Summary report, 2–3 June 2011

The third Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) regional meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) met in Panama City, Panama, on Thursday, 2 June and Friday, 3 June 2011. The meeting was requested by participants attending the second LAC regional meeting, held in March 2010, to prepare for the first meeting of the SAICM Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) scheduled for 29 August – 2 September 2011. The OEWG is a subsidiary body of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) tasked with considering the implementation, development and enhancement of SAICM between Conferences, and with preparing draft decisions or resolutions for possible adoption by the Conference.

The third LAC regional meeting included 46 participants from 21 countries representing government and academia, as well as representatives of UN agencies, regional and subregional entities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). On Thursday, participants discussed preparations for the first OEWG, proposals for new additions to the Global Plan of Action, health issues, emerging policy issues and financial and technical resources for implementation. On Friday, participants discussed the regional implementation plan, relations with the chemical and waste conventions, information exchange and scientific and technical cooperation, the SAICM Information Clearinghouse, Secretariat activities and budget, and preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or “Rio+20”). Five resolutions were adopted on: financing SAICM implementation; the health sector strategy; lead in paint; nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials; and hazardous substances within the lifecycle of electrical and electronic products.

The meeting was preceded on 30 May by a closed-door, members-only fourth meeting of the LAC Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC), a 31 May – 1 June workshop on Nanotechnology and Manufactured Nanomaterials organized by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), 1 June side events on the SAICM Chemicals in Products Project and on the Indonesian-Swiss Country-Led Initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, and a presentation on the morning of 2 June on the tenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP10) of the Basel Convention. In addition, side events were held on 2 June regarding the work of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paint, and on 3 June by the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region and the UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme about their projects relevant to the SAICM agenda.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The issue of chemicals management and the idea of a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management have been discussed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council (GC) and reflected in various forms since 1995, when the UNEP GC invited UNEP’s Executive Director to convene an expert group to consider and recommend further measures to reduce risks from a limited number of chemicals.

WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The Summit was convened from 26 August – 4 September 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and delegates adopted the Johannesburg Declaration and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI). The JPOI’s chemicals-related targets include:

the aim to achieve, by 2020, the use and production of chemicals in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment; and

the development, by 2005, of a SAICM based on the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) Bahia Declaration, and Priorities for Action Beyond 2000.

2005 WORLD SUMMIT: The 2005 World Summit was held at UN headquarters in New York from 14-16 September. Delegates resolved to implement a voluntary strategic approach to international management of chemicals, and to support developing countries in strengthening their capacity for the sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes.

ICCM1: The first International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM1) was held from 4-6 February 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Delegates adopted SAICM, including an overarching policy strategy, a Global Plan of Action and a Quick Start Programme (QSP) to mobilize resources for initial capacity-building activities for the implementation of SAICM objectives. The ICCM is multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral, and was tasked with undertaking periodic reviews of SAICM. The Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management was adopted, committing participants to strengthening the capacities of all concerned in order to achieve the sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes at all levels. Both the overarching policy strategy and ICCM Resolution I/1 recognize the strategic role of regional meetings in SAICM implementation between Conferences.

FIRST LAC REGIONAL MEETING ON SAICM: This meeting, held 14-16 February 2008 in Panama City, Panama, reviewed progress on SAICM implementation in LAC, provided guidance on implementation to regional stakeholders, discussed the QSP and possible regional projects, and discussed preparations for ICCM2.

ICCM2: This meeting was held 11-15 May 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland. Delegates adopted nine resolutions and reached agreement on, inter alia: rules of procedure; emerging issues; a process for considering emerging issues; the establishment of an Open-Ended Working Group; and financial resources.

SECOND LAC REGIONAL MEETING ON SAICM: This meeting, held 8, 9 and 12 March 2010 in Kingston, Jamaica, considered, inter alia: the SAICM health sector strategy; guidelines for reporting on SAICM implementation; emerging issues; preparations for chemicals management discussion at the 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 18); financing SAICM; possible development of a regional implementation plan; the QSP in the region; and development of the SAICM Information Clearinghouse. The Meeting adopted resolutions on engagement of the health sector in SAICM implementation, nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, and on hazardous substances within the lifecycle of electrical and electronic products.

SUMMARY OF THE THIRD LAC REGIONAL MEETING ON SAICM

OPENING SESSION

Chaired by the SAICM Regional Focal Point, Gillian Guthrie (Jamaica), the meeting opened on Thursday, 2 June. Guthrie announced that Lilian Corra, International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), had agreed to serve as meeting rapporteur.

Margarita Astrálaga, Director, UNEP Regional Office for LAC (ROLAC), said sound chemicals management is a top priority for the region, and noted that in April 2010 the LAC Forum of Environment Ministers adopted Decision 7 setting out specific regional priorities regarding chemical substances.

Chair Guthrie introduced a revised proposed agenda (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/1/Add.1), explaining that the RCC had simply organized the provisional agenda posted on the SAICM website and added under “other matters” a provision for discussing preparations for Rio+20. The agenda was adopted as revised by the RCC.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIRST MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP

SAICM Coordinator Leonor Alvarado presented the document (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/1) on this topic, outlining the mandate and provisional agenda of the first Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG1) scheduled to meet in Belgrade, Serbia, 14-18 November 2011. She underscored that OEWG1 will, inter alia: assess progress in achieving the Strategic Approach; evaluate the QSP; identify gaps in work towards achieving the JPOI goal of sound chemicals management by 2020; and consider proposed additions to the Global Plan of Action (GPA) and the list of emerging issues for SAICM to address.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT

Alvarado reviewed the regional meeting process, stressing that any decisions and resolutions adopted by the Third LAC regional meeting would be presented for consideration by the upcoming regional meetings for Asia-Pacific and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as OEWG1.

EVALUATION OF AND GUIDANCE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION, REVIEW AND UPDATING OF THE STRATEGIC APPROACH: Alvarado presented a document (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/2) regarding two proposals for additions to the GPA to be considered by the OEWG, namely Switzerland’s proposal on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials, and a proposal by the African regional meeting regarding hazardous substances within the lifecycle of electrical and electronic products. On the latter, she highlighted the draft report on the international workshop on the subject held 29-31 March 2011 by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Basel and Stockholm Convention Secretariats in Vienna, Austria (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/12).

Chair Guthrie called for forming contact groups to consider each proposal and to draft resolutions for the LAC regional meeting to adopt. She instructed the group on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials to take into account proposals developed during the UNITAR workshop on 1 June, and the group on electrical and electronic products to consider how draft proposals circulated informally by Peru might be used to enhance the African proposal. A government participant noted they had some elements to add to the African proposal, and another suggested that some of the timelines in the African proposal needed to be adjusted to allow for more implementation time.

Resolution on Nanotechnology and Manufactured Nanomaterials: On Friday morning the contact group’s chair, Teresa Romero Torres (Mexico), presented a draft resolution. She noted the resolution supports inclusion of this subject in the GPA, and suggests 18 activities grouped into three categories based on ideas developed during the UNITAR workshop. She said it also calls for a resolution to be presented at ICCM3 recommending, inter alia: developing national assessments; developing guidance and training materials; developing a regulatory framework based on the precautionary approach; developing a harmonized international classification system for manufactured nanomaterials; developing specific customs codes for manufactured nanomaterials; and applying extended producer responsibility throughout the lifecycle of manufactured nanomaterials. The resolution was adopted.

Resolution on Hazardous Substances within the Lifecycle of Electrical and Electronic Products: On Friday morning the contact group chair, Mario Abo Balanza (Cuba), presented the draft resolution, explaining that it called for establishing a series of management instruments at various levels. Chair Guthrie noted that the draft resolution did not take a stance on the African proposal regarding the GPA, and did not include the additional elements and changed timelines suggested by participants the day before. A government participant called for the resolution to reference the decisions taken on e-waste by Basel COP8. Guthrie asked the contact group to return later with changes that reflected these inputs.

