Events

When: Monday 9 December, 1pm to 3pm CET

Where: Online Teams - Registration link

Side Event: Phasing down the use of dental amalgam: Insights from Asia, Africa and South America  - A side event during the WHO Global oral health meeting

When: Thursday 28 November, 17:00 to 18:00

Where: Bangkok, Thailand

BACKGROUND:

The Sixteenth International Conference On Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP-16 took place from 21 to 26 July 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, in South Africa. The meeting was a great opportunity to learn more on existing research and interact with a wide range of scientists and stakeholders on mercury science.

The second meeting of the Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products project stakeholders group took place online on Tuesday 21 May 2024.

The event provided an opportunity to share updates and lessons learned from the GEF project on “Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products” and hear from stakeholders regarding their experiences. 

As part of its support for the implementation of the Minamata Convention, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is funding the project Phasing out mercury measuring devices in healthcare, which is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the World Health Organization (WHO) as the executing agency, and the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership to provide targeted technical assistance.

The Global Mercury Partnership and its two areas of work on mercury in products and waste management, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, organized a webinar on Monday 18 December 2023.

The First meeting of the Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products project stakeholders group took place online on Tuesday 28 November 2023.

Skin lightening products often contain potentially harmful ingredients, including steroids, hydroquinone and toxic mercury compounds, that not only damage the skin but can lead to serious health concerns.

Using cosmetics to inhibit the body’s production of melanin, leading the skin to appear lighter, is a centuries-old practice that continues in many parts of the world today. However, consumers are often unaware that these products contain a host of harmful chemicals including mercury, causing skin rashes and discoloration, scarring, nervous, digestive and immune system damage, as well as anxiety and depression.

Interested in knowing more about the Minamata Convention and biodiversity, mercury pollution and its impacts on wildlife, or existing approaches to sustainable conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems? Join our virtual event on Thursday 12 October.

Join the Movement for Environmental Justice!

In a world grappling with environmental crises, marginalized groups like Indigenous Peoples are the unsung heroes of sustainable development. Their wisdom, traditions and values hold the key to our planet's future. But lurking at the heart of their struggle is the menacing specter of MERCURY.