Mercury Wastes Management in countries: latest advances and experience in protecting human health and the Environment - Minamata COP-6 event

As part of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) of the Minamata Convention together with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions Secretariat (BRS Secretariat) are organising an event on Friday 7 November from 14:00 to 14:45 at the Centre International de Conference, Geneva, Switzerland.

The improper management of mercury added-products wastes poses significant risks to human health and the environment worldwide. Countries are implementing activities and projects to strengthen their capacities to manage mercury waste in an environmentally sound manner, for example when they dispose of mercury containing products upon becoming waste. Some examples are the implementation of projects respectively aiming at phasing down and phasing out the use of dental amalgam, mercury containing medical devices and lighting sources. 

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal provides Parties with a range of control measures, through its provisions, technical guidelines, and training tools to address the environmentally sound management (ESM) of mercury waste.  

The event will provide updates on the work on ESM of mercury wastes under the Basel Convention and present training tools on the coordinated implementation of the Basel and the Minamata conventions regarding mercury waste thresholds under the Minamata Convention. It will also raise awareness of the importance of cooperation and coordination between the Basel and the Minamata Convention national authorities in the countries implementing ESM of mercury wastes, with concrete case studies from projects.

Target audience

• Minamata Convention Focal points and governments’ representatives from Ministries in charge of Environment and Health;
• Representatives from hazardous/mercury waste management facilities;
• IGOs and NGOs providing technical assistance in the sound management of hazardous/mercury wastes;
• Country representatives designated to implement other related MEAs such as Basel Convention Focal Points and Competent Authorities;
• Industry representatives;
• Any interested person in ESM of mercury wastes.

Expected results

• Implications of the unsound management of mercury wastes addressed;
• Highlights from ongoing projects provided;
• Key achievements in terms of mercury wastes management at local, regional and/or global level disseminated;
• Countries’ experience shared;
• Raised awareness of training tools on the coordinated implementation of the Basel and Minamata Conventions on ESM of mercury waste.

Speakers:

• Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 
• Francesca Cenni, Basel Rotterdam, Stockholm Conventions Secretariat,
• Eisaku Toda, Minamata Convention Secretariat
• Angels Castellnou, BATREC, Switzerland
• Gabriela Medina, Ministry of the Environment on behalf of the Public Health Ministry, Uruguay
• Ludovic Bernaudat,  GEF Chemicals and Wastes Unit, UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch