The face-to-face segment of the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)

The face-to-face segment of the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)

Thefifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-15) will consider, among others, amendment proposals focusing on e-wastes, the adoption of updated technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury wastes, and the adoption of guidance documents to improve specific aspects of the implementation of the prior informed consent procedure as it relates to transit transboundary movements, and insurance, bond and guarantee. Discussions will also be held on disposal operations, such as engineered landfilling and incineration on land. Additionally, Parties are expected to initiate the updating of the technical guidelines on used lead acid batteries.

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-10) will consider including in Annex III of the Convention two pesticides, two severely hazardous pesticide formulations, and three industrial chemicals. In addition, Parties will consider for the first time a work programme for the newly established Compliance Committee and receive a detailed overview of the technical assistance provided during the last two years, including work on the identification of alternatives to hazardous pesticides.

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-10) will consider listing a new group of perfluorinated chemicals, targeting them for elimination. Discussions will be held on the use of DDT, and the identification and management of POPs contaminated sites. Moreover, Parties will discuss progress made in the preparation of the second effectiveness evaluation report and the third global monitoring report on POPs.

During the COPs, Parties will also discuss ways for the conventions to contribute to the key outcomes of the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), specifically, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that will develop the legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, and the Science-Policy Panel on chemicals and waste that is expected to support the prevention of pollution. The provisions of the Stockholm Convention and of the Basel Convention, and in particular the Plastic Waste Amendments which are currently the sole legally binding provisions addressing plastic wastes, are expected to inform the negotiations of the aforementioned global instrument to end plastic pollution.

The BRS COPs will also adopt programmes of work and budgets for 2022-2023, and consider a new technical assistance plan for 2022-2025.

On the whole, more than 40 side events will be held, focusing on topics from pesticide risk reduction and e-waste management to hazardous child labour in agriculture and plastic waste stream.

In addition, the High-level Segment of the meetings took place on 1 June 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden. The objective of the High-level Segment is to provide an interactive, dynamic and inclusive for ministers to exchange experiences and to provide political leadership for renewed commitment towards the implementation of the Conventions.

As agreed by the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, a delegation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, including the representatives of Viet Nam Environment Administration and Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Department of Natural, Social and Human Sciences under the Ministry of Science and Technology, will attend the BRS COPs. The objectives of the delegation include the following:

- To demonstrate the responsibility of Viet Nam in general and of the Natural Resources and Environment sector in particular for environment and human health protection to the international community, through participation in and implementation of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions;

- To participate in the negotiation and adoption of a number of important decisions of the Conventions related to the management of hazardous chemicals, which are persistent organic pollutants, at all stages in the life cycles of chemical products and raw materials, fuels, materials, products, goods and equipment containing persistent organic pollutants; treatment of hot spots of residual chemical pollution; notification and management of international trade activities for a number of dangerous chemicals; hazardous waste management and treatment; transboundary movement and treatment of hazardous waste;

- To present the results achieved by Viet Nam after 27 years of implementing the Basel Convention and 20 years of implementing the Stockholm Convention in Viet Nam.

Uyen Nguyen