviewing and listing new chemicals under the conventions. Her expertise includes industrial chemicals and waste management, developing inventories and national implementation plans, risk assessment and environmental monitoring. Since the adoption of the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments in 2019, Kei has been the overall coordinator of the plastics related work of the BRS, leading several technical assistance projects including the BRS-Norad projects and the Small Grant Programme of the regional centers. She leads “From Science to Action” programme of the BRS to enhance science-policy interface.

Prior to joining the Secretariat in 2007, Kei was a consultant for the Ministry of Environment Japan specialized in international relations, environmental awareness and policy analysis for chemicals management. She holds a PhD and a Master of Science degree in the field of environmental analytical chemistry and organic geochemistry from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. She is a Japanese national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 01
Email: kei.ohno@un.org

As Documents Assistant, Leslie is responsible for liaising and organizing the submission of official meeting documents of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions to the UNON Conference Services for editing and translation. She is also accountable for establishing and maintaining a computerized database to monitor and follow-up submission of documents and to keep track of the status of each document. Leslie also verifies the final meeting documents for any oversight (formatting, references, etc.) and thereafter coordinates their posting on the websites of the Secretariat by liaising with the Information Technology team.

Leslie is from the Philippines and studied Computer Programming. Before joining the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, Leslie worked with the World Health Organization for 5 years as Administrative Clerk. She was Programme Assistant in the Legal and Policy Unit of the Governance Branch before taking on her document assistant function.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 88 99
Email: leslie.angeles@un.org

Marylene works as a Programme Officer in the Governance Branch. She is responsible for the organization of the meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention and its Bureau. She also provides support to the work of the Basel Convention’s Implementation and Compliance Committee with regards to specific submissions and coordinates the Secretariat’s cooperative activities with other bodies.

Before joining the Secretariat in 2008, Marylene worked for 4 years at the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on technical assistance issues related to the chemicals and wastes conventions. Marylene holds a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in environmental management. Marylene is a French national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: + 41 (0) 22 917 83 87
Email: marylene.beau@un.org

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 72
Email: nico.laurijssen@un.org

Sharon works as a Programme Officer in the Governance Branch. She is responsible for the organization of the meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention and its Bureau and serves as the process coordinator for the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.

Before joining BRS, she worked as a program officer for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a legal officer for the International Atomic Energy Agency, and as a diplomat for the Philippine Foreign Service during which she specialized in treaty law, international security and multilateral negotiations. She was also engaged in private law practice and is a member of the Philippine bar. She holds degrees in Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts major in Communication from the University of the Philippines, and a Diploma in International Nuclear Law from the University of Montpellier.

Coordinates:

Telephone: + 41 (0) 22 917 83 87
Email: sharon.rivera@un.org

Silvia provides management of the Translation services: in-house translation services (translations into French and Spanish of web pages, press releases, correspondence, presentations, leaflets, etc.), management of translation requests, evaluation of resources needed and preparation of translation schedules, and management of contracts and work assignment for an external pool of freelance translators in 6 UN languages.

Silvia joined UNEP in 1998 and has worked in Chemicals and in the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention. She provided update and development of the Rotterdam Convention web site in English, French and Spanish. She assisted the Secretariat in managing the Integrated office automated system by maintaining the database (DNAs, OCPs, Importing Countries Responses and Notifications). She provided inhouse translations and proofreading from English into French and Spanish concerning chemicals notifications from Parties, publication material, web pages, leaflets, press releases, Notes Verbales, meeting invitation letters, confirmation letters, registration forms, etc. Silvia is from Argentina and holds a diploma in Legal Translation French-Spanish, delivered by the Buenos Aires' University

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 75
E-mail: silvia.blanc@un.org

Stéphanie is the focal point for Conference Services in the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS). She serves as primary point of contact to the Conventions in the Conference and Information Services Branch (CISB), Conference Services regarding the organizational arrangements for meeting participants of the BRS Conferences of the Parties (COPs), subsidiary bodies and expert meetings and, to the heads and coordinators by coordinating, organizing and prioritizing work. This involves the monitoring of progress according to schedules of work, the establishment of functional timelines for registration, travel and formal correspondence processes. She is responsible for receiving and screening official nominations and registration of delegates, observers and other participants and, she is also the point of contact for diplomatic missions, ministries, international organizations and agencies during the preparation of these face-to-face and online meetings. She supervises and coordinate the work of support staff assigned to the team in a matrix structure, related to the arrangements of meetings. Stéphanie also handles the process of credentials of the representatives of the Parties, the registration and travel arrangements process during the major conferences of the three Conventions.

