Despite a last round of thematic group negotiations in the morning, many provisions in the “IP Consolidated Document” for a post-2020 instrument on the sound management of chemicals and waste remain bracketed, indicating that consensus has not been reached.
After reviewing the text for any errors or omissions in the closing plenary, the Fourth meeting of the Intersessional Process (IP4) was suspended until two days before the start of the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) and will continue on 23-24 September 2023 in Bonn, Germany. At that time, the resumed IP4 will attempt to find consensus on as many items as possible before handing the Consolidated Document to ICCM5 negotiators.
The three thematic groups (TGs) met briefly in the morning. TG1 tried unsuccessfully to finish work on the instrument’s targets under Strategic Objective B (comprehensive and sufficient knowledge, data and information are generated, available and accessible to all to enable informed decisions and actions).
TG2 deliberated on which of the draft provisions of “issues of concern” for special attention and concerted action are largely substantive, and will therefore be placed in the main instrument, and which are largely procedural, and therefore belong in an annex.
TG3 heard a joint presentation by Iran and the International Conference of Chemical Associations (ICCA) on an alternative text regarding an online, global, transparent, and central matchmaking platform to assist countries in getting technical and capacity-building assistance and technology transfer for the sound management of chemicals and waste. The text was placed in the section on capacity building for later consideration.
Once the revised IP Consolidated Document was reviewed by delegates and the decision taken to suspend IP4, regional groups and others offered closing statements.
ICCM5 President Anita Breyer closed the meeting and expressed gratitude for the hosts, organizers, and participants. She noted aspirations for a more elaborate set of targets in the post-2020 instrument to inform the urgency of their work, along with a measurability structure. She urged delegates to work toward building a balance that would see the actions needed supported by the resources required to unlock agreements in other areas.
The meeting closed at 8:15 pm.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary and analysis of IP4 will be available on this site on Monday, 5 March 2023.
Text written and edited by Keith Ripley, Deborah Davenport, Ph.D., Jose F. Pinto-Bazurco, Ph.D., and Hillary Rosentreter.
All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For the SAICM IP4, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Diego Noguera
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Plenary
Anita Breyer (left), ICCM5 President, and delegates congratulate the SAICM Secretariat, IP Co-Chairs, and the Thematic Group Co-Facilitators for their hard work during the week.
Thematic Group 3 Co-Facilitator Jonah Ormond, Antigua and Barbuda
Thematic Group 2 Co-Facilitator Noluzuko “Zukie” Gwayi, South Africa
Sarah Coombs and Victoria Tunstall, Canada
Helges Bandeira and Lucianara Andrade Fonseca, Brazil
Sofia Tingstorp (center), EU
Erastus Muriki and Truphena Muthoni (sitting), address the plenary on behalf of the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) Chemicals and Waste Platform
Representatives from Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJSupport) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH Europe), discuss the consolidated document.
Gene Smilansky, US, and Sverre Thomas Jahre, Norway
Delegates from South Asia take a selfie.
Labour sector group photo
The German delegation
Thematic Group 1 on Vision, Strategic Objectives, Targets and Measurability
Delegates from Thematic Group 1 complete their work on Friday morning.
Mari-Liis Ummik, Estonia, facilitates the last section of work of Thematic Group 1.
Shannon Lisa, Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) Chemicals and Waste Platform
Delegates from the US, Canada, and the UK, confer during the Thematic Group.
Delegates from the African Region with Thematic Group 1 Co-Facilitator Serge Molly Allo’o Allo’o (left), Gabon
Thematic Group 2 on Mechanisms to Support Implementation
Happy faces begin to emerge from Thematic Group 2 as they approach the end of their agenda.
Thematic Group 2 delegates gather for their final day.
Thematic Group 3 on Financial Considerations Including Capacity Building
Co-Facilitators Reginald Hernaus, the Netherlands, and Jonah Ormond, Antigua and Barbuda, shake hands upon completion of the work of Thematic Group 3.
Sylvie Lemoine, International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
Thematic Group 3 delegates gather for 30 minutes to finalize their work.
Delegates from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), at the end of Thematic Group 3
The UK delegation
Around the Venue
UN sign at the entrance of the UN Complex in Nairobi
Representatives from the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) Chemicals and Waste Platform
Representatives from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)
Representatives from the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
Delegates from the African region
Delegates from the Anglophone African Region
Local students visit the SAICM talks
The Kenyan delegation
The ENB team at SAICM IP4 (L-R) Keith Ripley, US; Jose F. Pinto-Bazurco, Peru/Germany; Diego Noguera, Colombia; Hillary Rosentreter, Canada; Deborah Davenport, US; Tomilola Akanle Eni-ibukun, Nigeria; and Suzi Malan, South Africa
