United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is implementing a Japan-funded project called “Project for promoting the Minamata Convention on Mercury by making the most of Japan's knowledge and experiences” to support its member states for the implementation of the Convention. The project has a special focus on the area of information exchange, awareness and education, research, development, and monitoring. A comprehensive programme was designed to strengthen enabling capacity, build on the resources in and around Minamata, and employ technologies held by institutions in Japan for the effective implementation of the Convention’s obligations.
Effective mercury trade enforcement requires tailored national strategies that align with each country’s regulatory and operational context. This in-country training focuses on practical, hands-on exercises to enhance coordination among customs officers, environmental regulators, and law enforcement authorities. Strengthening inter-agency collaboration is essential for detecting, monitoring, and preventing mercury trade, which remains a persistent challenge.
This initiative aims to equip national enforcement agencies with the technical skills and enforcement tools necessary to combat mercury smuggling. By integrating regional collaboration with country-specific training, the program fosters a comprehensive enforcement network, enhancing national and cross-border cooperation to improve compliance with the Minamata Convention and other trade regulations.
The regional training initiative aims to equip customs officers, environmental regulators, and law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to detect and control mercury trade. Key areas of focus include regulatory compliance, risk assessment, intelligence-sharing, and forensic analysis. By building enforcement capacity and fostering regional cooperation, the program seeks to establish a sustainable enforcement network that enhances regulatory compliance and safeguards public health and ecosystems.
In addition to the in-person workshop planned in Sri lanka, Mongolia and Palau, national stakeholders are also invited to participate in a series of online training sessions. These brief online webinars will provide key context to the issues related to mercury, global mercury trade and the obligations of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Attendees of all sessions will receive a Certificate of Participation.
For more information, please contact japanmercuryproject@un.org
