Events

In 2020, SAICM established four CoPs – Highly Hazardous Pesticides, Chemicals in Products, Lead in Paint, and Chemicals and the Sustainable Development Goals – that have led successful knowledge exchanges. While the activities of these communities came to an end in 2022, the SAICM Secretariat is continuing the momentum with a single, all-inclusive CoP on chemicals and waste management, in partnership with the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP). This discussion is the first in the series in 2023.

On 28 November 2018, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Second Committee adopted by consensus a resolution calling for a midterm review of the Water Action Decade at UNGA 77 in 2023. Officially known as the UN 2023 Water Conference, the UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development,’ will take place from 22-24 March 2023, in New York, US, to coincide with World Water Day

During the Fourth Meeting of the Intersessional Process (IP4) for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 in Bucharest, Romania, which took place from 29 August to 2 September 2022, it was agreed that a resumed session of IP4 would be held in early 2023.

The 13th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG-13) will take place in February 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. The OEWG is one of the subsidiary bodies of the Basel Convention and, among other things, assists the Basel Convention Conference of the Parties (COP) in developing and keeping under continuous review, the implementation of the Convention’s work plan, specific operational policies, and decisions taken by the Conference. Follow Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage of the meeting here. To

The Second Segment of the first session of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on a Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution (OEWG 1.2) will address procedural matters, including the election of its Chair and Bureau, as well as the rules of procedure for the conduct of its work.

The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have established a Community of Practice (CoP) on Highly Hazardous Pesticides to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).

The first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (Plastic Pollution INC-1), will take place from 28 November to 2 December 2022. This meeting is being held pursuant to the resolution adopted by the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), which requests the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director to convene an INC to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic

The 63rd meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council will take place in Washington, D.C., US, in from 28 November to 2 December 2022. The GEF Council is the GEF’s main governing body, comprising 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from developing countries, and two from economies in transition). Council members rotate at different intervals determined by each constituency. The Council, which meets twice annually, develops, adopts, and evaluates the operational