Stéphanie started in the United Nations in 1995. She worked for one year at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the External Relations Division and for the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 1996 to 1999 in the Division of Human Resources Management. She joined the UNEP Chemicals’ unit in August 1999 and assisted this unit in organizing meetings/workshops in Geneva and elsewhere such as the first Global Mercury Assessment (GMA) meeting, the international Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), the Development of a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committees (INCs) and workshops on POPs. She also provided assistance in the capacity building programme and to the Administration. Stéphanie was appointed to the position of programme assistant at the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention in 2006 and senior meeting services assistant at the Secretariat of the BRS Conventions in June 2015.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 24
E-mail: stephanie.cadet@un.org

Susan Wingfield is a Programme Officer in the Legal and Policy Unit, Governance Branch of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. Among her current responsibilities are the facilitation of two Partnerships under the Basel Convention, on plastic waste and household waste; coordination of the work of one of the Convention’s subsidiary bodies (the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention); and serving as the policy, technical and capacity building lead on ship recycling issues. Susan is also the Gender Focal Point for the Secretariat.

Ms. Wingfield is a New Zealand and Australian national and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Economic History and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Technology, both from the University of London. Prior to her role at the Secretariat, Susan performed a variety of project management and consultancy roles within the UN, World Bank, UK government and banking, finance and IT sectors.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 84 06
Email: susan.wingfield@un.org

Tatiana Terekhova has a leading role in the partnership programme, engagement with non-state actors, and illegal traffic and trade of hazardous chemicals waste under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. Tatiana implements a number of capacity-building activities, including in relation to marine pollution and plastic wastes. She deals with the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular its indicators and governance issues of the Basel and Stockohlm conventions regional centres. Prior to this function, she was coordinating capacity-building activities for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Convention, including the E-waste Africa programme.

She has been in the United Nations family for over 18 years. This includes the UN Environment Programme where she managed the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the UN Institute for Training and Research where she provided assistance to developing countries and countries in economy in transition in various areas of sound chemicals and wastes management. Tatiana is a national of the Russian Federation. She has a background in international environmental law and law degrees from Russia and Switzerland.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 40
Email: tatiana.terekhova@un.org

Yvonne Ewang-Sanvincenti joined the Secretariat in April 2009. She is the programmatic focal point and coordinator for procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Compliance, as well as providing legal support to Conventions’ bodies meetings including the legal advisor for the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions’ scientific committees. She ensures the coordination and provision of a legal advisory service, including responding to oral and written queries from Parties and other stakeholders. Ms. Ewang-Sanvincenti leads provision of substantive legal inputs and ensures coordination on specific issues (Enhancing effectiveness under the Rotterdam Convention; Stockholm Convention specific exemptions). She delivers certain legal and governance elements of technical assistance activities under the Secretariats’ work programmes.

Ms. Ewang-Sanvincenti, of Cameroonian-British origin, qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales. She has experience in private legal practice, industry, inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in England, France and Switzerland. Ms. Ewang-Sanvincenti has completed an LLM in Public international law (specializing in international environmental law, legislative drafting and rights of women); as well as having completed a post-graduate Legal Practice Course and holds an LLB (Hons) in European Languages and Law. She speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 12
Email: yvonne.ewang-sanvincent@un.org

Ms. Abiola Olanipekun is the Chief of the Science and Technical Assistance Branch, with overall responsibility for management and supervision of the scientific work required by the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and their respective subsidiary bodies; including management of the overall coordination and delivery of the technical assistance and capacity building programme in the implementation of the conventions.