In the afternoon Abo presented the amended resolution, which: endorsed most of the African proposals on GPA activities; added provisions on promotion of harmonized systems for secondhand products and donations, technical assistance and training by the Basel and Stockholm regional centers, establishment of focal points, strengthening of analytical capacity to identify hazardous substances in electronic products, creation of certification schemes, and promotion of extended producer responsibility; added references to the e-waste decisions of Basel COP8; and extended the term for some activities to 2018. The resolution was adopted as amended.

PROGRESS WITH REPORTING UNDER THE STRATEGIC APPROACH: Alvarado presented the Secretariat’s update (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/9) on the preparation of reports on progress in the implementation of the Strategic Approach. Alvarado highlighted many challenges in meeting the ICCM2 mandate to cover 20 indicators and to prepare both a baseline estimates report for the period 2006-2008 and a first progress report for the period 2009-2011 for OEWG1 and ICCM3 consideration. For the baseline estimate, she reported that 103 governments, 192 NGOs, and 31 intergovernmental organization (IGOs) completed questionnaires, but noted that: most submissions are descriptive; comparability is impeded by variation in quality and detail; and information collected is sufficient for only six of the 20 indicators, with four having no information available.

Alvarado reported that work on the update began in 2011 using the new electronic reporting tool, in the form of a password-protected online questionnaire, and was conducted in two stages: the first launched in March 2011 to cover progress in 2009-2010 and to be reported to the OEWG1, and the second covers progress in 2011, and will be collected in early 2012 and reported to ICCM3. She noted that from LAC, only Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname have completed online questionnaires. She urged LAC focal points to submit data, even if incomplete, before the Secretariat initiates its analysis on 10 June, since the exercise is intended to identify gaps that need to be addressed.

In the ensuing discussion, participants: suggested modifying the electronic tool to allow copies of online submissions to be saved; asked what is being done to ensure that data submitted by NGOs and IGOs on national initiatives are not double-counted if the same initiatives are reported by governments; and expressed concern that the collected data will be aggregated, reported and analyzed at the regional level, when in fact within a region such as LAC there can be wide differences based on level of development, size and population. One government participant warned against relying on separate NGO submissions, since NGOs do not represent the official positions of national contact points.

Alvarado said the Secretariat will look into modifying the tool to allow online submissions to be saved, and will consider ways to avoid double-counting initiatives. On NGO submission, she pointed out that SAICM is intended as a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral initiative, so such submissions are welcomed. As for how the information is to be analyzed, she pointed out that ICCM decided the information was to be presented, stressed that the exercise is not expected to show a complete picture of chemicals management, and noted that OEWG1 is expected to examine how the analysis might be conducted differently in the future.

HEALTH ISSUES

HEALTH SECTOR STRATEGY: On Thursday, Alvarado presented the draft strategy for strengthening the engagement of the health sector in Strategic Approach implementation (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/7), developed at the request of ICCM2, and an update (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/6) regarding its development. She explained the draft strategy had been presented for comments in November 2010, but when few comments were forthcoming, the Secretariat decided to take it to the regional meetings for discussion before it would be considered by OEWG1.

Agnes Soares, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), reported on the work of PAHO and World Health Organization (WHO) on chemicals, including, inter alia: assessing the burden of disease attributable to environmental exposure and management of selected chemicals; identifying research and knowledge gaps about environmental and health impacts of chemicals; and identification by WHO of 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern. She suggested that priorities for including the health sector in the region could include: programs and activities based on WHO’s 10 priority chemicals; priority work on carcinogens identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer; and strengthening chemical emergency response.

In the ensuing discussion, several participants suggested that PAHO should formally solicit comments from Health Ministries on the draft SAICM health sector strategy. A government participant suggested perhaps the region should ask PAHO to work more closely with SAICM, call on WHO’s Executive Board to be more directly involved, and suggest joint meetings of health and environment ministers on chemicals management. Another government participant suggested the development of a special indicator to measure health sector engagement in SAICM implementation.

STATUS OF THE DESIGNATION OF HEALTH CONTACT POINTS: Alvarado noted that so far only Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Uruguay have designated health contact points, and she urged other countries do so soon.

