Global Perspectives
Photo - Marek Piwnicki/Unsplash
According to WHO, the overall production of chemicals worldwide is on the rise and sales are projected to almost double from 2017 to 2030.
Over 2,000 delegates from around the world gathered at the UN in Geneva to discuss how best to curb chemical pollution, which has had increasingly dire consequences for health and the environment.
Over the course of two weeks of meetings, countries are expected to make progress on adding new chemicals to the list of toxic substances to be banned or restricted under the Stockholm Convention - the global treaty protecting human health and the environment from long-lasting chemical pollution.
They will also seek ways to further regulate the use of chemicals and pesticides under the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals management; and developing technical guidelines on the sound management of plastic and E-waste under the Basel Convention, on transboundary hazardous waste management.
Among other important issues, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention, will discuss the development of compliance procedures and mechanisms; and review a range of recommendations stemming from the second evaluation of the Convention.
Later this month, the international community will come together again in Paris to continue working towards a new, legally binding international treaty on plastics pollution.