Sub-regional meeting - Elimination skin-lightening cosmetic products containing mercury in Africa region

From January 20 to 22, 2025, Libreville hosted a landmark regional workshop, bringing together 15 African nations to develop a unified strategy to eliminate harmful skin-lightening products containing mercury and other hazardous substances. This marked the first regional initiative of its kind, signaling a significant step toward safeguarding public health and the environment across the continent.

Under the patronage of Gabon’s First Lady, the workshop convened over 200 experts, including civil society representatives, researchers, and private sector stakeholders, alongside Gabon’s Prime Minister, 12 Gabonese ministers, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, and high-level representatives from Africa and the international community. Organized under the GEF-funded, UNEP-led project “Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products,” the event was a collaborative effort by Gabon’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and WHO Gabon, with support from WHO, UNEP, the Biodiversity Research Institute, and the Global Mercury Partnership.

This initiative aligns with the Libreville Declaration on Health and the Environment and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, both of which emphasize the urgent need to address environmental and health challenges synergistically. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of mercury-laden cosmetic products, share Gabon’s efforts to combat such practices, foster regional knowledge exchange, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. Its ultimate goal was to promote a unified African declaration to eliminate harmful skin-lightening products.

Over two days of intensive technical discussions, participants identified challenges and opportunities for phasing out mercury-based skin-lightening products in line with the Minamata Convention. The workshop emphasized the need for stronger synergies between health, environmental sectors, and product quality control mechanisms to tackle this issue effectively.

The event concluded with a high-level ministerial segment, where African Ministers of Health and Environment, along with delegates from international organizations and civil society, adopted the Libreville Commitment. This declaration calls for concerted, integrated, and sustainable actions to eliminate harmful skin-lightening products across Africa.

The Libreville workshop represents a pivotal moment in Africa’s fight against mercury containing skin lighting products and toxic social, cultural and historical roots that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation and the health-environment nexus in addressing this critical issue.