Neuvième réunion de la Conférence des Parties à la Convention de Rotterdam

Introduction

1. At their 2017 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter, “the 2019 meetings”) in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019 in a format similar to that of the 2017 meetings, with joint sessions covering matters of relevance to at least two of the three conventions and separate sessions of the meetings of each of the three conferences of the Parties. They also decided that the 2019 meetings would not feature a high-level segment and that such segments would occur only at every second set of meetings of the conferences of the Parties.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided on the status of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;

2. Encourages Parties:
(a) To adopt, as soon as possible, a national definition for the term “pesticide”, should they not yet have done so, asking the Secretariat for technical assistance should they face challenges in so doing, and reminding Parties of the availability of a definition of that term in the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the reports of the Chemical Review Committee on the work of its thirteenth and fourteenth meetings;

2. Recalls the need for Parties to take into account, when nominating experts, the responsibilities and qualifications, in accordance with the terms of reference of the Chemical Review Committee, and the commitment required of Committee members;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Chemical Review Committee,

Having considered the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee to make hexabromocyclododecane subject to the prior informed consent procedure and, accordingly, to list it in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade as an industrial chemical,

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Chemical Review Committee,

Having considered the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee to make phorate subject to the prior informed consent procedure and, accordingly, to list it in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade as a pesticide,

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Chemical Review Committee in its consideration of acetochlor, in particular the technical quality and comprehensiveness of the draft decision guidance document for that chemical,

Having considered the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee to make acetochlor subject to the prior informed consent procedure and accordingly to list it in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade as a pesticide,

The Conference of the Parties,

Welcoming the report of the working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade on the work of its first meeting, including the priority actions and further steps to enhance the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention,

Recalling the objective of the Rotterdam Convention as stated in its Article 1,
Recalling also the discussions during the seventh and eighth meetings of the Conference of the Parties and decisions RC-7/5 and RC-8/8, and welcoming the intersessional work undertaken to enhance the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention, including the process of listing chemicals in Annex III to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties,

Adopts Annex VII to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade as set out in the annex to the present decision.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2018–2021 in the biennium 2018–2019 and the work carried out on monitoring and evaluation;

2. Invites developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to submit to the Secretariat, by 31 March 2020, information on their needs for technical assistance and technology transfer, in accordance with the provisions of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the ministerial declarations and the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly at its third and fourth sessions, and joins in the expression of deep concern that our planet is increasingly polluted and in the encouragement to Governments and all other stakeholders to contribute to the effective implementation of the plan “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet”;

2. Joins the Environment Assembly in emphasizing the need for urgent and resolute action to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on matters related to the sound management of chemicals and waste, including through relevant improvements to the current international framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling that the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme performs secretariat functions for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions as well as for the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

Emphasizing the successive decisions of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions to enhance cooperation and coordination with the secretariat of the Minamata Convention, maximizing the effective and efficient use of resources at all levels, including the provision of any secretariat support that may be requested and is fully funded by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism;

2. Also welcomes the work of the Secretariat in preparing a draft workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism for the biennium 2020–2021;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes,

1. Takes note of the information provided by Parties about their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms and lessons learned from such experience, and about cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Takes note of the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

2. Encourages Parties and others to initiate action that promotes the implementation of the road map;

The Conference of the Parties,

Taking note of the United Nations Environment Programme November 2016 delegation of authority policy and framework for the management and administration of multilateral environmental agreement secretariats and other bodies for which the United Nations Environment Programme provides the secretariat or secretariat functions,

Taking note also of the United Nations Environment Programme March 2018 flexible template of options for the provision of secretariat services,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to accept with thanks the offer by the Government of Kenya to host the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2021 at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, and, accordingly, agrees to convene these meetings back to back, from 17 to 28 May 2021 in Nairobi, subject to the conclusion of a host country agreement between the host Government and the Secretariat;

The Conference of the Parties,

Requests the Secretariat to assess the relevance for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of existing guidelines developed by the United Nations system on the mobilization of resources from non-State actors, such as private-sector entities, non-governmental organizations and development banks, to inform possible future arrangements relating to this matter, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its next meeting.

