Chemicals constitute an integral part of modern society with an estimated 100,000 different substances in use today. The food we eat, the electronic devices we use, the medicines we take – all are made possible by the judicious use of chemicals. Without these substances, it is hard to imagine human life. But chemicals have the potential to adversely impact our health and the environment if not managed properly.
In Africa, the safe and sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste is a major challenge that has persisted for many years. That is largely because countries lack the technical capacity to develop national environmental governance frameworks that respond effectively to the environmental threats caused by chemicals and waste.
The trend in chemicals and waste exposure is increasing significantly in Africa due to urbanization, growing population, and the expansion of agricultural production. Trade liberalization and the creation of free-trade industrial zones have further led to the importation of chemicals and products containing chemicals into many African countries. Yet, most of these countries lack the institutional capacity to assess and monitor the risks associated with the trade in chemicals and chemicals contained in products.
The treatment of hazardous waste in Africa takes place in unregulated or uncontrolled conditions using conventional methods, such as landfilling, where such substances are mixed with non‐hazardous wastes. This releases heavy metals and other pollutants, creating serious health risks to the public and the environment.
To achieve a safe chemical and waste future for Africa, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supported the organization of the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Bamako Convention, which focused on the management of hazardous waste in Africa. The conference took place from 12 to 14 February 2020 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The meeting further advanced the objective of minimizing the impact of harmful substances and hazardous waste on the environment and human health.
Many African countries are party to continental and regional environmental agreements developed to protect human and environmental health from damages associated with harmful substances and hazardous waste. However, the implementation of these global environmental goals and frameworks—especially multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs)—remains an important mission and a challenge for the continent. This recognition has been highlighted in several decisions of Conferences of the Parties (COPs) of major global and regional MEAs. They showcased the need for the enhancement of enforcement and compliance mechanisms through building capacity towards the implementation of environmental treaties.
UNEP’s capacity building programme for multilateral environmental agreements in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries, known as the ACP MEAs programme, works with the Bamako Convention to improve national legislation related to chemicals and waste while promoting knowledge sharing. Through the support of the programme, during its COP3 meeting, the convention brought together over 150 participants, including national ministers, diplomats, experts, business people and civil society representatives, to discuss the ratification of the Bamako Convention. The gathering culminated in the adoption of nine decisions, including:
• Decision CB.3/1: Proposed new list of hazardous substances to be considered hazardous wastes under article 2 of the Bamako Convention;
• Decision CB.3/5: Status of ratification, accession to and implementation of the Bamako Convention;
• Decision CB.3/7: Ratification and incorporation into national law of mutually beneficial waste trade instruments of the Bamako and Basel Conventions;
• Decision CB.3/8: Action to prevent plastic waste pollution and its trade, in and surrounding the continent of Africa;
• Decision CB.3/9: Prevention of electronic hazardous waste and the import and dumping of end-of-life waste electrical and electronic equipment in Africa.
These decisions are critical for Africa’s future as they reaffirm the parties’ commitment to implementing the Bamako Convention and banning the importation of hazardous chemicals and wastes into Africa while promoting the sound management of locally produced chemicals and waste.
The ACP MEAs programme is a partnership between the European Union, the Organization of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States, UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It aims to build the capacity of 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to fulfil their obligations to multilateral environmental agreements. In the last decade, the programme has helped states to fully engage in the implementation of environmental accords. It is now in its third phase.
For more information, contact Ladu Lemi (Ladu.Lemi@un.org) or Dorris Chepkoech (Dorris.chepkoech@un.org).
