The Global Framework on Chemicals Resolutions

The Conference, 

Recalling its resolution IV/4, in which it decided to initiate an intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, 

Commending the outcome of the intersessional process, namely recommendations for a new global framework building on the unique voluntary multisectoral and multi-stakeholder nature of the Strategic Approach, embedding a programmatic approach to the implementation of a new global framework and enhancing engagement with stakeholders of key economic and industrial sectors that produce, commercialize and use chemicals and waste,

Welcoming with appreciation the outcomes of deliberations held by ministers, heads of delegation and representatives of civil society and the private sector assembled at the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management, held in Bonn, Germany, from 25 to 29 September 2023,

Taking note of the Bonn Declaration for a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, endorsed by ministers, heads of delegation and stakeholder leaders, which stresses the critical need to address the pollution crisis, the urgent need for global action in this regard, and their commitment to implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, developed by the Conference,

1.    Welcomes and adopts the Bonn Declaration for a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, set out in annex I to the present resolution, as an integral part of the Framework;

2.    Adopts the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, set out in annex II to the present resolution, as a new voluntary global framework in the field of international chemicals and waste management, as a successor to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

Text of Resolution V/1

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Text of the Bonn Declaration - Read the text

The Conference,

Having met in Bonn, Germany, from 25 to 29 September 2023, at the gracious invitation of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany,

Convinced that the efforts made by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and by the authorities and city of Bonn in providing facilities, premises and other resources contributed significantly to the smooth and successful conduct of the proceedings, 

Deeply appreciative of the courtesy and hospitality extended by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the city of Bonn to the governmental, intergovernmental and non‑governmental participants and the staff members of the secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme attending the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management,

1.    Expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the city of Bonn and, through them, to the people of the Federal Republic of Germany for the cordial welcome which they accorded to the Conference, and in particular to those associated with the work of the Conference for their contribution to the success of the Conference;

2.    Expresses its gratitude to the Governments of Brazil, Sweden, Uruguay, Thailand, Romania and Kenya for hosting meetings under the intersessional process, and to all other donor Governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders for contributing financial and in-kind support to the successful outcome of the intersessional process and the Conference;

3.    Voices its appreciation to the co-chairs and co-facilitators of the intersessional process and to all the stakeholders of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management that contributed to the work of the intersessional process leading to the development of recommendations for the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste through shared dedication and cooperation towards achieving our common aim of protecting human health and the environment; 

4.    Expresses appreciation for the support of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme for the Strategic Approach process and its activities.
 

Text of Resolution V/2
  
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The Conference,

Having incorporated financial considerations within the text of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

1.    Welcomes the prompt launching of the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste; 

2.    Requests the secretariat, in collaboration with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and all relevant stakeholders, to assess the existing financial and investment flows as well as financial needs associated with the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, including information on domestic accounting. This assessment could inform stakeholders’ discussions at the next session of the Conference;

3.    Welcomes the financial and non-financial contributions of the private sector, including and beyond the chemical industry, to the sound management of chemicals and waste to date and encourages their commitment to achieving the objectives of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste; 

4.    Invites relevant participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to update the existing costs of inaction report, [1] taking into account quality-assured new research and the latest information relating to economic and social costs of unsound management of chemicals and waste at the national, regional and international levels;

Global Environment Facility

5.    Welcomes with appreciation the robust increases in the chemicals and waste focal area made by donors to the eighth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, including to support progress towards the objectives of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

6.    Encourages the Global Environment Facility to continue to assist recipient countries in accessing resources for the sound management of chemicals and waste in a timely and efficient manner, including through reporting on projects that support the sound management of chemicals and waste at meetings of the Facility’s Council through their relations with conventions and other institutions’ agenda items;

7.    Encourages Governments, as part of the ninth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, to duly consider ways to increase the financial resources allocated for the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

Special Programme

8.    Welcomes with appreciation the decision taken by the United Nations Environment Assembly at its fifth session, in its resolution 5/7, to extend the duration of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management for a period of five years, and to include the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 in the Special Programme;

9.    Encourages States members of the United Nations Environment Assembly to consider reviewing the terms of reference of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention and the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste at its next session, taking into consideration the need for the implementation of the Framework;