Ms. Olanipekun, a Nigerian citizen, worked for the Federal Ministry of Environment Nigeria (1987 to 2013) in the Chemicals Management Division of the Department of Pollution Control & Environmental Health and has led and coordinated the African region for over a decade in major international negotiations, policies and programmes on sound management of chemicals. She served as Chairperson on the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership Programme Advisory Group and member of UNEP Experts’ Groups on a number of recent international chemicals management initiatives. She has been a prominent advocate of key outcomes that have enabled the global community’s efforts to achieve sound management of chemicals. She holds a Bachelors of Science and Masters Degree in Biochemistry and Environmental Science and Technology respectively from University of Benin, Nigeria and UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 84 05
Email: abiola.olanipekun@un.org

Alain works as a Programme Management Officer for the Science and Technical Assistance Branch. He is responsible for the coordination of the implementation of the Stockholm Convention’s Effectiveness Evaluation, and of the scientific and technical assistance activities on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP), and on the Toolkit for unintentional POPs. Alain also supports the implementation of other scientific and cross-cutting activities in the implementation of the BRS Conventions programme of work, and is the focal point within the Branch for global and regional capacity building events for chairs and negotiators under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.

Alain has an academic background in Geology and Environmental Sciences. He joined UNEP in 2002 working for the Post Conflict Assessment Branch. In 2008, he joined the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention as Programme Officer. Alain is a Swiss and British national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 27
Email: alain.wittig@un.org

Andrea Cararo is Programme Officer in the Science and Technical Assistance Branch. He primarily focuses on the provision of technical assistance activities on the prevention and minimization, environmentally sound management, and control of transboundary movements of plastic waste. Among others, he facilitates the implementation of a national, regional and global projects addressing plastic waste in the context of the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments. This includes projects funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Norwegian Retailers Environment Fund, the Small Grants Programme on Plastic Waste, as well as the initiative on Plastic Waste in Remote and Mountainous Areas.

Before joining the Secretariat, Andrea worked in various positions at ITU, UNITAR and UNEP. Among others, he led activities under the Technical Assistance Programme on E-waste Policy, as well as the development of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers, and facilitated the implementation of a variety of projects to strengthen capacities for the environmentally sound management and monitoring of different waste streams, such as persistent organic pollutants, mercury, e-waste, and plastic waste. Andrea holds a Master’s Degree in European Economy and Business Law from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where he specialized in international economics and policy.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 68 64
Email: andrea.cararo@un.org

Artem provides support to the Science and Technical Assistance Branch of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. He undertakes quality control of national reporting data under Basel convention, assists in drafting and processing of the legal agreements and provides technical support to the meetings’ logistics.

He had been serving for 10 years within UN (UNDP, UNOG, OHCHR), INGO and academic domains. The key focus of his previous assignments was centred around management and administration of the projects aiming at restoration of critical public infrastructure and energy sector, economic recovery and demining action in the post-conflict settings.

He is a national of Ukraine and has a Master’s degree in Business Management and Administration at Donetsk State University of Management.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 27 36
Email: artem.gladkykh@un.org

Carla is responsible for the areas pertaining to the Basel Convention technical guidelines and electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents. And as part of the Stockholm Convention, Carla is responsible for National Reporting. Carla joined the Secretariat in September 2010.

She has been working for the United Nations (UN) since 2005. Before working for the UN Environment Programme, she worked for the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, and at the UN Headquarters in New York with UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). From 2001 to 2005, she worked as researcher in Germany, at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Technologies and for the University RWTH Aachen. Before 2001, she worked, for several years, in the private sector, within various entities, and universities, based in Brazil. Carla holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University RWTH Aachen, Germany, and speaks Portuguese (native), English, German, French and Spanish. Carla is a Brazilian national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 86 86
Email: carla.valle@un.org

Florencia performs documentary research and provides assistance for the selection and access to data and information on scientific and technical issues relevant to the BRS conventions. She assists in the planning and implementation of the collection, compilation and aggregation of data and information, as needed for the implementation of the BRS Secretariat’s work plan. She also assists with data quality control related to the national reporting under the Basel and Stockholm conventions, and is responsible for the processing and publication of scientific and technical documentation submitted by Parties.

