As global chemical production is projected to double by 2030, countries are under growing pressure to strengthen systems that protect people and the environment from harmful chemicals and pollution. Yet many still face major gaps in the financing, technical capacity and institutional readiness needed to reduce exposure, strengthen monitoring, improve legislation and advance safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Exposure to harmful chemicals and pollution contributes to millions of deaths and significant disease burden every year. Addressing these risks increasingly requires stronger national systems, better coordination across sectors and sustained investment that can turn global commitments into practical action on the ground.
To help accelerate action, the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) Fund is supporting country-driven efforts to implement the Global Framework on Chemicals, adopted by nations in 2023 to help achieve a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste. Through periodic calls for applications, the Fund helps countries strengthen legislation, improve institutional coordination, build technical capacity and advance practical solutions that reduce harm across the lifecycle of chemicals and waste. The Fund also supports pilot initiatives and enabling conditions that can help unlock broader national implementation and investment.
The first round of applications to the Fund (1 October 2024 to 31 January 2025) saw four projects approved spanning 11 countries across Africa and Latin America, with three projects already under implementation and a fourth nearing launch. Activities include strengthening industrial chemicals management through regional cooperation, improved legislation, information systems and capacity-building; reducing risks from highly hazardous pesticides through regulation and sustainable alternatives; supporting agroecological approaches to replace hazardous pesticides; and advancing implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
Demand for support from countries is rising rapidly. The second round of applications (30 September 2025 to 15 December 2025) to the GFC Fund attracted a substantial number of concept notes that far exceeded available funding capacity. The high number of applications reflects both growing commitment from countries to implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals and the significant unmet demand for financing and technical support for the safe and sustainable management of chemicals and waste.
“Stakeholders are central to turning the vision of the Global Framework on Chemicals into real action and measurable impact at the national level,” said Kay Williams, Head of the Global Framework on Chemicals Secretariat. “The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund is helping countries move from commitment to implementation, but significantly greater investment and stronger partnerships will be needed to meet the scale of the challenge.”
This growing momentum comes ahead of the first International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals, to be held from 16 to 20 November 2026 in Geneva under the themes “Tracking progress | Accelerating action | Investing for Impact.” The Conference will provide a critical opportunity to accelerate the shift from reacting to pollution toward preventing harm by design, while strengthening alignment on data, indicators and accountability systems needed to track progress and scale investment in solutions that deliver impact.
About the Global Framework on Chemicals and its Fund
The Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) is a voluntary multistakeholder and multisectoral international framework that supports countries and stakeholders in developing and implementing solutions for the safe and sustainable management of chemicals and waste. It is coordinated by the GFC Secretariat, hosted under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The GFC Fund is one of main financing mechanisms of the Framework supporting countries to turn ambition into action on the ground. It is voluntarily funded, with generous contributions and pledges so far received from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Finland, Belgium, the United States of America, the European Commission and the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). Learn how to contribute to the Fund.
