Daily Web Coverage/Daily Reports/Summary Report
IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) has provided daily reports and web coverage of the Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Minamata Convention on Mercury October 9-11, and its preceding preparatory meeting October 7-8. A joint summary report of both events will be posted October 14. To download our reports, please click the HTML/PDF icons below.


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Curtain Raiser
7 Oct
8 Oct
9 Oct	-	-	-	-
10 Oct
11 Oct & Summary


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14 Oct

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14 Oct

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Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata Convention on Mercury
and preceding Preparatory Meeting

7-11 October 2013 | Kumamoto and Minamata, Japan

Daily web coverage (click on the following links to see our daily web pages)

Intro - 7 October - 8 October - 9 October - 10 October - 11 October - Summary

Highlights for Wednesday, 9 October 2013

On Wednesday, the Government of Japan hosted a field trip for delegates to Minamata as part of the ceremonial opening of the Diplomatic Conference.

The day’s program started with a remembrance to the victims of Minamata Disease at the Minamata Eco-Park. This park is built on fill, some of which is confined mercury-contaminated sludge removed from Minamata Bay. Participants laid a floral tribute at the Cenotaph for Minamata Disease Victims and the ministerial delegates took part in a tree planting ceremony.

Participants were treated to a lunch prepared by Minamata community members and had the opportunity to learn about the many activities that have made Minamata the first Eco-Capital of Japan.

In the afternoon, delegates visited the grounds and the Minamata Disease Archive and Municipal Museum, and had the opportunity to hear Minamata Disease victims share their story and met with local civil society, government and industry groups.

Delegates then attended the Ceremonial Opening at the Minamata City Culture Center, where they heard opening speeches, including a video address by Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and welcoming remarks by Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director.

Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment, Japan, Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Ikuo Kabashima, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, and Katsuaki Miyamoto, Mayor of Minamata, displayed a plaque commemorating the Conference of Plenipotentiaries.

Memorial and Tree Planting

Dignitaries arrived for the memorial and tree-planting ceremonies.

Katsuaki Miyamoto, Mayor of Minamata, welcomed dignitaries.

Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, and Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment, Japan, deposited paper cranes folded during the Preparatory Meeting at the memorial Cenotaph.

Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, and Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment, Japan, laid floral tributes at the Cenotaph.

Dignitaries laid floral tributes at the Cenotaph.

Dignitaries planted seedlings to extend the forest in the Eco-Park.

Ceremonial Opening

In a video message, Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, welcomed the adoption of this landmark convention that aims to eradicate mercury pollution, noting that Japan is now using only 0.4% of the mercury it had used in the 1960s. He pledged US$2 billion over the next three years to assist developing countries in tackling environmental problems.

Recalling the formation of UNEP was shaped by the story of Minamata Disease, Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, said the Minamata Convention celebrates our commitment to learn from history. Noting that multilateralism is not always easy, he said this Convention represents a breakthrough agreement that will speak to the stories heard earlier in the day.

Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment of Japan, underscored Japan’s commitment to the treaty’s speedy entry into force, and promised to contribute $1 million to promote capacity building and technology transfer. He highlighted that the National Institute for Minamata Disease will develop a convenient method for measuring mercury to share globally.

Ikuo Kabashima, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, said that the failure of yesterday can be the lesson of today and we must never forget that government put economic development ahead of the health of its citizens. He pledged to work tirelessly for a mercury-free society.

Katsuaki Miyamoto, Mayor of Minamata, said that because economics took precedence over life and the environment, humans and many other creatures lost their lives. He declared the Minamata Convention a major step for humankind and urged its swift entry into force.

Masami Ogata, Minamata Disease Municipal Museum Storyteller, shared his and his family’s suffering, including his struggle to be certified as a Minamata Disease Victim.

Ingo Gunther, environmental artist, introduced his art project “World Processor” that shines light on environmental issues through representations of the globe. His work was exhibited at the evening reception.