UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

In their discussions toward the establishment of a science-policy panel to contribute to the sound management of chemicals and waste and the prevention of pollution, delegates focused on the scope and functions of the panel. Capacity building attracted particular attention, and was supported as an additional function of the panel.

Speakers from Mongolia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Korea Institute for Promoting Asia Biosafety Cooperation, and UNEP shared how they are jointly strengthening the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

While most delegations seem to agree that there are negative effects surrounding plastic pollution, it was clear they have yet to find common ground on the details and contents of key substantive themes that will determine the scope and guide the implementation of the future international treaty.

This meeting provided the opportunity for Member States and other stakeholders to state their views on what the future science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution should look like. Many agreed it should be lean, flexible, and policy-relevant, not policy prescriptive.

For each part of the the triple planetary crisis, the Montevideo Programme V will seek to help countries with legal responses to implement their obligations under relevant multilateral environment agreements.