Florencia joined UNEP in 2001. She has served the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention since 2006 and the BRS Secretariat since its inception. She holds a diploma in chemical engineering from the University of San Marcos in Lima; a post-graduate degree in development studies, with a specialization in sustainable development from the University of Geneva; and a post-graduate diploma in Environmental Engineering and Management from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), in Lausanne. She also holds certificates in information systems, and web design and management, obtained respectively in Lima and Geneva. Florencia is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 84 89
Email: florencia.verdi@un.org

Ms. Cenni is a programme officer of the Science and Technical Assistance Branch. She the focal point for technical assistance for the Basel Convention and is responsible for technical assistance on emergencies, in the Secretariat. She coordinates the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste (PACEII) and she also serves as focal point for BRS activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ms. Cenni is one of the authors of the E-waste Challenge MOOC and in the past she coordinated the Probo Koala assistance programme in Africa, the E-waste Africa programme and the Mercury and Lead programmes of the Basel Convention, facilitating projects in cooperation with the Basel Regional Centres. Prior to joining UNEP, Ms. Cenni was the environmental manager of a chemical company in the waste water treatment sector, where she was responsible for the environmental management system, according to the ISO 14000 standards. In UNEP she participated in the Palestinian-Israeli portfolio of activities of the Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch. Ms. Cenni, an Italian national, holds a Master's degree in environmental sciences and studied at Bologna University, in Italy and Lund University in Sweden, where she specialized in marine toxicology.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 64
Email: francesca.cenni@un.org

Jost Dittkrist is Programme Officer in the Science and Technical Assistance Branch of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. He serves as the Focal Point for Technical Assistance under the Rotterdam Convention. He also facilitates the implementation of national, regional and global projects on the prevention, environmentally sound management, and control of transboundary movements of plastic waste. Moreover, his responsibilities include facilitation of the Household Waste Partnership of the Basel Convention.

Before joining the Secretariat, Jost worked in various positions at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Chemicals and Health Branch, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the International Solid Waste Association. Among others he supported the development of the Global Chemicals Outlook II, coordinated work on green and sustainable chemistry, and facilitated the implementation of a variety of projects to strengthen capacities for the environmentally sound management and monitoring of mercury and persistent organic pollutants.  

Jost holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, where he specialized among others in international environmental law, policy and economics.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 73
Email: jost.dittkrist@un.org

Kei is a Programme Officer for the Science and Technical Assistance Branch and the Governance Branch. She coordinates scientific work of the Stockholm Convention POPs Review Committee and the Rotterdam Convention Chemical Review Committee and supports the process for reviewing and listing new chemicals under the conventions. Her expertise includes industrial chemicals and waste management, developing inventories and national implementation plans, risk assessment and environmental monitoring. Since the adoption of the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments in 2019, Kei has been the overall coordinator of the plastics related work of the BRS, leading several technical assistance projects including the BRS-Norad projects and the Small Grant Programme of the regional centers. She leads “From Science to Action” programme of the BRS to enhance science-policy interface.

Prior to joining the Secretariat in 2007, Kei was a consultant for the Ministry of Environment Japan specialized in international relations, environmental awareness and policy analysis for chemicals management. She holds a PhD and a Master of Science degree in the field of environmental analytical chemistry and organic geochemistry from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. She is a Japanese national.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 01
Email: kei.ohno@un.org

Lina implements the activities for the evaluation of continued need for DDT for disease vector control including coordination of the Global Alliance for the development and deployment of alternatives to DDT. She is also working on technical assistance needs assessment exercises and various programmatic aspects related to the work of the Scientific and Technical Assistance Branch.

Lina joined UN Environment working for the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions supporting capacity-building and face-to-face training activities, as well as serving as the Regional Focal Point for Latin America. Subsequently she worked for the Secretariat of the Special Programme on institutional strengthening for chemicals and waste (also known as the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme), the SAICM Secretariat and the Minamata Convention Interim Secretariat, as well as serving as the Gender Focal Point for the UN Environment Economy Division. Prior to joining UN Environment, she held the position of Environmental Health Officer in Southern Finland. Lina has a scientific background, with a particular focus on health and environment. She holds a Master in Science degree from Åbo Akademi University in Finland. She has also studied economics, gender, and political sciences.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 81 47
Email: lina.fortelius@un.org

Mehrnoosh Azodi is a Programme Officer in the Science and Technical Assistance Branch. Her primary focus is on the provision of technical assistance activities on the prevention and minimization, environmentally sound management, and control of transboundary movements of plastic waste. Among others, she facilitates the implementation of a national, regional and global projects addressing plastic waste in the context of the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments. This includes Plastic Waste in Remote and Mountainous Areas as well as projects funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Norwegian Retailers Environment Fund, Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial, among others.

