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First Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Mercury

12 - 16 November 2007 | Bangkok, Thailand.

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The United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand
The United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand
Earth Negotiations Bulletin
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Web coverage:

Monday, 12 Nov | Tuesday, 13 Nov | Wednesday, 14 Nov | Thursday, 15 Nov | Friday, 16 Nov

Highlights for Tuesday, 13 November 2007

The First Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) to Review and Assess Measures to Address the Global Issue of Mercury convened for its second day on Tuesday, 13 November, at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the morning plenary delegates heard a brief presentation from the Secretariat on the legal aspects and practicalities of adopting a mercury protocol to the Stockholm Convention. Delegates then focused their attention on exploring voluntary approaches to the global issue of mercury. Whilst some delegates highlighted the potential to address mercury under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), others stressed that SAICM lacks a financial mechanism or resources to support the implementation of SAICM and favored the development of a legally-binding approach.

Delegates established a contact group to review available response measures to address mercury releases from coal emissions and industrial processes and the contact group met concurrently with the afternoon plenary.   

During the afternoon plenary, delegates addressed the issue of mercury emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) and also discussed reducing the use of mercury in ASM. Discussion focused on appropriate response measures to address mercury in this informal, unregulated and, in some cases, illegal sector, with many participants suggesting that the issue could be addressed through addressing mercury supply.

In the late afternoon, delegates considered the issue of mercury supply. Whilst there was broad agreement on the need to phase out the mining of virgin mercury, delegates’ views were divergent on the need to phase out and ban international trade in elemental mercury. Delegates agreed to continue the discussion in plenary on Wednesday.



Delegates of NGOs in the plenary room.
NGO delegates in the plenary room.

Jamidy Katima, IPEN, reiterated that the Global Plan of Action for SAICM calls to further explore measures to control mercury. Glenn Wiser, Secretariat, explained the practicalities of adopting a protocol to the Stockholm Convention on mercury. Gonzalo Entenza, Argentina, favored allocating resources to projects to reduce mercury exposure as opposed to negotiation sessions.
Jamidy Katima, IPEN, reiterated that the Global Plan of Action for SAICM calls to further explore measures to control mercury. Glenn Wiser, Secretariat, explained the practicalities of adopting a mercury protocol to the Stockholm Convention. Gonzalo Entenza, Argentina, favored allocating resources to projects to reduce mercury exposure as opposed to negotiation sessions.

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Display in the conference center.

Cheng Weixue, China, stressed the need to discuss the availability of technologies. Nouf Abdulla Al-Sulaiti, Qatar, favored a legally-binding instrument. Ouedraogo Desire, Burkina Faso, said all possible options to address mercury should be considered.
Cheng Weixue, China, stressed the need to discuss the availability of technologies. Nouf Abdulla Al-Sulaiti, Qatar, favored a legally-binding instrument. Ouedraogo Desire, Burkina Faso, said all possible options to address mercury should be considered.

Imogen Ingram, ISACI, discussed the impacts of mercury contamination on small island developing states. David Lennett, NRDC, urged delegates to commence voluntary measures including emissions inventories.
Imogen Ingram, ISACI, discussed the impacts of mercury contamination on small island developing states. David Lennett, NRDC, urged delegates to commence voluntary measures including emissions inventories.

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Side event on Mercury cell chlor alkali production. Delegates and ENB Consultants utilizing the lunch break to exchange views.
Side event on Mercury cell chlor alkali production. Delegates and ENB writer utilizing the lunch break to exchange views.

Chaired by Keiko Segawa, Japan, the contact group to discuss additional response measures to reduce atmospheric emissions of mercury from human sources met in the afternoon.

The contact group proposed some additional response measures to reduce mercury emissions from coal usage and industrial processes.

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Delegates conversing outside the plenary room.

Web coverage:

Monday, 12 Nov | Tuesday, 13 Nov | Wednesday, 14 Nov | Thursday, 15 Nov | Friday, 16 Nov

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