Resolution on Health Issues: A contact group was formed to produce a regional resolution on health issues taking into account all the points raised. On Friday morning the group chair, María Inés Esquivel (Panama), reported the group had developed a statement that emphasized: training of health professionals involved in chemicals management; the designation of national health focal points; identification by the Secretariat of successful cooperation between health and environment sectors on chemicals management; identification by the Secretariat of nontraditional sources of financing chemicals management; and the development of a special indicator on health sector involvement.

After converting the statement into resolution language, changing references to “focal points” to “contact points,” and incorporating language from the second LAC regional meeting resolution on mobilizing human and financial resources to support SAICM implementation, the resolution was adopted on Friday afternoon.

EMERGING POLICY ISSUES

On Thursday afternoon Alvarado presented an update (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/4) on responses to ICCM2’s calls for concerted action on emerging issues of: hazardous substances within the lifecycle of electrical and electronic products; lead in paint; nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials; and transitioning to safer alternatives to perfluorinated chemicals. She noted that the African regional meeting had adopted resolutions on lead in paint, hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, and nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, and that the LAC region has been asked to nominate a representative to the steering group of the perfluorinated chemicals project, who could attend a meeting on the project to be held back-to-back with the Asia-Pacific regional meeting slated for September in Beijing.

Alvarado also reviewed the five-step procedure for nominating new issues for consideration, and presented the document (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/5) regarding the two issues nominated for consideration at ICCM3, namely a submission by UNEP on international cooperation to build awareness and understanding and to promote actions on endocrine disrupting chemicals, and a proposal by ISDE on environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants. She explained that all regional meetings are being asked for input on the proposals.

Resolution on Lead in Paint: A contact group was formed to look at the African regional meeting’s resolution on this topic and suggest additions or amendments to reflect the LAC experience and priorities.

On Friday morning the group chair, Teresa Romero Torres (Mexico), presented a draft resolution that: calls for governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to participate in and contribute to the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paints led by WHO and UNEP; supports Alliance plans to submit a proposal to ICCM3 on creating an international lead poisoning prevention day of action, with an initial focus on eliminating lead in paints; and urges governments and NGOs to develop and participate in global, regional, subregional or national projects or programmes for eliminating lead in paint in LAC. Torres said the resolution also requests SAICM participants in LAC to prioritize actions to eliminate lead in paint, including, inter alia: paint sampling; strengthening health sector capacity to manage lead poisoning; voluntary and independent certification and labeling programs to enable consumers to identify paints with no added lead; national laws and regulations prohibiting paints containing lead; and biomonitoring and clinical studies on the effect of lead on human health, especially on children under the age of six.

The resolution was adopted after being amended to note that some LAC governments have taken action to ban or restrict lead in paint and/or paints in children’s products, and to urge those that have not yet done so to take such actions.

FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

QUICK START PROGRAMME (QSP): On Thursday, Alvarado presented an update on the status of approved QSP projects, including a list of approved projects in the LAC region (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/10), noting that the Programme has completed 10 rounds of evaluating proposals and is about to enter the 11th, with 315 proposals evaluated, 271 reviewed in detail by the QSP Trust Fund Implementation Committee, 143 supported that are together worth about US$30 million, 39 of which have been in LAC. She urged applicants to submit proposals before the next deadline of 26 August, to allow the Secretariat time to advise them on any necessary additions or changes.

Alvarado also provided a brief update on preparations for the evaluation called for by ICCM Resolution II/3 of the QSP, its effectiveness, and the efficiency of its implementation. She noted that the evaluation will be a desk study unless funds can be found to conduct field assessments.

FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION: Alvarado presented the Secretariat’s note on recent developments concerning financial and technical resources for implementation (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/3), mentioning the US$10 million allocation for chemicals in the fifth Global Environment Facility (GEF) replenishment, as well as UNEP’s consultations on financing for the chemicals and waste agenda.

In response to a question from Chair Guthrie, Alvarado suggested that the region’s ICCM Bureau member, Chile, ask the Bureau to call for UNEP and WHO to provide the Secretariat with a junior professional dedicated to resource mobilization, similar to what UNEP has at its Nairobi headquarters.