Before joining the Secretariat, Mehrnoosh worked in various roles at UNEP, UNEP-WCMC, UNITAR GRID-Arendal, and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). She holds a doctoral degree in environmental engineering from McGill University in Canada and a master’s degree in chemical engineering and nanotechnologies from Amirkabir University of Technology in Iran.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 81
Email: mehrnoosh.azodi@un.org

Melisa Lim is responsible for implementing activities aimed at promoting reduced reliance on and the elimination of chemicals newly listed under the Stockholm Convention, with a focus on industrial POPs (brominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid). She implements the work programme on new POPs and facilitates the development of technical guidelines to assist parties in the sound management of newly listed POPs. To support the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, she coordinates its intersessional work on industrial POPs and the evaluation of candidate POPs and of proposals for the listing of new chemicals. She contributes to synergy activities aimed at coordination among the scientific subsidiary bodies and the inclusion of newly listed POPs in technical guidelines mandated by the Basel Convention.

Prior to joining UNEP, Melisa served with the Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board, the UN body mandated to promote the implementation of the international drug control conventions. Her work centred around the regulation of psychoactive substances and promoting access to narcotics for pain treatment. Melisa has extensive experience as a research scientist and has led projects on subjects ranging from plant immunity to the toxicity of heavy metals. Melisa holds a Ph.D in biology from Washington University in St Louis. Her undergraduate degree is in biology and environmental science. Melisa is a national of Mauritius.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 83
Email: melisa.lim@un.org

Olga is a Programme Management Assistant in the Science and Technical Assistance Branch supporting the implementation of the BRS Norad-1 and Norad-2 projects. Olga has over 10 years’ experience in finance, accounting, administration and programme management.

Olga has been working for the United Nations (UN) since 2016. She worked as a Finance Assistant at UN Environment, Economy Division in Nairobi. Olga also worked as a Programme Management Assistant at UN-Habitat, Global Solutions Division and The Regional Office for Africa. Before joining the UN, She worked for 7 years for other international non-governmental organizations in the field of finance and accounting.

Olga holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce specializing in Finance from The University of Nairobi and Kabarak University respectively.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 83 37
Email: olga.kouko@un.org

Philomena works in the Scientific Support Branch of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. She assists with the organization of workshops and meetings and provides any other support, including sending letters to meeting participants, organizing staff and participants travel & distributing DSA. She also circulates official correspondence regarding projects and programmes of the Secretariat as appropriate and assists with inputting data on National Reporting into the report database. Provides Webinar logistics coordination and technical support for the Secretariat.

Philomena, a Swiss national of Indian origin, was educated at the University of Calcutta in Political Science, Economy and Psychology. She also has a diploma in Fashion Designing with Maggy Meyers Institute of Fashion Technology. Before joining the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention in January 2008, Philomena worked with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Home for the dying & destitutes and the Orphanage, based in Calcutta, India. She also has experience working with other UN organizations, the private sector, NGOs and the State Red Cross.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 87 99
E-mail: philomena.joseph@un.org

Suman takes lead in coordinating with the regional centres under the Basel and Stockholm conventions and serves as a contact point for them. In addition, he serves as technical assistance focal point for the Stockholm Convention, focal point for NIP transmission and PIC Circular (Import Response and FRA Notification for Industrial chemicals)within the Science and Technical Assistance Branch of the Secretariat.

