The first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on Mercury (INC1) was held in Stockholm, from 7 to 11 June 2010.


Photo: Christer Lundin - Stockholm Visitors Board

The first session of the committee marked the formal launch of negotiations.

During the session, the committee adopted the rules of procedure under which it would operate and elected Mr. Fernando Lugris (Uruguay) Chair of the committee, as well as nine vice-chairs that together form the Bureau of the INC. Delegations then had the opportunity to present initial views on each of the provisions listed in the negotiating mandate.

The committee concluded by requesting the secretariat to prepare additional documents to support discussion at its next session, including a paper containing possible “draft elements of a comprehensive approach to mercury” for the instrument based on views expressed during the session and in subsequent written submissions.

Read the full INC1 meeting report.

Presentations made at the technical briefing session on Sunday 6 June 2010 are available here.