National coordination, the exchange of information on chemicals and wastes

Background

The decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions by the three Conferences of the Parties (Basel COP9 decision IX/10, Rotterdam COP4 decision RC-4/11, Stockholm COP4 decision SC-4/34) recognized that the overarching goal of all three conventions is the protection of human health and the environment for the promotion of sustainable development and that the objective of enhanced coordination and cooperation among the three conventions is to contribute to the achievement of that goal. Furthermore the conferences of the parties highlighted their conviction that action taken to enhance coordination and cooperation should be aimed at strengthening implementation of the conventions at the national, regional and global levels. 

A coordinated and cooperative approach (synergies) at national level will contribute to a common and coherent national approach to, and understanding of, chemicals and waste-related issues. This will, in turn, enhance the streamlining of policy, institutional and legal frameworks and, therefore, provide parties with elements for a life cycle based implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.

Objectives

The overall goal of this activity is to facilitate the establishment of or strengthening the existent national institutional structures and coordination mechanisms for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and other relevant international agreements in the chemicals and waste cluster, including the Minamata Convention on Mercury and SAICM.Specific objectives include the following:

  • Identifying and documenting the needs and challenges that Parties have in developing, implementing and enforcing integrated chemicals and wastes policies and legislation;
  • Enhancing the data collection and information exchange for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions as well as the early implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and SAICM; 
  • Supporting parties to develop a national strategy for the effective implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and other relevant agreements.

Recent Activities