Modern society’s reliance on chemicals makes chemicals production one of the major and most globalized sectors of the global world economy. However, the essential economic role of chemicals and their contribution to improved living standards needs to be balanced with recognition of potential costs: heavy use of water and energy in their manufacture and the potential adverse impacts of chemicals on the environment and human health. The diversity and potential severity of such impacts makes sound chemicals management a key cross-cutting issue for sustainable development.

To address these issues, representatives from governments, the private sector, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, youth, and academia adopted in September 2023 a comprehensive, voluntary, multi-stakeholder agreement, the Global Framework on Chemicals - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC). The GFC aims to guide countries and stakeholders in jointly addressing the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste, promoting safe and sustainable use while preventing negative impacts. The GFC replaces the 2006 Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).

The new agreement created the International Conference as its principal decision-making body. The Conference is to meet every three years; the first session is tentatively slated for the final quarter of 2026. Between Conference sessions, an Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) takes stock of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the prior conference and prepare for the next.

The first meeting of the GFC OEWG examined the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) when it adopted the GFC, and prepare for the first session of the GFC’s International Conference.

Regarding implementation of the ICCM’s resolutions, the OEWG discussed:

• proposals for arrangements to operationalize the Framework, including the results of stakeholder consultations on implementation arrangements facilitated by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC);
• the formation of a global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides;
• the status of contributions to, and initial disbursements from, the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund;
• an assessment of existing financial and investment flows, as well as financial needs, associated with the implementation of the Framework;
• the status of work to update the 2013 report on the “Costs of Inaction on the Sound Management of Chemicals”;
• the work of an open-ended ad hoc group on measurability and indicators to prepare recommendations for the finalization of the measurability structure;
• the draft strategy for capacity-building and supporting technology transfer on mutually agreed terms;
• which issues the GFC will treat as “issues of concern”;
• draft guidelines for GFC national focal points;
• a proposal for the creation of a global network of health surveillance systems;
• progress in the development of an action plan on mainstreaming a gender perspective and promoting gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls in chemicals and waste management; and
• cooperation and coordination with other international organizations and agreements, as well as the implications for the GFC of the creation of science-policy panel on chemicals and waste.

In addition to preparations for the first session of the GFC’s International Conference, the OEWG considered the programme of work and draft budget for the GFC Secretariat until the Conference convenes.

The OEWG was held from 24-27 June 2025 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Keith Ripley; Deborah Davenport, Ph.D.; María Gutiérrez, Ph.D.; and Moritz Petersmann. The Digital Editor was Natalia Mroz. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.