The Conference of the Parties,

Taking note of the financial reports on the Rotterdam Convention trust funds for 2018 and estimated expenditures for 2019 from the general trust fund for the operational budget of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention general trust fund),

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

1. Opening of the meeting.

1. The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 29 April to 10 May 2019, back-to-back with the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 29 April 2019, by the three presidents of the conferences of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade is expected to elect the officers of the Conference of the Parties who will serve during its tenth meeting. The present note provides information regarding these elections.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision RC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade considered and agreed on conclusions pertaining to three sub-items under the agenda item on the status of implementation of the Convention:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Chemical Review Committee held its thirteenth and fourteenth meetings in Rome from 23 to 26 October 2017 and from 11 to 13 September 2018, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.13/19 and UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.14/10, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its thirteenth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for acetochlor in the pesticide category from the European Union and 10 African Parties, namely Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger, Senegal and Togo, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/6, the Chemical Review Committee at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/1, adopted a draft decision guidance document on acetochlor. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its thirteenth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for hexabromocyclododecane under the industrial chemicals category, submitted by Japan and Norway, together with the supporting documentation referred to therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of the Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-13/2 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that hexabromocyclododecane be listed in Annex III to the Convention as an industrial chemical and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/7, at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/2, the Chemical Review Committee adopted a draft decision guidance document on hexabromocyclododecane. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its fifth and thirteenth meetings reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for phorate in the pesticide category from Canada and Brazil, respectively, along with the supporting documentation referred to therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the notifications met the criteria of that Annex. Accordingly, the Committee agreed, by its decision CRC-13/4, to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that phorate be listed in Annex III to the Convention as a pesticide and proceeded to prepare a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/8, the Chemical Review Committee at its fourteenth meeting, in its decision CRC-14/3, adopted a draft decision guidance document on phorate. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eleventh meeting, in its decision CRC-11/4, recommended that carbosulfan be listed in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its twelfth meeting, by its decision CRC-12/2, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, adopted a draft decision guidance document for carbosulfan (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.12/3/Rev.1) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.12/INF/7/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/9/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/9, the Chemical Review Committee at its twelfth meeting, in its decision CRC-12/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on carbosulfan. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its first meeting recommended that chrysotile asbestos be listed in Annex III to the Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.1/28, annex I, section B). Subsequently, at its second meeting, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, agreed on the text of a draft decision guidance document for the chemical (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.2/20, para. 106 and annex I) and decided to forward it to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/10/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/10, the Chemical Review Committee at its second meeting agreed on the text of a draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting, in its decision CRC-9/4, recommended the listing of fenthion (ultra-low-volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) as a severely hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III to the Convention. Subsequently, at its tenth meeting, in its decision CRC-10/2, the Committee, in accordance with Article 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, adopted a draft decision guidance document for fenthion (ULV formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/10/Add.2) and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/INF/5), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/11/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/11, the Chemical Review Committee at its tenth meeting, in its decision CRC-10/2, adopted a draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ultra-low-volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L). The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to Articles 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting, in its decision CRC-8/7, recommended the listing of liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L, as severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Convention; adopted a draft decision guidance document for those formulations (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.8/9/Rev.1); and decided to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments (UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.8/INF/10/Rev.1), to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the addendum to the present note (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/12/Add.1) for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/12, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting, in its decision CRC-8/7, adopted a draft decision guidance document on liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision RC-8/8, on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, recalling the discussions during its eighth meeting and noting all the efforts and proposals to enhance the effectiveness of the Convention undertaken and put forward to date:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/13, annex I to the present note sets out proposals to amend two provisions of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, submitted by a number of African countries in October 2016 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/16/Add.1): Article 16 on technical assistance and Article 22 on adoption and amendment of annexes. The proposals were submitted by Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the case of Article 16, and by Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia in the case of Article 22.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of Parties found to be in non compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/14), on 22 October 2018 the Secretariat received a proposal by Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jordan, Mali, Nigeria, Peru, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia for a new Annex VII to the Convention entitled “Procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention”.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section I of decisions BC-13/11, RC-8/9 and SC 8/15, on technical assistance, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants welcomed the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for the period 2018–2021 and requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In their decisions BC-13/16, RC-8/10 and SC-8/20, on international cooperation and coordination, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/19, RC-8/12 and SC-8/22, on the clearing house mechanism for information exchange, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to start the work to implement the strategy of the joint clearing house mechanism (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/47-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/33-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/50), and to implement the activities of the workplan for the biennium 2018–2019 (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/48-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/39-UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/43) in accordance with the programmes of work and budgets for the conventions for the biennium.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23, on mainstreaming gender, of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the report on the implementation of the Plan (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/46–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/32–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/49, annex) and requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things, invited Parties to share their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms at the national level and lessons learned; and information on cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their meetings in 2017, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted identical decisions (decisions BC-13/22, RC-8/15, SC-8/25), entitled “From science to action”, by which, among other things, they took note of a draft road map, prepared by the Secretariat, for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in an informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the conventions (UNEP/CHW.13/INF/50–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.8/INF/35–UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/52).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision RC-8/16, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, among other things:

Introduction

1. At their 2017 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter, “the 2019 meetings”) in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019 in a format similar to that of the 2017 meetings, with joint sessions covering matters of relevance to at least two of the three conventions and separate sessions of the meetings of each of the three conferences of the Parties. They also decided that the 2019 meetings would not feature a high-level segment and that such segments would occur only at every second set of meetings of the conferences of the Parties.