1st Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020

Through its Resolution IV/4, the fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) held in September 2015 decided to initiate an intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 for consideration by ICCM5, expected to be held in 2020. ICCM4 decided that the intersessional process should include, in principle, two meetings before the third meeting of the SAICM Open-ended Working Group (OEWG3) (to be held in 2018 or early 2019) and another between OEWG3 and ICCM5.

The First Meeting of the Intersessional Process will review the interim report of the independent evaluator of the Strategic Approach 2006-2015, and hold a series of focus group discussions with various stakeholders to reflect on the interim report’s findings. The Meeting will also hold an initial discussion on the vision and scope for the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, reflect on the voluntary, multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral approach used by SAICM, consider how best to respond to new and emerging issues, and discuss linkages to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.