Several participants expressed concern that work needs to begin now on developing a successor to the QSP, so that there would not be a period without funding for SAICM projects, and so that there would be sufficient time to develop proposals for ICCM3 consideration. All speakers agreed that any successor should have similar criteria and ease of access. A contact group was formed to draft a resolution on the issue.

Resolution on Financing SAICM Implementation: On Friday morning the contact group chair, Osvaldo Álvarez-Pérez (Chile), presented the draft resolution on financing the implementation of the Strategic Approach, which was adopted with only a minor editorial change.

The resolution: requests OEWG1 to consider a financial mechanism to propose to ICCM3 that succeeds the QSP, meets the six principles outlined and lasts at least until 2020; calls on all SAICM stakeholders to donate, where possible, to this new mechanism in order to realize the 2020 JPOI goal; requests OEWG1 to consider developing a strategy to broaden the donor base, including industry, in financing SAICM activities at the national, regional and global levels; calls on UNEP and WHO to create a resource mobilization officer, as recommended in the QSP Business Plan; and requests UNEP and WHO to urgently fill all vacant positions within the SAICM Secretariat, including a communications officer post.

VENUE AND DATE OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ICCM

On Friday morning, Alvarado presented an update on preparations for ICCM3 (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF/1), noting that the current focus was on preparations for OEWG1, now scheduled to be held 14-18 November 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia. She noted that due to the rescheduling of Rio+20, the date for ICCM3 had to be changed to July 2012. She said so far only Geneva, Switzerland has indicated that it can host ICCM3 on 15-20 July 2012, and the date and venue would be confirmed by the ICCM Bureau.

OTHER MATTERS

On Friday, the Meeting addressed interactions with the chemicals and waste conventions, the SAICM Information Clearinghouse (ICH), the Secretariat’s activities and budget, and preparations for Rio+20.

IMPLEMENTATION OF AND COHERENCE BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROGRAMMES: Alvarado presented a note on the implications of omnibus decisions (SAICM/RM/LAC.3/INF11) by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Conferences of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions calling for taking SAICM into account when developing joint and cross-cutting activities, and to prepare a report on other clearinghouse and similar mechanisms in the area of chemicals and wastes, especially the SAICM ICH.

Alvarado noted that the while the SAICM Secretariat had funds for creating the ICH, it did not have funds or the technical expertise to maintain it. Alvarado suggested that she open a dialogue about synergies with the newly appointed head of the joint secretariat of the conventions, Jim Willis, about possible technical assistance to the SAICM Secretariat regarding the ICH infrastructure. Chair Guthrie recommended that the regional meeting endorse such a dialogue.

Chair Guthrie further proposed that UNEP ROLAC be asked to play a proactive role in information exchange by establishing an intranet service for SAICM implementation similar to the one it has created for the mercury instrument negotiations.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION: Alvarado recalled that one of the objectives for the regional meetings is to support information exchange, as well as science and technology cooperation, with all organs of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), and that ICCM Resolution I/1 called on IOMC organs to support such exchange and cooperation. She noted that despite outreach efforts by the Secretariat, only UNEP, FAO and WHO have attended regional meetings.

Alvarado further noted that a resolution adopted by the recent 26th session of UNEP GC calls for UNEP to work with the SAICM ICH on collecting information for replacing lead or cadmium with less hazardous substances and techniques for emission abatement, and invited ICCM3 to consider how to reduce risks from cadmium and lead at national, regional and global levels.

ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET OF THE SECRETARIAT: Alvarado, noting that several references had been made throughout the regional meeting to the manpower and budget challenges the Secretariat faces, reported it is doing its best to fulfill its various mandates under the Overarching Policy Strategy.

