Managing mercury wastes in the healthcare sector: from existing tools to inclusive applications - Minamata COP6 side event

Ahead of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) of the Minamata Convention, the Global Mercury Partnership, its areas of work on mercury in products and waste management together with the World Health Organization are organising an online side-event scheduled on Tuesday 14 October 2025 11:00 to 12:00 CEST.

The event aims at presenting latest tools and case studies highlighting collaborative efforts to support the safe and sound handling of dental amalgam and mercury containing medical devices wastes, ultimately reducing mercury exposure to protect human health and the environment.

Provisional agenda

Opening remarks and scene setting - Grace Halla, UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch

1) Synergetic approach for the sound management of mercury added products wastes in the healthcare sector:

• Mapping of existing mercury waste management facilities worldwide, and key highlights for mercury containing products - Christabel Chilekwa Mibenge, Global Mercury Partnership
• Experiences on Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Mercury-containing Medical Measuring Devices - Guilberto Borongan, Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific

2) Countries experiences and perspectives for handling mercury wastes at national level

• Progress, challenges and needs for the sound management of mercury medical devices wastes in national health facilities - DUKANOVIC Gordana, World Health Organization Montenegro, and  Ledjana Bojaxhi, Mercury waste expert, Albania 

Questions and Answers - Interactive session 

Next steps and closing remarks - Grace Halla, UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch 

The side event will be moderated by the Global Mercury Partnership.