Summary
The second meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP2) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury convened for a final day on Friday, 23 November 2018. In the morning, delegates heard reports from the contact groups on effectiveness evaluation, technical issues, and budget; and from the Friends of the President group dealing with outstanding issues, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).COP2 President Marc Chardonnens (Switzerland) then opened discussions on the review of the financial mechanism. Delegates voted to reverse the decision taken on this issue on Tuesday, and then referred further discussion on this item to COP3.By 6:00 pm, delegates adopted decisions on:
- capacity building, technical assistance and technology transfer;
- releases;
- waste thresholds;
- Harmonized Customs codes;
- date and venue of COP3;
- effectiveness evaluation;
- secretariat arrangements;
- environmentally sound interim storage of mercury other than mercury waste; and
- contaminated sites.
The contact group on budget and programme of work continued to work to complete its work.Delegates adopted the budget and programme of work for 2019 in the evening.After closing remarks by Rossana Silva Repetto, Executive Secretary, Minamata Convention, President Chardonnens gaveled the meeting to a close at 8:08 pm.
IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from COP2.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu
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