PREPARATIONS FOR RIO+20: Chair Guthrie, noting that Rio+20 may assess progress toward the JPOI goals, including the one on chemicals, said the onus was on all national SAICM focal points to raise the profile of SAICM as “one of the beacons of light in chemicals management” and to underscore the need for increasing resources for capacity building to keep the chemical agenda moving forward. Alvarado reported that the Secretariat is discussing with UNEP how best to provide input to Rio+20. Noting that Rio+20 consultations are being conducted at the country and regional levels, she encouraged all SAICM stakeholders to provide input in order to ensure that the SAICM agenda is clearly included.

ROLAC reported that LAC regional consultations are being coordinated by the UN Economic Commission for LAC (ECLAC), and an inter-agency document to be submitted should include the regional vision on chemicals and its implication for the green economy discussion at Rio+20. Several participants asked if they could access drafts of the document for review in order to ensure that it properly reflects SAICM and the chemicals agenda. When ROLAC responded that a document had not yet been circulated, Chair Guthrie suggested SAICM focal points should contact ECLAC to ensure their input.

REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Introducing this agenda item, Chair Guthrie recalled that the second LAC regional meeting agreed to develop a regional implementation plan and that the RCC would like the regional economic integration organizations, namely MERCOSUR, Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to endorse the Plan.

Mario Yarto, UNITAR consultant, explained the intent of the Plan and reviewed the basic outline proposed for it, noting that his work would draw in part on the example of Central America’s implementation plan drawn up by CCAD in 2009.

In the ensuing discussion, participants suggested: seeking endorsement of the Plan by the Andean Community (CAN); mentioning the role of the Basel and Stockholm regional centers in providing training and technical assistance; considering a vision that goes beyond 2020; taking into account information that had been reported through SAICM’s electronic reporting tool; identifying emerging issues key for the region; highlighting successful experiences; discussing how the chemicals agenda fits into efforts to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns; and taking into account Decision 7 on chemical substances taken in April 2010 by the LAC Forum of Environment Ministers, the chemicals information in the 2010 update of the GEO report for LAC, and the region’s submissions on chemicals to CSD 18. Yarto said he would try to capture all of these comments when producing the report.

The Meeting approved the outline as originally proposed. Chair Guthrie stressed that all parties wishing to provide information for the Plan must do so through the subregional focal points no later than 17 June 2011, since the consultant must complete a draft of the Plan by 31 July.

At the invitation of Chair Guthrie, Leyla Zelaya, CCAD, summarized CCAD’s implementation plan, noting that outcomes already achieved include: a common methodology for conducting a subregional mercury inventory; modifications in the subregional customs code regarding chemicals; and working with UNITAR to develop a subregional pollutants release and transfer registry (PRTR). Chair Guthrie, on behalf of RCC, said that since the CCAD plan already existed, it might be useful if an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses could be offered for OEWG1 discussion. Zelaya responded that would be possible.

CLOSURE OF THE MEETING

Chair Guthrie proposed that, given the number of texts to be cleaned up and finalized, key points on decisions taken during the meeting would be displayed for review and approval by meeting participants, and said that if all points were found by participants to be properly captured, finalization of the full report would be left to the rapporteur, Secretariat and focal points. Delegates approved the outline of key points. The meeting closed at 4:36 pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Second meeting of the ICCM Bureau: This is the second face-to-face meeting of the Bureau since ICCM2. dates: 9-10 June 2011 location: Ljubljana, Slovenia contact: SAICM Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8532 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:saicm@unep.orgwww: http://www.saicm.org/index.php?content=meeting&mid=135&def=1&menuid=

Third Steering Committee Meeting on the Cost of Inaction Initiative on Sound Management of Chemicals and the Fourth Steering Committee Meeting on the Global Chemicals Outlook: The third Steering Committee Meeting on the Cost of Inaction Initiative will meet from 15-16 June to review the first draft of the Baseline Assessment Report. The fourth Steering Committee Meeting on the Global Chemicals Outlook will meet from 16-17 June and is expected to review the work conducted to date, examine the potential contribution of the costs of inaction and establish the required arrangements for the drafting of the second pillar. dates: 15-17 June 2011 location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: Ms. Khanam Jauhan phone: +41-22-917-8273 email:khanam.jauhan@unep.org www: http://www.chem.unep.ch/unepsaicm/mainstreaming/default.htm

Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (PIC COP5): PIC COP5 will consider the recommendations of the Chemical Review Committee to list endosulfan and azinphos methyl in Annex III to the Convention. dates: 20-24 June 2011 location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: Rotterdam Convention Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8296 fax: +41-22 -917-8082 email:pic@pic.int www: http://www.pic.int/

Fourth Central and Eastern European (CEE) regional meeting on SAICM: This meeting will prepare for OEWG1. dates: 28-29 June 2011 location: Lodz, Poland contact: SAICM Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8532 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:saicm@unep.orgwww: http://www.saicm.org/index.php?content=meeting&mid=134&menuid=&def=1

Third Asia-Pacific regional meeting on SAICM: This meeting will prepare for OEWG1. dates: September 2011 (TBD) location: Beijing, China contact: SAICM Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8532 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:saicm@unep.org www: http://www.saicm.org

Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) Regional Consultation on Mercury: This meeting will prepare for, and work on common positions for, the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury. dates: 19-23 September 2011 location: Panama City, Panama contact: UNEP Mercury Programme phone: +41-22-917-8183 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:mercury@unep.org www: http://hqweb.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/MercuryNot/MercuryNegotiations/tabid/3320/language/en-US/Default.aspx

POPRC-7: The seventh meeting of the POPs Review Committee will consider additional chemicals for listing under the Stockholm Convention and respond to tasks assigned by COP5. dates: 10-14 October 2011 location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: Stockholm Convention Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8729 fax: +41-22-917-8098 email:ssc@unep.ch www: http://www.pops.int

Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention: This meeting will convene under the theme “Prevention, minimization and recovery of wastes.” dates: 17-21 October 2011 location: Cartagena, Colombia contact: Basel Convention Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8218 fax: +41-22-797-3454 email:sbc@unep.org www: http://www.basel.int/meetings/meetings.html

Third Session of the INC to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury: This meeting is scheduled to be the third of five INC meetings to negotiate a legally binding instrument on mercury. dates: 31 October-4 November 2011 location: Nairobi, Kenya contact: UNEP Mercury Programme phone: +41-22-917-8183 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:mercury@unep.org www: http://hqweb.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/MercuryNot/MercuryNegotiations/tabid/3320/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Open-Ended Working Group of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM OEWG): This meeting will act as a preparatory meeting for the ICCM3. dates: 14-18 November 2011 location: Belgrade, Serbia contact: SAICM Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8532 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:saicm@unep.org www: http://www.saicm.org

Third Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM3): This meeting is expected to consider, inter alia: adding nanotechnology and hazardous substances within the lifecycle of electrical and electronic products to the SAICM Global Plan of Action; adding endocrine disruptors and persistent pharmaceutical pollutants to the emerging issues; and the future of financing SAICM implementation after the expiration of the Quick Start Programme. date: 15-20 July 2012 location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: SAICM Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8532 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email:saicm@chemicals.unep.ch www: http://www.saicm.org

The Summary of the Third Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) <info@iisd.ca>, publishers of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin © <enb@iisd.org>. This issue was written by Keith Ripley. The Editor is Jessica Templeton <jessica@iisd.org>. The Summary of the Third Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is part of IISD Reporting Service’s Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Coverage Programme in partnership with the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI <kimo@iisd.org>. Funding for the Summary of the Third Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) has been provided by the International Development Research Centre, Canada, through the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Coverage Programme for IISD Reporting Service’s coverage of meetings in Latin America and the Caribbean. IISD can be contacted at 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4, Canada; tel: +1-204-958-7700; fax: +1-204-958-7710. The opinions expressed in the Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD. Excerpts from the Bulletin may be used in other publications with appropriate academic citation. Electronic versions of the Bulletin are sent to the electronic distribution list (in HTML and PDF formats) and can be found on the Linkages WWW-server at <http://enb.iisd.org/chemical/saicm/lacr3/>. For additional information, including requests to provide reporting services, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at <kimo@iisd.org>, +1-646-536-7556 or 300 East 56th St., 11D, New York, New York 10022, United States of America.