Ninth Special Programme Executive Board Meeting to support institutional strengthening for the sound management of chemicals and waste

The ninth meeting of the Executive Board of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the Minamata convention, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Global Framework on Chemicals took place in hybrid format in Geneva, Switzerland from 8 to 10 April 2024.  

The main objective of the meeting was to review the eligible and complete applications submitted for the seventh round of applications for funding from the Special Programme and consider arrangements for the launch of the eighth round of applications.  

The Executive Board approved 8 projects amounting to US$1,9 million. The approved projects were selected taking into account the project’s merits, regional balance and priority to countries with least capacity, taking into account the special needs of least development countries and small island developing states, as listed below: 

Angola2: Supporting the strengthening of Angola’s National capacity to implement the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions including SAICM.   

Eritrea: Country Driven Institutional Strengthening for Promoting an Integrated Approach to Address the Sound Management of Chemicals and Wastes.  

Guinea: Institutional capacity building for the improvement and implementation of the synergy between the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata conventions and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in the Republic of Guinea. 

Nigeria: Strengthening National Infrastructural and Human Capacity for Sound Chemicals and Waste Management in Nigeria. 

Sri Lanka: Institutional Strengthening for proper management of chemicals and waste and their waste. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Strengthening the synergies between the Basel, Rotterdam Stockholm Conventions and SAICM in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Moldova3: Scaling up sustainable management of chemicals and waste in Moldova to accelerate transition to a toxic free environment.   

St Lucia: Building the foundation for a Comprehensive Framework for Sound Chemicals and Waste Management in Saint Lucia  

In approving the arrangements for the launch of the eighth round of funding, which will take place on 24 April 2024, the Executive Board adopted recommendations to enhance regional/multi-country applications. The Board also during the meeting adopted a risk management framework for the Special Programme and an updated Communications Strategy.