The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions present at the 19th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-19)

In its 2010-2011 cycle, the CSD is considering the issues of chemicals, waste management, transportation, mining and sustainable consumption & production patterns. The cycle commences with the review of thematic issues (18th session of the CSD in 2010; CSD-18) and concludes with the adoption of policy recommendations (19th session of the CSD in 2011; CSD-19). In the area of chemicals, the work of the Commission specifically focus on reviewing progress and identifying policy actions in achieving the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2020 goal on sound management of chemicals.

The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will be actively involved in the work of the 19th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development which takes place in New York from 2-13 May 2011.

For more information on the events organized by the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions at CSD-19 please see below:

UNDESA CSD-19 website

Calendar of activities organised by the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions at CSD-19

Learning centre on chemicals management
Tuesday, 3 May 2011 at 10 am-1 pm, Room B, North Lawn Building (NLB), United Nations headquarters

The learning session, which is organised by UNEP Chemicals, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention, aims at providing concrete information on three important policy areas for the thematic area on Chemicals: future trends in the production and use of chemicals, chemical management and linkages with human health and the environment, and case studies on international agreements and partnerships as a tool for achieving sound management of chemicals.

Learning centre on chemicals, wastes and sustainable development: Overcoming new challenges
Friday, 6 May 2011 at 3-6 pm, Room B, NLB, UN headquarters

The learning session, which is organised by the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and UNEP Chemicals, aims at interacting with participants on some of the main challenges currently facing the sound management of chemicals and wastes. Emphasis will be placed on industrial chemicals, electrical and electronic wastes and measures to prevent the illegal traffic in hazardous wastes. Recent developments regarding the listing of new chemicals under the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will also be highlighted.

Leaflet

Side-event on integrating sound management: Engaging civil society in sustainability
Monday, 9 May 2011 at 1:15-2:45 pm, Room 4, NLB, UN headquarters

Organised by the UN CSD Education Working Group, this interactive policy forum on "Integrating Sound Management: Engaging Civil Society in Sustainability" aims at identifying opportunities for innovation, implementation, and learning leading to advance the thematic topics considered by this Agenda 21 CSD 19 Policy Session.

Leaflet

High level side-event launching the Publication on Synergies Success Stories: Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions Wednesday, 11 May 2011 at 1:15-2:45 pm, Room B, NLB, UN headquarters

Over the past years, the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions have set up a unique process to enhance collaboration and coordination among the conventions. The so-called synergies process among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions demonstrates that international environmental governance can be enhanced with the aim of fostering the implementation of a cluster of related MEAs.

Developed jointly by the secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the Division for Sustainable Development of UNDESA, the publication on “Synergies Success Stories” aims at presenting the ongoing synergistic work in the areas of chemicals and wastes and show casing practical ways of implementing the conventions in a coordinated way. The publication “Synergies Success Stories” will be officially launched at the side-event.

Leaflet

Body Burden Forum
Thursday, 12 May 2011 at 1:15-2:45 pm, Room 4, NLB, United Nations headquarters

Safe Planet: the United Nations Campaign for Responsibility on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes invite high-profile personages and international experts to engage in a dialogue on how human bio-monitoring information can support the Millennium Development Goals and World Summit on Sustainable Development 2020 target to achieve sound management of chemicals and wastes.

The Forum will discuss the results of human milk monitoring survey on POPs and WHO review of global burden of chemical exposure and initiatives of the chemical cluster conventions to raise awareness and motivate public action to reduce the risks to public health and the environment. During the Forum, the short documentary film, Body Burden will be screened.

Stine Hattestad Bratsberg, Co-chair of the Safe Planet Campaign, LPGA pro golfer Suzann Pettersen, Werner Obermeyer (Executive Director, WHO Office at the United Nations in New York), Jim Willis, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, and an International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) representative will be invited to participate in a roundtable discussion chaired by Jan-Gustav Strandenaes.

Safe Planet: the United Nations Campaign for Responsibility on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes
Side-event leaflet