Important developments from the recent international negotiations that took place under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Triple Conference of the Parties (COPs) and preparation for the fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) have been presented in a briefing to permanent missions.

Between 4 and 15 May, parties to the three chemicals conventions agreed on 73 decisions aimed at ensuring protection against hazardous chemicals and waste. The negotiations for the biennial event brought almost 1,200 participants from 171 countries to Geneva.

In a subsequent briefing organised in the context of the Geneva Environment Network on 7 July, Gabriela Eigenmann, Senior Policy Advisor for the International Affairs Division of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment - provided her perspective on the factors leading to successes at the negotiations and lessons learned.

National representatives were also briefed on the upcoming fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management, which will take place from 28 September to 2 October in Geneva (see On the Calendar section).

Participants furthermore received an update on the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at national level towards implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

For the full agenda of the briefing documents related to the meeting and in order to view the presentations made, please click here.
For more information please contact diana.rizzolio@unep.org