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To prepare for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, delegates grappled with challenges in regulating the movement of transboundary waste. This requires a common understanding of what counts as waste as definitions continue to change as technology advances.
Final report
Summary report 25–28 June 2024
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In the midst of a flurry of activities addressing chemicals and wastes, the Fourteenth Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG-14) of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes met to advance implementation of decisions coming out of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) held in May 2023.
Negotiations on a treaty on plastic waste, especially in the marine environment, are ongoing and are scheduled to conclude in November 2024. As such, its outcome will send important signals on countries’ expectations regarding the governance of plastics in the waste stream. Negotiations on establishing a new science-policy panel on chemicals and waste are scheduled to conclude just prior to the beginning of OEWG-14. Furthermore, in September 2023, the International Conference on Chemicals Management approved a new post-2020 global platform on the sound management of chemicals and waste. All of these activities fed into the work of OEWG-14.
Parties attending OEWG-14 considered a draft renewed strategic framework, prepared by a small intersessional working group, to boost implementation of the Convention. Key issues in this framework included:
- improving the prior informed consent (PIC) process through adopting electronic methods of notification;
- ensuring environmentally sound management (ESM) of waste, especially of newly emerging waste streams such as those containing nanomaterials; and
- progressing partnerships under the Convention, including those focused on challenges in dealing with plastic waste, e-waste and household waste.
OEWG-14 also discussed technical guidelines for dealing with a range of issues regarding:
- wastes contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs);
- electronic waste (e-waste);
- waste lead-acid batteries;
- used and waste pneumatic tyres; and
- waste containing nanomaterials.
One issue considered, for example, is the distinction between electronic waste, and “non-waste” electronic products destined for reuse and recycling.
To improve national reporting, delegates considered practical guidance on waste inventories, and revisions to the reporting format.
Delegates also discussed the current partnerships among countries on plastic waste, e-waste and household waste. They sought to advance cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.
The outcomes from OEWG-14 will be submitted to COP-17, which will convene in 2025.
OEWG-14 convened 25-28 June 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Delia Paul, Ph.D.; Richard de Ferranti; and Keith Ripley. The Digital Editor was Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.
View past and future events
Past event
5th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the Basel Convention
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6th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Basel Convention
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7th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the Basel Convention
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5th Session of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG5)
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8th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP8) to the Basel Convention
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9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the Basel Convention
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10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Basel Convention
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2013 Meetings of Basel Convention COP11, Rotterdam Convention COP6, Stockholm Convention COP6, and ExCOPs2
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9th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG9)
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2015 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
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10th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG10)
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2017 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
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11th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (OEWG11)
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2019 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
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12th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (OEWG12)
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2021 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
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Resumed Session of the 12th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG-12)
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Face-to-Face Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
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13th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention
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2023 Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
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14th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention
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