Highlights and images for 27 June 2025

OEWG Co-Chair Přemysl Štěpánek (Czechia)_OEWG1_26Jun25_photo.jpg

OEWG Co-Chair Přemysl Štěpánek (Czechia) gavels the first meeting of the OEWG to a close.

Noting that the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) was created because its predecessor failed to deliver on its goals, Children and Youth cautioned the closing plenary of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the need to ensure that the Framework is “not only meaningful on paper; it’s transformative in practice."

Children and Youth delegates

Dzejna Milaković-Ramadani, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lamin Jaiteh, the Gambia, Co-Chairs of the contact group on Issues of Concern_OEWG1_26Jun25_photo.jpg

Lamin Jaiteh, the Gambia, and Dzejna Milaković-Ramadani, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Co-Chairs of the contact group on Issues of Concern

Delegates spent the morning hearing key messages from the Multi-Stakeholder Day and discussing capacity building and preparations for the first GFC International Conference, slated to be held in 2026. Regarding key conclusions from the Multi-Stakeholder Day, Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Chair Bob Diderich summarized proposed follow-up actions on several crosscutting issues, such as:

knowledge sharing: to improve the interplay between regulatory and voluntary instruments, endeavoring to have lists of priority chemicals of concern work together;
reporting and disclosure: to advance alignment among existing instruments and actionable metrics; and
chemical footprinting: to increase harmonization among the methodologies, especially regarding terminology.

Diderich also noted strong willingness expressed to move forward with the plans for sectoral programmes on electronics, textiles, and healthcare, and strong interest in developing one for construction.

IOMC Chair Bob Diderich, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Delegates deliberated on the development of a strategy for capacity building and supporting technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, to submit to the GFC International Conference. Numerous delegates stressed that fulfilling the promise of the GFC depends on adequate means for implementation and offered suggestions for ensuring it.

Regarding preparations for the International Conference, no country has offered to host and its possible funding was reported as uncertain. The Secretariat noted that holding the meeting at a UN complex is tentatively an option if no hosting offer is forthcoming. The European Union promised to do what it could to help fund the Conference and urged others to do likewise.

João Paulo de Sousa Vieira, Brazil

Keima Gardiner, Trinidad and Tobago, Co-Chair, Ad Hoc Group on Measurability and Indicators

During “other matters,” Brazil, Chile, and Saudi Arabia presented a proposal for a recommendation asking the Secretariat to draft a resolution for Conference consideration clarifying the mandate, work modalities, and expected outcomes of the OEWG. They explained that they felt OEWG-1 demonstrated that delegates are confused about whether OEWG is expected to produce concrete outcomes and recommendations to the Conference, or “simply register views expressed by stakeholders.” Discussions will continue at the Conference.

In their closing statements, many delegates praised the strong engagement and rich dialogue among diverse stakeholders in the OEWG and reiterated their commitment to the multi-stakeholder, multi-sector approach to the sound management of chemicals and waste represented by the Framework.

Co-Chair Přemysl Štěpánek (Czechia) gaveled the meeting to a close at 5:27 pm.