Phasing-down the Use of Dental Amalgam Global kick-off meeting

In the context of its support for the implementation of the Minamata Convention, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved  the project Accelerate implementation of dental amalgam provisions and strengthen country capacities in the environmental sound management of associated wastes under the Minamata Convention, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) respectively as implementing and executing agencies, with targeted technical assistance from the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, and participation of three countries, namely Senegal, Thailand and Uruguay.

Agencies, countries and invited stakeholders therefore came together on Friday 28 of April 2023 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland for the official launch of the GEF 7 Phasing Down Dental Amalgam project. The meeting aimed at:

• Introducing the project framework and objectives, scope, timeline and deliverables;  
• Further understanding participating countries’ national context, notably in terms of challenges, needs and opportunities;
• Reaching a common understanding of the project components and activities; and  
• Discussing roles and responsibilities among agencies and counterparts, and concerned stakeholders.