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Follow-up to the Stockholm Convention COP-12

Check out the various calls for information and nominations set out in decisions of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention.

Follow-up to the Stockholm Convention COP-12

Follow-up to the Stockholm Convention COP-12
 
Outcomes of the COP-12 to the Stockholm Convention are now available

View the decisions adopted at the COP-12.

Outcomes of the COP-12 to the Stockholm Convention are now available

Outcomes of the COP-12 to the Stockholm Convention are now available
 
Press release - Making Visible the Invisible: Strengthened Action on Chemicals and Wastes

Geneva, Switzerland, 9 May 2025 — Governments from 180 countries adopted a series of bold decisions to advance the sound management of chemicals and wastes, protect human health, safeguard the environment and biodiversity and contribute to tackling climate change.

Press release - Making Visible the Invisible: Strengthened Action on Chemicals and Wastes

Press release - Making Visible the Invisible: Strengthened Action on Chemicals and Wastes

Geneva, Switzerland, 9 May 2025 — After two weeks of intensive negotiations (28 April to 9 May), the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions concluded today at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). Governments from 180 countries adopted a series of bold decisions to advance the sound management of chemicals and wastes, protect human health, safeguard the environment and biodiversity and contribute to tackling climate change.

These landmark decisions arising from intense multilateral negotiations have a profound impact on how we can address pollution, and its interconnectedness with climate change and biodiversity.” Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

High Level Segment: A Call for United Global Action to Tackle Pollution, Advance Circularity and Strengthen Implementation

The High-Level Segment of the 2025 COPs convened ministers from around the world to reinforce their commitment to addressing pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss through multilateral and integrated action. Key messages included strong support for eliminating persistent organic pollutants (POPs), aligning chemicals and waste management with climate and biodiversity goals, strengthening legal frameworks and promoting regulatory tools such as extended producer responsibility. Governments underscored the need for enhanced technical cooperation, digital traceability and innovative financing, including blended finance, to translate global commitments into inclusive national action.

Basel Convention (BC COP-17) Advances Environmentally Sound Waste Management

In a major step forward, Parties adopted an amendment to Annex IV to update definitions of disposal operations - providing enhanced clarity as to what is defined as waste under the Convention with a view to improving its environmental controls.

Delegates also adopted a new strategic framework for the Convention for 2025-2031, along with recommendations to improve the Prior Informed Consent procedure, the cornerstone of the Convention for controlling transboundary movements of waste. In addition, Parties adopted a range of recommendations from the Implementation and Compliance Committee to enhance the support provided to Parties in fulfillment of their obligations under the Convention.

Further actions were decided to improve the environmentally sound management of e-waste and plastic waste, with a focus on strengthening the implementation of the recent amendments to the Convention addressing these challenging waste streams.

A new area of work was launched on used textiles and textile wastes, exploring the impact of such trade and the challenges faced by Parties, with a view to preparing recommendations on possible options offered by the Convention to address these challenges.

The COP also agreed to several technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of key waste streams, including technical guidelines on UV-328 waste, a persistent chemical used in plastics and by various industries to protect materials from degradation caused by UV radiation. Parties also updated technical guidelines to set more protective threshold values for the destruction of POPs waste. Parties highlighted the need to safely manage used tyres, batteries (including lead-acid batteries and other types) and mercury waste. They agreed to continue developing technical guidelines that set international standards and support countries in creating national laws and strategies needed for effective and sustainable waste management.

Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) Strengthens International Trade Governance and Chemical Safety

The Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) achieved important progress in strengthening chemical safety in international trade by listing one pesticide and one severely hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III of the Convention making them subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure and empowering Parties to take informed decisions regarding their future import.

Fenthion is a chemical used in some African countries to control Quelea birds, which can destroy entire fields of grain crops like millet and rice. These birds travel in huge flocks and cause serious damage, especially to small-scale farmers. Fenthion helps protect food supplies but due to its broad-spectrum toxicity and environmental persistence, it can also harm other birds, animals and people if not managed carefully.

Carbosulfan is a pesticide used on crops like rice, cotton and vegetables to kill pests such as insects and tiny worms in the soil. It helps farmers protect their crops and improve yields, but it’s also toxic to humans, wildlife and aquatic life.

Though listing does not constitute a ban, alternatives with a reduced risk are vital to protect human health and the environment, and at the same time help ensure food security.” Christine Fuell, Executive Secretary a.i. of the Rotterdam Convention

Their listing also reinforces the Convention’s role in promoting transparency and safeguarding human health and the environment. In addition, RC COP-12 approved a programme of work for the Convention’s compliance committee and engaged in intensive deliberations on proposals to enhance the Convention’s effectiveness, underscoring commitment to ensuring safer, more transparent trade in hazardous chemicals globally.

Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) Decisive Action to Eliminate and Restrict POPs

The Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) advanced global chemical safety by listing medium chain chlorinated paraffins used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, paints and sealants and long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), commonly used in food packaging and firefighting foams. Listing these chemicals in Annex A to the Convention lines them up for elimination.

Chlorpyrifos, a highly toxic pesticide widely used in agriculture for locust and termite control and known to have adverse effects on the nervous system, was also listed. Specific, time-bound exemptions were agreed for the use of UV-328, a chemical commonly used to protect materials from degradation caused by UV radiation, specifically in the aviation industry, supporting the practical phase-out of harmful chemicals.

Parties recognized that over USD 18 billion of funding is needed to support countries in implementing their obligations under the Stockholm Convention during the 2026-2030 period. This submission, along with the 2025 and 2028 PCB elimination targets, will be prioritized for presentation to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for consideration during its ninth replenishment cycle. The newly operationalized Compliance Committee will provide both targeted and general support to help Parties fulfill their obligations under the Convention.

COPs Reinforce International Cooperation and Support to Advance Chemicals and Waste Management

The Conferences of the Parties (COPs) reaffirmed the vital importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges related to chemicals and waste. Parties adopted key decisions to enhance implementation through technical assistance and improved access to financing. They also committed to stronger collaboration with other environmental agreements and initiatives, including the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC), the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), the Open-ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and related biodiversity conventions. Governments underscored that sound management of chemicals and waste is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Felix Neureuther Named BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers

The Conferences of the Parties welcomed the appointment of German alpine ski champion and long-standing environmental advocate Felix Neureuther as the BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers. In this role, Felix will collaborate with the BRS Conventions to promote prevention, support clean-up initiatives and engage youth - helping to amplify the Conventions’ mission to protect human health and the environment from the harmful impacts of hazardous chemicals and waste.

Notes to editors

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, is the most comprehensive international environment treaty on hazardous and other wastes and is almost universal, with 191 Parties. With an overarching objective of protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, its scope covers a wide range of waste subject to transboundary movements defined as hazardous based on their origin and/or composition and characteristics, as well as four types of waste defined as “other wastes”, namely household waste, residues arising from the incineration of household waste ash, certain plastic waste and certain electronic and electrical waste requiring special consideration.

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004, is jointly administered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Environment (UNEP). The 167 Parties to this legally binding Convention share responsibility and cooperate to safely manage chemicals in international trade. The Convention does not introduce bans but facilitates the exchange of information among Parties on hazardous chemicals and pesticides, to inform and improve national decision making. In addition, through the PIC Procedure, it provides a legally binding mechanism to support national decision-making on the import and export of certain chemicals and pesticides and disseminates decisions to Parties.

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its 186 Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, or BRS Secretariat, supports Parties implement these three leading multilateral environment agreements governing sound chemicals and waste management, according to the mandates in each Convention and as decided by the governing bodies.

For media enquiries, contact:

Maria Cristina Cardenas-Fischer, Head of Unit and Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor, Policy and Strategy Unit, Executive Office, BRS Secretariat, maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org and mea-brs-communications@un.org

Felix Neureuther - Former Alpine Skiing World Champion - Named BRS conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers

Renowned alpine ski legend joins global push to protect mountain ecosystems from plastic and chemical pollution.

Felix Neureuther - Former Alpine Skiing World Champion - Named BRS conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers

Felix Neureuther - Former Alpine Skiing World Champion - Named BRS conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers
 
Watch the Ministerial Interactive Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 1 May at 10:00 - 13:00 CET

We invite you to be a part of the second day of the ministerial interactive discussions where outcomes on the sub-themes pollution, circularity, and implementation will be presented and discussed, available in six languages.

Watch the Ministerial Interactive Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 1 May at 10:00 - 13:00 CET

Watch the Ministerial Interactive Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 1 May at 10:00 - 13:00 CET
 
Watch the Opening Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 30 April at 15:00 - 16:00 CET

Be part of the global conversation on pollution, circularity, and implementation. Watch the Opening Ceremony discussions on YouTube, available in six languages.

Watch the Opening Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 30 April at 15:00 - 16:00 CET

Watch the Opening Plenary of the High-Level Segment - 30 April at 15:00 - 16:00 CET
 
The 2025 BRS COPs Have Officially Begun!

The Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions are now underway from 28 April to 9 May. Join the global effort to make the invisible visible. Explore our daily video highlights and photo gallery in the BRS COPs 2025 Newsroom.

The 2025 BRS COPs Have Officially Begun!

The 2025 BRS COPs Have Officially Begun!
 
Publication of the second effectiveness evaluation report now available

The second effectiveness evaluation report of the Stockholm Convention, which was welcomed by COP 11, is now available in a fully formatted publication. This comprehensive evaluation reviews global progress in eliminating POPs and highlights key challenges. Developed by the effectiveness evaluation committee, it provides crucial insights into the Convention’s impact and areas for improvement.

Publication of the second effectiveness evaluation report now available

Publication of the second effectiveness evaluation report now available
 
Finalized draft BAT and BEP guidance on POPs contaminated sites now available

The finalized draft BAT and BEP guidance on identifying and managing sites contaminated with POPs is now available for consideration by the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. This guidance has been developed by BAT and BEP experts to guide Parties in the identification, assessment, management, and remediation of POPs contaminated sites, and in their actions to minimize and prevent releases of POPs from contaminated sites.

Finalized draft BAT and BEP guidance on POPs contaminated sites now available

Finalized draft BAT and BEP guidance on POPs contaminated sites now available
 
Stockholm Convention COP 12 meeting documents available

All meeting documents for the 2025 BRS COPs are now available in the 6 UN languages.

Stockholm Convention COP 12 meeting documents available

Stockholm Convention COP 12 meeting documents available
 
In preparation for the 2025 BRS COPs potential chairs trained!

Two training sessions of potential chairs for meetings of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions were held in Geneva from 3 to 7 February 2025.

In preparation for the 2025 BRS COPs potential chairs trained!

In preparation for the 2025 BRS COPs potential chairs trained!
 
BRS Highlights
 

BRS Highlights

BRS Highlights
 
Fiji has transmitted its revised and updated national implementation plan

The Government of Fiji transmitted on 16 January 2025 its revised and updated national implementation plan under Article 7, addressing the amendments adopted by COPs 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Fiji has transmitted its revised and updated national implementation plan

Fiji has transmitted its revised and updated national implementation plan
 
Proposed budgets for the biennium 2026-2027 now available

The proposed programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026-2027 to be considered by the 2025 BRS COPs are now available .

Proposed budgets for the biennium 2026-2027 now available

Proposed budgets for the biennium 2026-2027 now available
 
BRS Highlights 2024

The BRS Secretariat is proud to share with you some of the key highlights in the year of 2024.

BRS Highlights 2024

BRS Highlights 2024
 
The Global Environment Facility approves landmark USD 206.8 million programme to eliminate PCBs by 2028

The GEF Council has approved a groundbreaking global programme dedicated to the elimination PCBs. This ambitious initiative combines USD 43.8 million in GEF grant funding with USD 163 million in partner co-financing and represents a major milestone towards meeting the Stockholm Convention’s 2025 and 2028 PCB elimination goals and facilitating the energy transition to reduce the effects of climate change.

The Global Environment Facility approves landmark USD 206.8 million programme to eliminate PCBs by 2028

The Global Environment Facility approves landmark USD 206.8 million programme to eliminate PCBs by 2028
 
 Invitation letters to the 2025 BRS COPs have been sent out

The invitation letters for the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties, as well as the high-level segment have been sent out to Parties. Information is available on the 2025 COPs webpages.

Invitation letters to the 2025 BRS COPs have been sent out

 Invitation letters to the 2025 BRS COPs have been sent out
 
Applications for requesting exhibition booths for the “Make Visible the Invisible Fair” during the 2025 BRS COPs are now open!

The Fair is an interactive event that will be held from 30 April to 2 May 2025, at the Geneva International Conference Centre and will focus on the theme selected for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three conventions “Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and waste”.

Applications for requesting exhibition booths for the “Make Visible the Invisible Fair” during the 2025 BRS COPs are now open!

Applications for requesting exhibition booths for the “Make Visible the Invisible Fair” during the 2025 BRS COPs are now open!
 
Host a side event during the forthcoming meetings of the conferences of the Parties in 2025!

Applications are now open to host a side event at the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions from 28 April to 9 May 2025. Don’t miss out, apply online now!

Host a side event during the forthcoming meetings of the conferences of the Parties in 2025!

Host a side event during the forthcoming meetings of the conferences of the Parties in 2025!
 
Tentative schedule of work of the 2025 BRS COPs now available!

The bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions met at a joint meeting in Geneva on 5 November 2024 and agreed to the tentative schedule of work for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties.

Tentative schedule of work of the 2025 BRS COPs now available!

Tentative schedule of work of the 2025 BRS COPs now available!
 
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