Global Framework on Chemicals Fund 

10.    Decides to establish a Global Framework on Chemicals Fund for supporting the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, building on the outcomes of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management; 

11.    Also decides to adopt the terms of reference of the Fund, as set out in the annex to the present resolution, on a provisional basis; 

12.    Decides that the objective of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund is to support implementation activities in developing countries, least developed countries, small island developing States and countries with economies in transition; 

13.    Calls for the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund to include a United Nations Environment Programme trust fund and multilateral, bilateral and other forms of cooperation; 

14.    Invites Governments in a position to do so; regional economic integration organizations; intergovernmental organizations; the private sector, including industry; foundations and non-governmental organizations; and other stakeholders to contribute to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund; 

15.    Adopts the strategic priorities for the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund as set out in the annex to the present resolution; 

16.    Invites the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to establish a time-limited voluntary trust fund to provide resources to support the objectives of the Fund in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the annex to the present resolution;

17.    Decides that at its next session the Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste will review the provisionally adopted terms of reference of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund, taking into account the assessment referred to in paragraph 2 above;

18.    Invites Governments in a position to do so; regional economic integration organizations; the private sector, including industry; foundations and non-governmental organizations; and other stakeholders to contribute to the voluntary trust fund; 

19.    Decides to establish the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board, consisting of two national Government representatives of each United Nations region and representatives of all the bilateral and multilateral donors and other contributors to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund; 

20.    Requests the secretariat of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to facilitate meetings of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board; 

21.    Decides that, at each session of the Conference, two national Government representatives of each United Nations region will be appointed to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board for the following intersessional period; 

22.    Welcomes the contributions to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund transferred from the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund and those already offered by the Governments of Germany and France.

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[1] United Nations Environment Programme, Costs of Inaction on the Sound Management of Chemicals (2013). Available at - Costs of inaction on the sound management of chemicals-2013Report_Cost_of_Inaction_Feb2013.pdf (unep.org).
 

Annex to resolution V/3

Terms of reference of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund for the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste

A.    Administering organization 
1.    The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme is invited to establish and manage a trust fund to support the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste. The Framework secretariat will provide administrative support to the trust fund. This trust fund to support the Global Framework for Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste shall be separate from the existing trust fund used for the expenses of the Framework secretariat and the intergovernmental process.

B.    Objective 
2.    The trust fund will provide resources to support the objective and strategic priorities of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste.

C.    Time limit 
3.    The trust fund will be open to receive voluntary contributions for five years from the date on which it is established by the Executive Director. Funds may be disbursed for a maximum of seven years from that date.

D.    Strategic priorities 
4.    The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund should mobilize resources for national priority activities in keeping with the work areas set out in the strategic objectives and targets of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste.

E.    Sources of financing 
5.    Contributions shall be encouraged from Governments, regional economic integration organizations, the private sector, including industry, foundations, other non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.

F.    Eligibility rules 
6.    Developing countries and countries with economies in transition will be eligible for support. Approval of projects meeting the objectives outlined in the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste will take into account considerations related to geographic and sectoral balance and will pay particular attention to urgent needs and the requirements of least developed countries and small island developing States. 

7.    Project proposals may be presented by those Governments participating in the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste that have endorsed or given other appropriate formal recognition of and support for the Framework, through the relevant Governments. Project proposals must contain full justification for the amount sought. 

8.    On an exceptional basis and with regard to the resources and administrative capacity available, representatives of civil society networks participating in the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste shall also be eligible to present project proposals, subject to endorsement by the countries hosting the projects.

G.    Project assessment and approval 
9.    The participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals may provide technical assistance in the development of project proposals when requested to do so by project proponents. 
10.    Project proposals will be country-driven and will be submitted to the Framework secretariat and screened for completeness and eligibility. 
11.    Screened projects will be submitted by the secretariat of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to the Executive Board of the Fund for appraisal and approval. 
12.    Independent monitoring and evaluation and reporting on project implementation to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board will be the responsibility of project proponents.

H.    Guidance by the Executive Board 
13.    The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board will review reports on project implementation, as well as from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on the financial resources and administration of the trust fund, and provide guidance and take decisions thereon. 
14.    The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund Executive Board will report to the Conference at its regular sessions on the operations of the Fund.

I.    Accounts and audit 
15.    The accounts and financial management of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund shall be subject to the internal and external audit process of the United Nations. Accounts for the trust fund shall be presented to the Executive Board as soon as possible after the financial period is closed and shall also be considered by the Conference. 

Text of Resolution V/3

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The Conference,

Taking into account the principles and approaches mentioned in section IV of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 70/1, “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, and its Sustainable Development Goals 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) and 17 (strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development),

Recalling also the Economic and Social Council’s agreed conclusions 1997/2 of 18 July 1997 on mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system [1] and its resolution 2012/24, on mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system, which welcomed the development of the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women,

Recalling further General Assembly resolution 75/1 of 21 September 2020 on the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, and specifically paragraph 11, on placing women and girls at the centre and accelerating action to achieve gender equality, women’s participation and the empowerment of women and girls in all domains,

Recalling United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 4/17 on promoting gender equality and the human rights and empowerment of women and girls in environmental governance,

Recognizing that gender equality is relevant to chemicals and waste management,

Underlining the importance of involving women at all levels of decision-making in order to ensure their equal participation and leadership, 

Welcoming actions by all stakeholders to promote gender equality, to create the necessary conditions to empower all women and girls in the context of chemicals and waste management, and to support addressing the global pollution crisis, including through the Gender and Chemicals Partnership,

Emphasizing the importance of gender mainstreaming for further promoting gender equality and the rights and empowerment of all women and girls to ensure the effective implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, and the need to address gender-differentiated impacts of chemical exposure,

1.    Requests the secretariat, with the participation of interested stakeholders, to develop a gender action plan for consideration by the Conference at its next session in order to advance towards full, equal and meaningful participation by all women in decision-making, and to promote gender responsive policies and mainstreaming a gender perspective in the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, taking into account progress made in mainstreaming a gender perspective; 

2.    Encourages all stakeholders to support interim actions towards the goals mentioned in paragraph 1 above, such as the development of national gender action plans and any other actions to promote gender equality and to create the necessary conditions for all women and girls to empower themselves in chemicals and waste management, including, but not limited to, multisectoral and multi stakeholder partnerships, promoting and incorporating gender-specific tools, gender disaggregated data collection methods, and research to better understand the links between gender, chemicals and waste;

3.    Requests the secretariat to foster collaboration, as appropriate, with secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements and with relevant United Nations agencies and programmes, including UN-Women, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant partners in the field of gender equality, in relation to the implementation of the Global Framework [2] on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

4.    Invites all stakeholders to include information on progress made in mainstreaming a gender perspective in their reports to the Conference.

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[1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-second Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/52/3/Rev.1), chap. IV, sect. A, para. 4.

[2] The reference to the Framework here and thereafter refers to the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste.

Text of Resolution V/4

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The Conference,

Recalling its resolutions II/4, III/2 and IV/2 on emerging policy issues and acknowledging with appreciation the cooperative actions taken by Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management stakeholders on the emerging policy issues and other issues of concern, 

Recognizing the efforts made, the progress achieved to date, and the contribution of the lead entities of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and other stakeholders to the progress made in responding to the Conference resolutions on the existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern, 

1.    Welcomes the Assessment Report on Issues of Concern [1] prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme in response to United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 4/8 on sound management of chemicals and waste; 

2.    Decides that all existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management should transition on an interim basis to “issues of concern” as part of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste until the next session of the Conference, at which time the Conference will determine their path under the Framework;

3.    Strongly encourages all relevant stakeholders to continue their work, as needed, on existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management, under the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste until the next session of the Conference;

4.    Invites the responsible Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals organizations, in consultation with stakeholders and taking into account the Inter-Organization Programme’s report on Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management emerging policy issues and other issues of concern, [2] the Assessment Report on Issues of Concern and the Global Consultation on Chemicals and Waste Issues of Concern, [3] to submit to the Conference at its next session, under the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, a report including:

    (a)    An update on progress achieved in relation to the existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the Conference indicating how the work done contributes to achieving the strategic objective(s) and targets of the Framework; 

    (b)    An analysis of opportunities to further address the emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the Conference;

    (c)    A recommendation on the future of each of these emerging policy issues and other issues of concern as an “issue of concern” under the Framework, including workplans, targets and indicators, and timelines, if relevant.

____________________

[1] United Nations Environment Programme, An Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment (2020).

[2] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/16.

[3] As reported in document SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/20.

Text of Resolution V/5

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The Conference, 

Taking note of the Millennium Development Goals, the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, [1] the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, entitled “The future we want”, [2] and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, [3] which have all addressed the chemicals and waste challenges that require comprehensive international cooperative action, 

Recalling General Assembly resolution 61/205 of 20 December 2006, in which the General Assembly welcomed the endorsement of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management by the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the United Nations Environment Programme at its ninth special session,

Taking note of the ministerial declaration of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its fifth session, entitled “Strengthening actions for nature to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, [4] which addresses the triple crises for our common environment of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,

Taking note also, in particular, of United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions 4/8 and 5/7, on the sound management of chemicals and waste, and 5/8, on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution; of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; [5] and of relevant decisions on chemicals and waste management adopted by the governing bodies of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury and other relevant international agreements,

Recalling the adoption of resolutions on the implementation of the Strategic Approach that highlight the urgent need for action across all relevant sectors, including by the governing bodies of organizations participating in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, and also decisions on international cooperation and coordination taken by the governing bodies of other international bodies and multilateral agreements,
 
Taking note with appreciation of the report on the activities undertaken by the secretariat to implement the Strategic Approach between July 2015 and June 2023, [6] as well as the information provided by stakeholders on activities undertaken to support the implementation of the Strategic Approach, including the report [7] submitted by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to the Conference at its fifth session,
 
Emphasizing the cross-cutting and cross-sectoral relevance of the sound management of chemicals and waste to many of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,

1.    Brings the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to the attention of the governing bodies of relevant intergovernmental organizations and multilateral agreements and invites them to endorse or otherwise appropriately acknowledge and support the Framework, with a view to considering, within the scope of their respective mandates, the incorporation in their programmes of work of mutually supportive activities that also contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives and targets of the Framework; 

2.    Encourages all relevant international organizations to continue promoting the broad engagement of stakeholders and sectors in national and regional efforts related to chemicals and waste;

3.    Encourages all stakeholders to consider, when implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, the important interlinkages with chemicals- and waste-related aspects of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and also those with other instruments and measures for addressing other international development challenges, in particular in relation to poverty, health, food, energy, labour, water, sanitation, climate change and biodiversity loss;

4.    Encourages the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to work closely with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, other relevant United Nations organizations, instruments and frameworks, and the secretariats of relevant multilateral agreements to foster effective cooperation and collaboration in promoting and implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

5.    Stresses the importance of the relationship with the ongoing processes to establish a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, and an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, and urges all stakeholders of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to actively participate in and contribute to the establishment of the science-policy panel and the instrument on plastic pollution;

6.    Requests the secretariat to cooperate closely with the future science-policy panel with a view to identifying issues of relevance for supporting the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and further options for fostering collaboration and cooperation to be considered by the Conference;

7.    Welcomes the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and invites stakeholders to take into account the objectives of that framework in their actions to implement the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

8.    Requests the secretariat to prepare, subject to the availability of resources and in collaboration with relevant organizations, a report on interlinkages between the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, outlining entry points for enhancing collaboration and cooperation in the implementation of the two frameworks, for consideration by the Conference at its next session;

9.    Requests the secretariat to report to the Conference at its next session on its activities to implement the present resolution, as appropriate.

____________________

[1] Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 2, annex.

[2] General Assembly resolution 66/288, annex.

[3] General Assembly resolution 70/1.

[4] UNEP/EA.5/HLS.1.

[5] Decision 15/4 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, annex.

[6] SAICM/ICCM.5/3/Rev.1.

[7] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/19.

Text of Resolution V/6

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The Conference,

Recalling that the final report of the independent evaluation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management from 2006 to 2015 [1] noted several factors that constrained national focal points’ ability to fulfil their role, and that one element highlighted was the fact that little guidance was provided to national focal points in fulfilling their functions,
 
Recognizing the gap in guidance for national focal points, and recalling that the African region, at the second session of the Conference, in 2009, proposed a set of guidelines [2] for national focal points in order to strengthen and prioritize national chemical and waste management capacities,

Noting that the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management Global Plan of Action (table B) [3] provided detailed activities and indicators for national focal points, without providing for guidance or capacity-building, 

Appreciating the important role of national focal points in the success of the process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 (Beyond 2020 process), as noted by the Bureau of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management at its eighth meeting, in January 2020, 

Recognizing the opportunity for integrating the role of national focal points with the roles of regional focal points and focal points of non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations,

Emphasizing the key role that national focal points will play in the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,
1.    Requests the secretariat to develop draft guidelines for consideration at the next session of the Conference; 
2.    Invites all stakeholders, including national focal points, and the relevant participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to provide input on the draft guidelines;
3.    Encourages the inclusion in the draft guidelines of guidance on how to build the capacity of national focal points, as well as on how national focal points can promote multisectoral collaboration and cooperation, coordinate such collaboration, and promote risk communication and awareness-raising.

____________________

[1] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/1.

[2] SAICM/ICCM.2/15, annex IV.

[3] Available at New SAICM Text with ICCM resolutions_E.pdf. (The Global Plan of Action starts on p. 26; table B is on p. 33.)

Text of Resolution V/7

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The Conference,

Having adopted the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Noting that further implementation modalities and other arrangements will be essential for transitioning to the full and effective implementation of the Framework, 

Considering that effective implementation modalities and arrangements are best established through full coordination and consultation among all involved stakeholders, 

Highlighting the dedication of the participants in the Conference and other stakeholders to expeditiously implementing the Framework to promote human health and environmental protection, and valuing the diversity that each of them brings to the process,

Considering the value and various dimensions of integrated chemicals and waste management, including development of national chemicals and waste management systems, industry action in the economic and industrial sectors along value chains, and the integration of chemicals and waste management in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, [1]

Noting the valuable preparatory activities undertaken by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals together with diverse stakeholders in the area of integrated chemicals and waste management, including for an implementation programme to scale up action by economic and industrial sectors along value chains,

Emphasizing that the possible adoption of implementation programmes at the next session of the Conference should not delay immediate stakeholder action to implement the strategic objectives and targets of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

1.    Urges Governments, intergovernmental organizations, and organizations and stakeholders representing civil society and the private sector to comprehensively implement the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste as a framework for national and international action and cooperation on chemicals and waste;

2.    Calls on all stakeholders to develop effective chemicals and waste management policies, systems and capacities that address all stages of the life cycle of chemicals in all countries, and in key economic and industrial sectors throughout the production value chains and the life cycle of chemicals; 

3.    Urges all stakeholders across the life cycle of key economic and industrial sectors, including but not limited to food and agriculture, textiles, electronics, and building and construction, to commit themselves to the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, and invites the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to play a facilitating and coordinating role in encouraging their engagement;

4.    Encourages non-governmental organizations and the private sector to support the implementation of the Framework at the local, national, regional and global levels, including through partnerships with Governments, intergovernmental organizations, regional economic integration organizations and other stakeholders;

5.    Invites the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to provide continued support for the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, including in preparing for the next session of the Conference;

6.    Also invites the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to continue assuming overall administrative responsibility for the secretariat of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and to provide for the continuity of effective secretariat services and administrative support for the implementation of Conference resolutions;

7.    Encourages the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to work closely with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, other relevant United Nations organizations, instruments and frameworks, and the secretariats of relevant multilateral agreements to foster effective cooperation and collaboration in promoting and implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

8.    Requests the secretariat, in consultation with the Bureau, to define the required arrangements for operationalizing the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste as adopted by the Conference at its fifth session, and to prepare recommendations to be considered at the next session of the Conference;

9.    Invites the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, Governments, stakeholders as defined by the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, as well as other international organizations to collaborate on and develop proposals for implementation programmes, including their respective mandates, terms of reference, workplans and other mechanisms, for further consideration at the next session of the Conference, considering, among others, the following areas of work for possible implementation programmes:

     (a)    Developing integrated national chemicals and waste management systems and capacities at the national and regional levels;

     (b)    Integrating sound chemicals and waste management in economic and industrial sectors along value chains;

     (c)    Integrating sound chemicals and waste management in sustainable development decision-making processes, as appropriate;

     (d)    Addressing issues of concern, as appropriate;

10.    Welcomes and encourages the undertaking of further activities concerning all areas of work during the intersessional period until the next session of the Conference;

11.    Requests the secretariat to report on progress in the implementation of current and future programmes and other activities and initiatives related to implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to the Conference at its next session.

____________________

[1] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/18.

Text of Resolution V/8

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The Conference,

Recognizing the importance to the success of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste of monitoring implementation, assessing effectiveness in achieving the objectives and targets, and evaluating overall impact on achieving sound chemicals and waste management, and recognizing the contribution of the Framework to protecting human health and the environment,

Appreciating the work undertaken on section XI of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, “Taking stock of progress,” by stakeholders, in particular Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals,

Referring to the measurability structure described in section XI of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, “Taking stock of progress”, and to be included in annex III to the Framework,

Specifying that the measurability structure is the basis for measuring progress by and for stakeholders, according to the process outlined in section XI of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Recognizing with appreciation the existing indicators provided in the “Inventory and analysis report: existing indicators on chemicals and waste management”, [1]

Recalling annex III to the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, which outlines the measurability structure of the Framework and its methodology for assessing progress in the Framework’s implementation and alignment with the Framework’s strategic objectives and vision,

1.    Decides to establish an open-ended ad hoc group on measurability and indicators that will work by electronic means with the aim of preparing recommendations for the finalizing of the measurability structure and a proposal for a set of indicators for annex III to the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, to be considered at the next session of the Conference;

2.    Requests the secretariat to support the work of the open-ended ad hoc group on measurability and indicators; 

3.    Invites the United Nations Statistical Commission, participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, and other relevant stakeholders to participate in the work of the open-ended ad hoc group on measurability and indicators and support the development of the measurability structure, considering relevant indicators from the “Inventory and analysis report: existing indicators on chemicals and waste management”.

____________________

[1] SAICM/IP.4/INF/39/Rev.1.

Text of Resolution V/9

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The Conference, 

Whereas World Health Assembly resolution WHA 76.17 on the impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health requests the Director General of the World Health Organization to support countries upon request, especially developing countries, in developing national or regional human biomonitoring programmes for chemicals of concern, through capacity-building and technology transfer on voluntary and mutually agreed terms and, in accordance with international obligations, to help identify potential risks in territories regarding population groups; to collect data to support the development of public policies; and to support the improvement of national health systems,

Considering the importance of implementing interventions to prevent and to provide for the early detection of exposure to chemicals and waste,

Mindful that more than half of countries worldwide do not have a poison centre, [1] 
Acknowledging the World Health Organization guidelines for establishing a poison centre, [2] which provide information on services that may be offered by a poison centre and contain detailed practical information on planning and operating such centres, 

Acknowledging also the role of poison centres, as described in the World Health Organization Chemicals Road Map, [3] to engage the health sector in the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Noting that a poison centre is a specialized unit that provides advice to prevent exposure and support for risk reduction, education and training, research, alerts regarding chemical events, and diagnosis and management of poisoning,

Recognizing the need to address the lack of availability of antidotes to counter the toxic effects of chemical poisoning and the potential to collaborate regionally on such issues,

Considering the value of poison centres to the health and safety of individuals, communities and institutions as well as their broader role in contributing to the sound management of chemicals and waste,

Considering also the important role that poison centres play in the development of public health policies relevant to multisectoral approaches to the sound management of chemicals and waste by providing a harmonized and comparable system for the collection and registration of information on cases of chronic and acute chemical exposure and for surveillance,

Recognizing the role of surveillance systems for human health as part of integrated national chemicals and waste management systems, [4] 

1.    Encourages the strengthening of institutional linkages between poison centres and health ministries/authorities and other government agencies, as appropriate, to ensure the sound management of chemicals;

2.    Encourages stakeholders to establish and strengthen surveillance systems as part of integrated national chemicals and waste management systems to assist in implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste;

3.    Encourages the development of a proposal for the creation of a global network for the collection of health surveillance data and for the analysis of trends regarding selected chemicals of concern; 

4.    Invites the World Health Assembly to consider the present resolution during its consideration of the updated Chemicals Road Map at its seventy-eighth session, and to support its implementation, as appropriate.

____________________

[1] World Health Organization Global Health Observatory, “World directory of poisons centres”, available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/indicator-groups/poison-control-and-unintentional-poisoning

[2] World Health Organization, Guidelines for Establishing a Poison Centre (2020), available at https://who.int/publications/i/item/9789240009523

[3] Available at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FWC-PHE-EPE-17.03.

[4] See World Health Organization, Guidelines for Establishing a Poison Centre, chaps. 5 (on toxicovigilance and prevention of poisoning) and 8 (on guidelines for poison centres).

Text of Resolution V/10

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The Conference, 

Mindful of the goal expressed in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development of aiming to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment, and of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015,

Recalling its resolution IV/3 on highly hazardous pesticides, which recognized highly hazardous pesticides as an issue of concern and called for concerted action to address highly hazardous pesticides in the context of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management,

Recalling also target A7 of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, which states that by 2035, stakeholders have taken effective measures to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and where safer and affordable alternatives are available; and to promote transition to and make available those alternatives,

Building on the submission presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the International Conference on Chemicals Management about scaling up efforts to address highly hazardous pesticides globally, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and others, [1]

Noting that resolution IV/3 recognized that highly hazardous pesticides cause adverse human health and environmental effects in many countries, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, 

Taking into account the principles and approaches mentioned in section IV of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Taking note of paragraphs 84 and 86 of the report [2] of the 131st session of the Council of the Food and Agricultural Organization, which recognized that organization’s role in the Strategic Approach and suggested that its activities in the framework of the Strategic Approach could include risk reduction, including the progressive ban on highly hazardous pesticides, promoting good agricultural practices, ensuring environmentally sound disposal of stockpiles of obsolete pesticides, and capacity-building in establishing national and regional laboratories, 

Affirming the importance of the contributions of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular target 2.4 [3] on sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices that help maintain ecosystems and target 3.9 on substantially reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination,

Recognizing with appreciation the significant work being done by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and others to raise awareness of and inform and guide pesticide regulators, industry, civil society and other stakeholders on the identification and elimination of unacceptable risks from highly hazardous pesticides,

Noting that the final report of the independent evaluation of the Strategic Approach from 2006 to 2015” [4] found that increased effort by Strategic Approach stakeholders to work in partnership to take action on highly hazardous pesticides and promote agroecology would both protect and enhance biodiversity and minimize the adverse impacts on health from exposure to chemical inputs for vulnerable groups,

1.    Endorses the formation of a global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides with the goal of taking effective measures to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and where safer and affordable alternatives are available; and to promote transition to and make available those alternatives, as a voluntary multi-stakeholder initiative under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization;

2.    Invites all interested stakeholders to become members of the global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides referred to in paragraph 1 above and commit themselves to its overall goal and, where appropriate, to contribute financial or in-kind resources or expertise towards the development and implementation of its activities;

3.    Requests the global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides to support the implementation of relevant targets set by the Conference at its fifth session, and, in particular, to develop and implement an action plan with clear targets and milestones for progress, developed in consultation with stakeholders and guided by the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management (2014) and the related Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (2016), which define the highly hazardous pesticides criteria and describe the approach to managing risk; this work is to build on “Initial considerations and elements of an action plan on highly hazardous pesticides”, [5] prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, in the following areas:

    (a)    Raising awareness of the human health and environmental impacts of highly hazardous pesticides;

    (b)    Identifying and promoting safer and more sustainable agricultural practices, including agroecology, integrated pest management and the use of non-chemical alternatives;

    (c)    Sharing examples of countries having successfully phased out highly hazardous pesticides;

    (d)    Supporting low- and middle-income countries in their efforts to strengthen national regulatory frameworks and phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and where safer and affordable alternatives are available; and to promote transition to and make available those alternatives;

    (e)    Mobilizing support for farmers and agricultural workers in their transition from the use of highly hazardous pesticides, where the risks have not been managed, towards less hazardous alternatives;

    (f)    Supporting the agrifood supply chain in a transition from highly hazardous pesticides to safer and affordable alternatives, where available and where the risks have not been managed;

4.    Invites the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, within the scope of their respective mandates and available resources, to coordinate the work of the global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations taking the lead role;

5.    Invites the global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides to report on progress to the Conference at its next session and to relevant regional meetings.

____________________

[1] See document SAICM/OEWG.3/INF/9, p. 67, available at https://www.saicm.org/About/OEWG/OEWGmeetings/tabid/5984/language/en-US/Default.aspx.

[2] The relevant extract from the report is available at CL 131/REP (fao.org).

[3] “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.”

[4] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/1.

[5] See document SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/16, p. 26.

Text of Resolution V/11
 

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The Conference,

Having adopted the Bonn Declaration For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, 

Recalling its resolution I/1, which invited the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Director General of the World Health Organization to provide appropriate staff and other resources, within available resources, to enable their organizations to take lead roles in their respective areas of expertise in relation to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, 

Welcoming United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/7 on sound management of chemicals and waste, in which the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme was requested to provide continuity of effective secretariat services and administrative support for the implementation of any decision made by the International Conference on Chemicals Management,

Welcoming also World Health Assembly resolution WHA76.17, on the impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health, 

Recalling that funding for the secretariat of the Strategic Approach has been provided on a voluntary basis, and noting the needs arising from the adoption of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste,

Acknowledging decisions BC-16/22, RC-11/9 and SC-11/21, on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations, adopted by the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, with a view to enhancing coordination and cooperation between the conventions and the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, promoting the sound management of chemicals and waste, strengthening the implementation of the conventions at the national and regional levels, and fostering capacity-building efforts,

Cognizant of the ongoing negotiations to end plastic pollution, pursuant to United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/14, entitled “End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument”, and of Environment Assembly resolution 5/8 on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, as well as the potential interlinkages between the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and those processes,

Taking note of the secretariat activities and budget document for 2024–2026, [1] 

1.    Notes with appreciation the work carried out by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach since the adoption of the Strategic Approach; 

2.    Invites the secretariat to further increase cooperation with the World Health Organization to continue and strengthen the involvement of the health sector in the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste; 

3.    Approves the indicative programme of work, budget and staffing structure for the secretariat for the period 2024–2026 as presented in tables 1 and 2 of the annex to the present resolution;

4.    Invites the secretariat to further increase cooperation and coordination with relevant stakeholders, such as the secretariats of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as the secretariats of the bodies negotiating an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution and the establishment of a science-policy panel, and the secretariats of the resulting future instruments, on issues of common relevance;

5.    Takes note of the adoption of procedural decisions on organizational, administrative and budgetary matters during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic via a silent procedure when the Conference was not in session; 

6.    Decides on the use of the remaining cash balance of the Quick Start Programme trust fund of 2,492,746.53 United States dollars, which consisted of refunds from implementing partners, final donor contributions, and the accumulated trust fund interest income gained over the years, as set out in resolution V/3 on financial considerations;

7.    Encourages all Governments and other stakeholders in a position to do so, in accordance with the integrated approach to financing the sound management of chemicals and wastes, to contribute financial and other resources to enable the secretariat to perform its mandated functions as set out in the resolutions of the Conference; 

8.    Requests the secretariat to report to the Conference at its next session on its activities, staffing and budget; 

9.    Also requests the secretariat to prepare a budget for the period 2027–2029 for consideration by the Conference at its next session, explaining the key principles, assumptions and strategy on which the budget is based, and presenting expenditures for that period in a programmatic format and broken down by budget activity;

10.    Decides that the timing of future meetings of the Open-ended Working Group beyond 2025 will be decided on by the Conference. 

____________________

[1] See document SAICM/ICCM.5/3/Rev.1.

Annex to resolution V/12 - Read the annex

Text of Resolution V/12

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