Governments initiated partnership activities at Governing Council 23 and have subsequently strengthened the role of partnerships to effectively deliver mercury activities. 

Governing Council 25/5 specified the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership as one of the main mechanisms for the delivery of immediate actions on mercury during the negotiation of the global mercury convention.

The overall goal of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership is to protect human health and the global environment from the release of mercury and its compounds by minimizing and, where feasible, ultimately eliminating global, anthropogenic mercury releases to air, water and land.

The Partnership currently has seven identified Priorities for Action (or partnership areas) that are reflective of the major source categories. 

To become a partner, interested entities or individuals should submit a letter to UNEP signifying their support for the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership and their commitment to achieving its goal, and specifying how they will contribute to meeting the goal of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership.