The penultimate day is in some ways the most important. All the documents need to be finalized by the end of the day so they can be sent for translation into the six UN languages and readied for possible adoption on Friday. Participants at the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) worked throughout the day to advance their work as much as possible to meet these deadlines.
Work proceeded well in some areas. Participants addressed all the outstanding issues relating to the Dechlorane Plus draft risk management evaluation and the “medium chain chlorinated paraffins” draft risk profile. Both contact groups finalized their respective documents and related draft decisions. These will be forwarded to the Committee for possible adoption.
In the case of Dechlorane Plus, the recommendation in the draft decision, if adopted by the Committee, will be sent to the COP for consideration. UV-328 is also at the stage where a decision could lead to further action by the COP. Work on this UV filter, used in plastics, continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Much of the discussion focused on refining the draft risk management evaluation.
Progress was not so forthcoming in discussions on chlorpyrifos. Participants continued to debate a longer list of concerns, including to what extent the pesticide represents a risk in remote regions. Unable to reach agreement on whether global action is warranted, the group closed to Committee members only in the evening to continue deliberations on a way forward.
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Selected Images
A view of the UV-328 contact group
POPRC member Christina Tolfsen, Norway, discusses with POPRC member Artak Khachatryan, Armenia
POPRC member Gotfried Uiseb, Namibia
A view of the afternoon contact group on “medium chain chlorinated paraffins”