Risk Reduction Discussed at Rotterdam Convention Conference

Geneva, 23 September 2004 – To the sound of ringing endorsements by Ministers and senior officials from 130 Governments, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade has been successfully launched on it mission to protect human health and the environment from toxic hazards.

This week’s meeting – the first conference of the Convention’s member States since the agreement entered into force on 24 February – has agreed to add 14 new hazardous chemicals and pesticides to an initial “watch list” of 27 substances.

“By increasing the number of hazardous chemicals and pesticides that require prior informed consent before being exported by almost 50%, Governments have given the Rotterdam Convention an enthusiastic vote of confidence,” said Assistant Director-General Louise Fresco of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN which, together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), provides the Convention’s secretariat.

By the time the conference ends tomorrow (Friday), it will also have established a Chemical Review Committee that assess future proposals to add new chemicals and pesticides to the Prior Informed Consent list, thus keeping the Convention dynamic and up-to-date. Agreements on a technical assistance strategy, a budget, non-compliance procedures and other systems and processes will strengthen the Convention’s day-to-day operations.

“Technical assistance for developing countries will be vital for the Convention’s long-term success,” said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer. “Both national and international resources will be needed to maintain momentum and ensure that the Rotterdam Convention achieves a universal membership.”

The conference must still decide on whether to locate the permanent FAO/UNEP secretariat of the Convention in Geneva and Rome or in Bonn. The results of a Friday morning vote are expected to be announced at 13h.

Five hundred delegates have participated in this week’s meeting. The next ministerial conference will be held in about one year.

Note to journalists: For more information, see www.pic.int or contact:

FAO: Erwin Northoff in Rome at (+39 06) 5705 3105, fax 5705 3729, erwin.northoff@fao.org.

UNEP: Michael Williams at the conference in Geneva at +41-22-917-8242, +41-79-409-1528 (cell) or michael.williams@unep.ch. At UNEP’s Nairobi headquarters, please contact Spokesman and Director of Information Eric Falt at +254-2-62-3292, +254-733-682656 (cell) or eric.falt@unep.org; or Head of Media Relations Nick Nuttall at +254-2-62-3084, +254-733-632755 (cell) or nick.nuttall@unep.org.