4th Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4)

Highlights for Friday, 2 October 2015

The final day of the Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) convened on Friday, 2 October, in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the morning, the high-level segment (HLS) reconvened. Boyan Slat, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The Ocean Cleanup, gave a keynote speech, followed by the plenary panel discussion, which underscored the importance of commitment from all stakeholders to achieve the 2020 goal of sound management of chemicals and waste. A number of dignitaries also made high-level statements.

The closing plenary session convened in the afternoon, where the following resolutions were adopted: the sound management of chemicals and wastes beyond 2020; the overall orientation and guidance; emerging policy issues; highly hazardous pesticides; and the activities of the Secretariat and budget. This was followed by the adoption of the report and closing statements. ICCM4 President Richard Lesiyampe closed the meeting at 6:04 pm.

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IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports and a summary and analysis report from the 4th Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4), which took place from 28 September to 2 October 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. Our summary and analysis report is available in HTML and PDF. Available in ENB Mobile at: http://enb.iisd.mobi/chemical-saicm-iccm4/

Highlights for Thursday, 1 October 2015

The penultimate day of the Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) convened on Thursday, 1 October, in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the morning, plenary briefly reconvened to hear reports from the contact groups before suspending until the afternoon’s high-level segment (HLS). The contact groups on the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, and the activities of the Secretariat and budget met immediately after. The contact group on emerging policy issues and other issues of concern (EPIs) met from midday, into the afternoon. A “Friends of the Co-Chairs” group on the overall orientation and guidance (OOG) met throughout the day.

In the afternoon, the ICCM4 HLS began. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Michel Giannuzzi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tarkett, gave keynote speeches. Three parallel panel dialogues took place: Multi-sectoral Collaboration for More Efficient Chemicals Management; Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Development; and the SAICM Model in Action.

Three special events took place, on: ISC3 – Moving sustainable chemistry forward!; Announcement of the Global Commission on Pollution, Health and Development; and a high-level event hosted by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA).

In the evening, the EPIs and OOG contact groups resumed their deliberations.

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Highlights for Wednesday, 30 September 2015

The Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) convened for its third day of discussions on Wednesday, 30 September, in Geneva, Switzerland. In the morning, the contact groups on the overall orientation and guidance (OOG), sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, and emerging policy issues (EPIs) reported back on the previous evening’s discussions. Discussions then turned to agenda items under EPIs and other issues of concern, which included debate on highly hazardous pesticides, lead in paint, chemicals in products, hazardous substances within the life-cycle of electrical and electronic products, and nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials.

In the afternoon, ICCM4 resumed debate on EPIs and other issues of concern, including perfluorinated chemicals and nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, addressed activities of the Secretariat and the budget, and discussed the date and venue for ICCM5.

The contact group on the OOG met in parallel to afternoon plenary, while the contact group on EPIs convened in the late afternoon and continued to work into the evening.

Side events also took place during lunch and in the evening.

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Highlights for Tuesday, 29 September 2015

The Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) convened for its second day of discussions on Tuesday, 29 September, in Geneva, Switzerland. In the morning, the debate on the regional and sectoral achievements, strengths and challenges in the context of SAICM implementation resumed. The report of the Quick Start Programme (QSP) and the sound management of chemicals and waste in the context of the SDGs were also addressed.

In the afternoon, ICCM4 discussed the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 and proposals on environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants (EPPPs) and highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs).

Contact groups on the overall orientation and guidance (OOG), chemicals and waste management beyond 2020 and on emerging policy issues (EPIs) were established.

Side events also took place during lunch and in the evening.

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Highlights for Monday, 28 September 2015

The Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) opened on Monday, 28 September in Geneva, Switzerland. Following a morning of regional and sectoral meetings, ICCM4 opened in the afternoon with a short video on SAICM, its work, and its importance, as well as cultural performance from Swiss musicians.

Delegates then heard opening statements from dignitaries, regional groups, national delegations, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, and industry groups. They also addressed: organizational matters; representation, credentials and accreditation; and progress and challenges towards the achievement of the 2020 goal of sound chemicals management.

In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Government of Switzerland.

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