The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs were adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs aim to meet the dual challenge of overcoming poverty and protecting the planet. They highlight a comprehensive vision of sustainable development that embraces economic, social and environmental dimension.
The goal of this community of practice is to facilitate discussions with various stakeholders from different sectors on documents and other knowledge materials being developed around the linkages between chemical management and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including gender (learn more about SDGs here).
Another key goal is how to bring in and engage with the youth in relation to chemicals and the sustainable development goals.
Past sessions
Online discussion: Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs
Download the community of practice summary of discussions
The organisation work on chemicals over the years has been tremendously useful to both national government policy issues and industry's processes towards environment. As the NGO SAICM focal point on chemicals and waste, our studies in lead in paint formed the basis for the current 90ppm mandatory standard in place as well as the ongoing regulation by the appropriate agency. Our past case studies on mercury added products and its associated advocacy work assisted the Nigerian government in the ratification and the current implementation of the minamata convention. The organisation's strong national campaign, studies and advocacy has been the main
Working with the Secretariat of the Bamako Convention at UNEP enables to support Parties in implementing their treaty obligations in prohibiting and controlling the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and chemicals in Africa.
Our works contribute to a better policy and regulations related to chemicals and waste issues, especially heavy metals and chemicals in products. We advocate cleaner productions, safer alternatives, and national standard, supported by new law or revised law. We also work with all stakeholders, ranging from producers/manufacturers, safer alternatives providers, workers union, academia, consumer groups, procurement group, law makers, and government officials. We conduct awareness raising to attract the general public about certain issues, collect samples, analyse it in qualified laboratories, and disseminate it to the public aimed to influence the policy change and regulations.
Our work or research contribute to a healthier environment through:Awareness raising of stakeholders including women and youth on the negative effect of the using of pesticides on their health and environment,Capacity building through traing of trainers on the bet best practices and techniques to protect the environment,Training of the farmers on the alternatives to the chemical products and their waste,Advocacy to policy makers and authorities to accelerate the voting the laws or decret or arrete on the chemical products and waste in Benin,Social media through press release, radio, TV ans mobile phone to disseminate the information to sensitize the farmers
Publications on heavy metals in artisanal and small scale gold mining in Kenya in contributed alot on environmental distribution of heavy metals from ASGM.