See more coverage of this event on the main IISD ENB website

We have launched a new website to better share our reports of global environmental negotiations.

As well as current coverage of new negotiations, you can find our original reports from this event by clicking here.



ENB web coverage
and daily reports

Day

HTML

PDF*

TXT

17 November

18 November

19 November

20 November

21 November

SUMMARY 






To view PDF files, you will need the free Adobe Reader


 

To listen to Real Audio files, you will need the free Real Audio player

 
Tenth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an International Legally Binding Instrument for the Application of the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (INC-10)

Geneva, Switzerland; 17-21 November 2003
Daily Web Coverage |Curtain| |Mon 17| |Tue 18| |Wed 19| |Thu 20| |Fri 21|

Highlights for Wednesday, 19 November 2003

Delegates met in morning and afternoon plenary sessions to continue their deliberations on the implementation of the interim PIC Procedure; preparations for COP-1; activities of the Secretariat and review of the situation as regards extrabudgetary funds; and issues arising out of the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries, in particular support for implementation and technical assistance. A working group on financial rules convened in the afternoon.

Above photo: WG Chair Alistair McGlone discussing text on Compliance with China, Canada and Japan.


PLENARY:

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERIM PIC PROCEDURE:


Chair de Azevedo Rodrigues introduced a document with the modified introduction to the DGDs on asbestos and DNOC (UNEP/FAO/PIC/INC.10/CRP.4), which was adopted without objection.


CHILE expressed concern that chrysotile would be included in the procedure without discussion of the DGD. 
Above photo: Delegate from Chile reading the ENB before the start of the morning plenary.

PREPARATION FOR COP-1:


The NETHERLANDS, on behalf of the Chair, reported that the working group had completed a first reading of the Chair's draft COP decision.


The EU introduced its proposal (UNEP/FAO/PIC/CRP.8) to establish a supplementary trust fund for technical assistance and other appropriate purposes, financed on a voluntary basis.


Settlement of Disputes:


JAPAN stated that the final decision of the Arbitral Tribunal should not be binding on intervening third Parties and suggested looking at wording used in a similar issue discussed at INC-7.


CHINA requested clarification on the definition of "Party" in the different articles. Above photo: Yue Ruisheng (China)


ISSUES ARISING OUT OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PLENIPOTENTIARIES: Support for Implementation:


Sheila Logan, Interim Secretariat, introduced a document on the establishment of an electronic clearing house for information on chemical risk evaluation additional to that in the DGDs (UNEP/FAO/PIC/INC.10/22).


JAMAICA said the application process for further technical assistance from the Secretariat had not been clear.



The GAMBIA emphasized the need to link national strategies on poverty eradication with the sound management of chemicals.


TANZANIA noted the domestic need for information dissemination.





EL SALVADOR called for assessment of technical assistance and follow-up measures. Above photo: Sandra Morales (El Salvador)


VENEZUELA emphasized the need to address the relationship between trade and environment. Above photo: Alfredo Azpúrua (Venezuela)


GERMANY drew attention to its support of bilateral and regional technical assistance. Above photo: Matthias Kern (Germany)


UNITAR noted several new technical assistance programmes including an upcoming workshop on synergies among multilateral chemical agreements. Above photo: Jonathan Krueger (UNITAR)



WORKING GROUP ON FINANCIAL RULES:


CANADA expressed a preference for maintaining only one non-assessed trust fund, and suggested specifying that its targets include facilitation of technical assistance, training and capacity building.


The EU presented its proposal to establish a supplementary technical assistance trust fund (UNEP/FAO/PIC/INC.10/CRP.8). Above photo: Jill Hanna (EC) with the Presidency of the EU.

Links

INC-10 documents.
 UNEP Chemicals Unit.
 ENB coverage of INC-9.
 ENB coverage of meetings regarding chemicals management.
Rotterdam Convention.