Mandate

The mandates of the technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions are reflected in article 16, paragraph 1 (g) of the Basel Convention, article 19, paragraph 2 (b) of the Rotterdam Convention and article 20, paragraph 2 (b) of the Stockholm Convention respectively.

Article 16, paragraph (1) (g), of the Basel Convention provides that the functions of the Secretariat include receiving and conveying information from and to parties on sources of technical assistance and training, available technical and scientific know-how, sources of advice and expertise and availability of resources, with a view to assisting them, upon request, in such areas as the handling of the notification system of the Convention; the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes; environmentally sound technologies relating to hazardous wastes and other wastes, such as low- and non-waste technology; the assessment of disposal capabilities and sites; the monitoring of hazardous wastes and other wastes; and emergency responses.

Article 19, paragraph 2 (b), of the Rotterdam Convention provides that the Secretariat shall facilitate assistance to parties, particularly developing countries and countries with economies in transition, on request, in the implementation of the Convention.

Article 20, paragraph 2 (b), of the Stockholm Convention provides that the Secretariat shall facilitate assistance to the parties, particularly developing-country parties and parties with economies in transition, on request, in the implementation of the Convention.