The food we eat, air we breathe, water we drink, and clothes we wear are all contaminated. Chemicals and waste pollution affects our health directly and indirectly, through environmental contamination. The scientific communities working on health and the environmental impacts of chemicals and waste are still uncovering the extent and interrelationships of these risks.
Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
Because of these health risks, several called for the World Health Organization (WHO) to take a strong role in the future science-policy panel on chemicals and waste to help prevent pollution. On Wednesday, a proposal was made available to delegates, outlining a joint secretariat for the new panel shared by the WHO and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). While several expressed their support, one noted that ensuring smooth functioning of a joint secretariat is not an easy task. The proposal raised many questions, largely around the legal implications of the arrangement. Many delegates have experience with the processes and procedures of UNEP, so some sought clarity on the WHO’s structure.
Much of the detailed negotiations focused on the “foundational document.” This is the main deliverable due for this meeting. It sets out the main features of the new science-policy panel: its scope, objective, functions, institutional arrangements, and much more. It’s lengthy and far from completion. Many want to make sure that the rules of procedure are also finished while in Geneva, to ensure a smooth start to the panel’s work. All these discussions will shape the ambition, transformative potential, and effectiveness of the future panel to inform policy and practice with sound science to protect human health and the environment.
All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For this event, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis
To receive free coverage of global environmental events delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the ENB Update newsletter.
Plenary Session
Open-ended Working Group Chair Gudi Alkemade
Toks Akinseye, UK, reporting back from Contact Group 4
Kateřina Šebková, Czechia, reporting back from Contact Group 2
Sofia Tingstorp, Sweden, reporting back from Contact Group 1
Lesley Onyon, WHO
Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of Industry and Economy, UNEP
Itsuki Kuroda, Japan, reporting back from Contact Group 3
Michel Tschirren, Switzerland
Cyrus Mageria, Kenya
Eduardo Campos Navas, Honduras
Heidi Morka, Norway
Vladimir Lenev, Russian Federation
Bart Rymen and Sebastian Gil, EU
Contact Groups
View of the room during Contact Group 1
Christina Charlotte Tolfsen, Norway
Maria AlJishi, Saudi Arabia
View of the dais during Contact Group 3
Víctor Alfonso Rey Arismendy, Colombia
Gricha Zurita, Secretariat
Wilhelmina Quaye, Ghana
View of the dais during Contact Group 1
Osvaldo Patricio Álvarez Pérez, Chile
Mpho Tshitangoni, South Africa
Gene Smilansky, US
Contact Group 2 Co-Facilitators Kateřina Šebková, Czechia, and Moleboheng Juliet Petlane, Lesotho
Major Groups and Stakeholders
From L-R: UNEP Major Groups Facilitating Committee Co-Chair Mohamed Abdelraouf; Erik Rushton, European Chemical Industry Council; and Michelle Bloor, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
Camilla Alexander-White, Royal Society of Chemistry
Melissa Wang, Greenpeace International
Miriam Diamond, International Panel on Chemical Pollution
Michelle Bloor, SETAC
Dalia Fernanda Márquez Añez, Juventud Unida en Acción
Bipul Saha and Jean Pelin, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Between Sessions
Major Groups and Stakeholders family photo
Frankie Orona, Society of Native Nations, with Gladys Terrazas, Red, Paz, Integración y Desarrollo "PAZINDE"
Delegates from the EU
Hamid Rhiouani, Morocco, and Adel Shafei Osman, Egypt
Delegates from Saudi Arabia
Sam Adu-Kumi, Ghana, with Adel Shafei Osman, Egypt
Michelle Bloor, SETAC, with Bob Watson, University of East Anglia
