The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on Mercury (INC4) will be held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 27 June to 2 July 2012.

The fourth session of the committee will take place at the "Conrad Punta del Este Resort & Casino" in Punta del Este, Uruguay, and will be preceded on 26 June by regional consultations and pre-sessional events, as appropriate. 

Delegates are reminded of the need for nationals of some countries to obtain a visa to enter Uruguay, as well as any required transit visas for the journey. A note on information for participants is now available on the INC4 Participants Information webpage.

Non-governmental organizations are reminded of the need for accreditation to participate in the negotiating process as an observer. More information can be found here.

Intersessional work:

As agreed at the third session of the committee, Governments were invited to consider submitting their views regarding financial resources and technical and implementation assistance by 31 December 2012. Submissions and further information on the interessional work is available here. 

Bureau meeting and informal consultations:

A meeting of the INC Bureau was held in Geneva on 2 February 2012 and was preceded by informal consultations on 31 January and 1 February 2012, with other delegates who performed coordination and facilitation roles at the third session of the INC in Nairobi, including contact group co-chairs and regional group coordinators. More information is available here. 

Regional consultations:

Regional meetings to assist Governments in preparing for INC4 will be taking place in May 2012. Further information is available here.

Please contact the secretariat should you require additional assistance.