In the lead-up to the establishment of a new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and prevention of pollution to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, a major outreach initiative was organized by the OEWG Secretariat and Geneva Environment Network.
This initiative aimed to build bridges and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing between and among stakeholders; raise public awareness about the OEWG working towards the establishment of the panel; and engage with the next generation of researchers, policy professionals and civil society actors who will take forward the agenda for safe and sustainable management of chemicals.
Previous Webinars
This event provided an opportunity for governments and other stakeholders to be informed of the process at the close of OEWG 3.1. Key documents to be finalized at OEWG 3.2 will be the foundational document to establish the panel and the draft rules of procedure. The foundational document sets out the objective and functions, operating principles and approaches, and institutional arrangements for the science-policy panel, while the draft rules of procedure establishes the framework for decision-making and operational aspects of the panel.
The webinar outlined how the broader scientific community including scientists, scientific institutions, networks and journals from all disciplines can engage with the future panel, targeting those that are not yet familiar with international science-policy work. It presented the state of OEWG negotiations as of September 2024, and elaborated on the different ways that scientists across the world can partake in the work of the future panel.
This briefing provided updates on the preparations for the third session of the OEWG, taking place at the International Conference Center in Geneva (CICG) from 17 to 21 June 2024 and preceded by informal, regional and stakeholder consultations, on 16 June 2024
At its 13th meeting held on 31 January 2024, the Bureau of the ad hoc open-ended working group on establishing a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution requested the secretariat of the OEWG to develop an information document on the process to date. The forthcoming information document (CWP/OEWG.3/INF/6) provides an overview of the origins of the initiative, key milestones to date (as of 30 April 2024), and a brief record of the ongoing negotiations towards the establishment of the panel. This webinar is a companion to this information document.
This online event will provide an overview of the documents for OEWG 3, including the compilation of proposals as it stands following the conclusion of OEWG 2 (UNEP/SPP-CWP/OEWG.3/2) and draft text proposals related to this document (Addenda 1-5). The event will also introduce the proposals on the establishment of the Panel to be considered by the intergovernmental meeting, and proposals to give effect to arrangements to be considered by the intergovernmental meeting.
- Road to OEWG 3 | The Capacity-Building Function of the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention: Lessons Learned from Existing Science-Policy Interfaces and Sharing of Views - 11 April 2024 (am session)
- Road to OEWG 3 | The Capacity-Building Function of the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention: Lessons Learned from Existing Science-Policy Interfaces and Sharing of Views - 11 April 2024 (pm session)
The ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) at its second session requested the secretariat to prepare, in consultation with the Bureau, a webinar on the capacity-building function of the panel, and submit a summary of the views expressed for the information of the OEWG at its third session. This webinar aimed to showcase possible ways to implement the capacity-building function of the Panel by highlighting the broader landscape in which capacity-building will take place and by presenting how other Science-Policy Interfaces implement their capacity-building functions. It also aimed to encourage an exchange of questions and views amongst participants.
This briefing provided updates on the preparations for the second session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (OEWG 2). It consisted of two major parts: 1) a briefing from the Chair of the OEWG process on the approach to work towards proposals for the panel using a ‘skeleton outline’ at OEWG 2 and the overall expected outcomes; and 2) a general briefing on the overall preparations for OEWG 2 by the secretariat. This briefing, held within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, concluded the series of the “Road to OEWG 2” events organized in preparation for OEWG 2.
This webinar aimed to take a deep dive into procedures employed under existing science-policy interfaces to address potential conflicts of interest. By inviting reflections on lessons learned from those with first-hand experience with existing procedures, this event aimed to inform and prepare Member States and other stakeholders for the discussion on this substantive matter at the second session of the OEWG in December 2023.
This side event to the Minamata COP-5 provided an interactive platform to seek stakeholders’ input on relationships of the panel with relevant key stakeholders, particularly on how to build linkages from science to support action. It aimed to elicit views from Member States, the secretariats of the Minamata Convention, World Health Organization, and other key stakeholders to learn from their experience within and beyond the mercury and health communities.
This webinar informed participants on the accreditation and participation modalities for the OEWG for major groups and stakeholders and the invitation is extended to all interested participants from civil society who have attended previous meetings and who plan to engage along in the process on the way to OEWG 2. The objective of this webinar was to enhance understanding of the participation of observers at the meetings of the OEWG in its intersessional work, sharing information on how MGS can participate and contribute to the work of OEWG.
This side event to the Human Rights Council (HRC54) provided a discussion platform to enable scientists and the UN Special Rapporteur to exchange views on the process and forthcoming negotiation milestones ahead of the second session of the OEWG to be held in December 2023.
This side event to the World Resource Forum (WRF 2023) provided an interactive platform to seek input on relationships of the new Science-Policy Panel with stakeholders from the minerals and resources communities, through a life-cycle approach. After an introduction the ongoing OEWG process, initial views on possible linkages between the panel and the minerals and resources communities were elicited, which served to inform the second session of the OEWG in December 2023.
This event, organized by the Geneva Science-Policy Interface in collaboration with the Geneva Environment Network, discussed the strengths and limits of global intergovernmental science-policy interfaces. The session, open to all stakeholders, was included in the programme of the University of Geneva Summer School on "Science-Policy Interfaces for Environmental Solutions: Learning to Span Boundaries".
This side event to the 2023 BRS COPs was part of the UNEP Webinar Series aiming to building bridges and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing between and among stakeholders, and to raise public awareness about the OEWG preparing proposals for the establishment of the panel.
During the European Special Session of SETAC Annual Meeting, UNEP’s processes for developing the science-policy panel were explained, as well as how SETAC members can contribute their scientific expertise to the process through SETAC’s participation. SETAC is an accredited major groups stakeholder of UNEP.
- Road to OEWG 2 | Developing Operating Principles of the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention - 26 April 2023
Featuring speakers from IPCC, IPBES, IRP, and GEO, this webinar focused on the operating principles of these previously established science-policy interfaces.
This third webinar discussed the scope of the panel, and featured an exchange with and dialogue amongst panelists on a number of key issues.
This webinar focused on lessons-learned and examples from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the International Resource Panel (IRP), the Montreal Protocol, and the World Health Organization (WHO), that may inform the design and operations of the new Science-policy panel.
This webinar aimed at providing background on the process to establish a science-policy panel and discuss its scope and possible structure. It highlighted countries’ priorities on chemicals, waste and pollution as well as the role of science and academia and offered an opportunity for dialogue with panel members.