Prior to joining UNEP in January 2007, he worked for the Government of Nepal in various capacities. Started professional career as an analytical chemist in 1988 and worked for about 10 years in this capacity. In 1998 he moved to the Ministry of Environment where his principal area of work was environmental pollution control. His areas of work included drafting of policy, program and projects on pollution control including formulation of environmental standards. In addition to this, he liaised with various bilateral and multilateral donors/partners in the activities relating to environmental pollution control. In 2001 he took the management responsibility of the Air Quality Management Project for Kathmandu valley. Suman is a Nepali. He completed his M.Sc. degree in physical chemistry in 1984 from TU, Nepal. In 2003, he got another M.Sc. degree in Environmental Toxicology, Technology and Management from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +41 (0) 22 917 82 10
Email: suman.sharma@un.org

Aleksandar's responsibilities include:

- PIC Circular: Prepares the semi-annual PIC - collects, reviews and verifies the: Import Response (IR) for pesticides subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure;Notifications of final regulatory actions (FRA) to ban or severely restrict pesticidesand proposals for severely hazardous pesticide formulations (SHPF). In addition co-ordinates translation into English, Spanish and French, ensures consistency across language versions, and ensures its publication (CD and web);
- Technical Focus: Facilitates information exchange and provides technical input and support to the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention and the operation of its Secretariat.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 5705 2801
Email: Aleksandar.Mihajlovski@fao.org

Responsibilities:

•  Data entry in database for PIC Circular;

•  Correspondence with stakeholders;

•  Recruitment of consultants, raising POs and follow up payments; raising travel authorizations;

•  Assistance in meeting preparation and logistics arrangements;

•  Formatting proceedings;

•  Compile, maintain, update and distribute inventory in various languages for RC publications;

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 570 52794
Email: chiara.pellegrini@fao.org

Mario's responsibilities include:

- Technical Assistance: Delivery of Technical Assistance with particular focus on Latin America and the Caribbean; preparation of project proposals for the resource mobilization strategy;
- Capacity building: Development of technical and policy information for training materials related to pesticides risk reduction; dissemination of information on alternatives to hazardous pesticides;
- COP and subsidiary bodies: Support for the preparation and execution of Conference of the Parties and Chemical Review Committee meetings.

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 5705 0583
Email: mario.yarto@fao.org

Sarra Baccouri, a Tunisian national, is agronomist, with Master Degree in Agronomy and Plant Biotechnology from INAT Tunisia. Sarra has served FAO since June 2017 as Agriculture Specialist (SNE and RNE).

From September 2012 to May 2017, Sarra had worked at the Cabinet of the President of the Government and the Cabinet of the Ministry of Agriculture in Tunisia where she was mainly in charge of technical assistance and coordination. Sarra had occupied managerial positions at private agri-business companies in Tunisia and Turkey from 2008 to 2012 and she supported the activities of some environmental NGOs working to promote sustainable agriculture and GAPs. Sarra started her professional career in July 2007 as development engineer recruited by AFD to support a Tunisian NGO APAD to promote Conservation Agriculture in order to mitigate climate change impacts on agriculture.

Sarra speaks Arabic, French, English, a few German and Turkish and has basic knowledge of Russian. 

Sarra will support both, the normative and the technical assistance work of the Rotterdam Convention. 

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 5705 1850
Email: sarra.baccouri@fao.org

Soraya's responsibilities include:

- Coordination of administrative and logistics arrangements for COP and CRC meetings and technical workshops in the field
- Financial reports and transactions
- Human Resources staffing actions (staff and consultants)
- Liaison with experts, FAO offices and UN organizations
- Administrative focal point for the Rotterdam Convention team at FAO

Coordinates:

Telephone: +39 06 570 55836
Email: Soraya.vicentematias@fao.org

This position's responsibilities include:

- Technical Assistance: Strategic advice, co-ordination and implementation of technical assistance activities; development of programme for Technical Assistance with emphasis on pilot projects to assist Parties to improve their capacity to meet their obligations with respect to pesticides and SHPF; Resource mobilization;
- COP and subsidiary bodies: Support organizing and convening of Conferences of the Parties and Chemical Review Committee meetings;
- Supporting co-ordination: Managing financial and administrative matters;

Coordinates:

Telephone:
Email:

This position's responsibilities include:

• COP and subsidiary bodies: Support for the preparation and execution of Conference of the Parties and Chemical Review Committee meetings; coordination of CRCs inter-sessional work; scientific review of pesticide related documents for the CRC;
• Technical Assistance: Development and delivery of technical assistance with particular focus on Asia; technical and policy advice on pesticides.

Coordinates:

Telephone:
Email: