Consultative Process on Financing Options for Chemicals and Wastes

The consultative process on financing options for chemicals and wastes was launched by the UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in recognition of the need for adequate resources in the field of chemicals and wastes management.

The process was first announced at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants held in May 2009. During the five meetings held between 2009 and 2011, discussions on financing the sound management of chemicals and wastes have deepened and matured, based on a series of background documents. It has seen the participation of developed countries, developing countries, countries with economies in transition, intergovernmental organizations, civil society and industry.

The twenty-seventh session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum, pursuant to section VIII of decision 27/12 on Chemicals and waste management, took note of the proposal by the Executive Director on his vision for making operational an integrated approach on financing sound management of chemicals and wastes as set out in document UNEP/GC.27/7. It welcomed an integrated approach to address the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes and underscored that the three components of an integrated approach, mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance, are mutually reinforcing and are all important for the financing of sound management of chemicals and wastes.

The Governing Council invited Governments, relevant organizations and entities and other stakeholders to apply an integrated approach to financing sound management of chemicals and wastes in their efforts to mobilize and manage financial resources for the sound management of chemicals and wastes at all levels. It also invited Governments to implement actions to further mainstream the sound management of chemicals and wastes in national development plans, domestic budgets and relevant sector policies.

More information on the consultative process can be accessed on the UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions website

The twenty-seventh session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum, pursuant to section VIII of decision 27/12 on Chemicals and waste management, also invited Governments to consider establishing, through an existing institution, a special programme, funded by voluntary contributions, to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the future Minamata Convention and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

The Governing Council requested the Executive Director to facilitate and support a country-led meeting of governments and regional economic integration organizations. The meeting is to be open to interested stakeholders, including potential donors, the private sector, civil society, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Global Environment Facility, other relevant intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions and the secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, to further develop terms of reference for such a special programme.

A meeting was subsequently held in Bangkok from 27 to 30 August 2013 to discuss the Terms of Reference for the Special Programme.

More information visit the UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions website.