Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note, which was prepared in consultation with the presidents of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, sets out a proposal for the conduct of the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to assist participants in preparing for the meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work for the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (annex I) and a list of possible contact and other groups (annex II). The tentative schedule of work, which was agreed to by the bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the three conventions at their joint meeting on 5 November 2024, is provisional and could be subject to changes before or during the two weeks of the meetings. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the Parties present at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Secretariat has prepared a table listing those States and political or regional economic integration organizations that have deposited with the depositary their relevant instruments expressing their consent to be bound by these conventions, as at 20 January 2025. This table is attached as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a provisional list of meeting documents for the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The documents listed in the annex are grouped according to the items on the provisional agenda for the meeting to which they pertain. Documents that have three document symbols are joint documents that are submitted for consideration by the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/CHW.17/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.12/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in annex I to the present note. Annex II, III and IV further outline the past membership of the Bureaux of the conferences of the Parties and the regional rotation between the Rapporteur and the President, as well as the past membership of subsidiary bodies under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, respectively. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/11), annex I to the present note sets out the curricula vitae received, in advance of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, of candidates nominated for appointment as members of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee with terms of office beginning on 5 May 2026 and ending on 4 May 2030.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the specific exemptions and acceptable purposes under the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/4), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the review of information relevant for the decision on the request for the extension of specific exemptions, prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and the promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/5), the DDT expert group assessed the information on production and use of DDT and prepared a report for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its twelfth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and the promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/5), the annex to the present note sets out the report by the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/6), the annex to the present note sets out a draft revised guidance for the development of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) inventories and determination of PCB content, prepared by the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls re-established in paragraph 6 of decision SC-9/3. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/6), the annex to the present note sets out a revised strategy for Parties to meet the 2025 and 2028 goals on polychlorinated biphenyls of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants prepared by the Secretariat in collaboration with the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls re-established in paragraph 6 of decision SC-9/3. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities of the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/7), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Convention prepared by the Secretariat and reviewed by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee at its twentieth meeting, held in Rome from 23 to 27 September 2024. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/8), the reports of the expert meetings on best available techniques and best environmental practices, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 7 to 9 November 2023 and from 8 to 10 October 2024 are set out in the annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. Annex I reproduces the report of the former meeting, as set out in document UNEP/POPS/TOOLKIT/BATBEP/2023/1/3, while annex II reproduces the report of the latter meeting, as set out in document UNEP/POPS/TOOLKIT/BATBEP/2024/1/10. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/8), in its decision SC-11/5, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention invited Parties and others to nominate experts with relevant expertise to be added to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/8), the draft guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices relevant to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and Dechlorane Plus listed with specific exemptions under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants updated by the experts on best available techniques and best environmental practices is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/8), the draft guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices relevant to short-chain chlorinated paraffins listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants developed by the experts on best available techniques and best environmental practices is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/8), the draft guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices relevant to UV-328 listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants developed by the experts on best available techniques and best environmental practices is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out information on the status of transmission of implementation plans, including revised and updated implementation plans, pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and dates of receipt by the Secretariat as at 16 January 2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on preparing inventories of methoxychlor. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on preparing inventories of Dechlorane Plus. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on preparing inventories of UV-328. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10), the annex to present note sets out draft guidance on alternatives to methoxychlor. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on alternatives to Dechlorane Plus. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on alternatives to UV-328. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/11), annexes I and II to the present note set out decision POPRC-20/5 and a report outlining the options for identifying persistent organic pollutants in stockpiles, products and articles in use and in wastes and issues related to the production, import and export of products and articles containing persistent organic pollutants, respectively. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/11), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties relating to the listing of chemicals in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants recommended by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee. The comments were submitted by Bahamas, Costa Rica, Eswatini, European Union, Gabon, Guinea, Iraq, Republic of Moldova and Thailand. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2022–2025 in the biennium 2024–2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance plan for the implementation of the three conventions for 2026–2029. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/18-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/15), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the technical assistance needs of developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the technical assistance available from developed country Parties and others. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on regional centres under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/CHW.17/17 and UNEP/POPS/COP.12/16), the annexes to the present note set out reports by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the full report on the assessment of the funding needed by developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention over the period 2026−2030, prepared by three independent experts, Suely Carvalho, William Kwan and Niko Urho. The report is reproduced as submitted. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the present note provides an overview of validation activities to support the assessment of funding needed by developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants over the period 2026–2030. Annex I to the present note provides a summary of the activities undertaken, including an analysis of the outcomes and recommendations for future validation activities. Annex II sets out the full report on the validation activities.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), a compilation of submissions received from developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition on funding needs to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants over the period 2026−2030 is set out in annex I to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the present note refers to the request to the Secretariat set out in paragraph 15 (b) of decision SC-11/14 on financial mechanism to update, subject to the availability of resources, the report on further options for addressing the needs, including funding needs, and the challenges met to reach the targets related to the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In response, the Secretariat prepared the report contained in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the full draft report on the sixth review of the financial mechanism of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, prepared by two independent experts, Greg Filyk and Marcia Joppert. It is reproduced as submitted. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the present note refers to the information request set out in paragraphs 8 to 10 of decision SC-11/14 on ways in which Parties and other sources can provide support for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. A summary of the submissions is contained in annex I to the present note. A compilation of all submissions received as of 28 February 2025 is set out in annex II to the present note. This compilation should be read in conjunction with previous submissions from Parties on this matter. The online questionnaire used to submit responses is reproduced in annex III to the present note. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the report prepared by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Council of the Global Environment Facility with regard to cooperation between the secretariats and reciprocal representation, including follow-up actions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting. The report is reproduced as submitted. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the mobilization of resources under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions from non-State actors (UNEP/CHW.17/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the findings on the possible development of a non-State actor resource mobilization strategy, including key considerations and possible elements for the development of such a strategy. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on activities of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and the Global Framework on Chemicals. The report is reproduced as submitted. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/21), the following documents are set out as annexes to the present note:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/21), the annex to the present note sets out the guidance on the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants, updated by the global coordination group under the global monitoring plan. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury (UNEP/CHW.17/21–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/23), annex I to the present note sets out a report on the main joint cooperative activities undertaken in 2023 and 2024 by the secretariats of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm conventions Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in areas of mutual interest. The report was prepared jointly by the two secretariats. Annex II to the present note contains an outline on the main joint activities planned for 2025 and the biennium 2026–2027, developed by the two secretariats. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out in section I a report providing detailed information on the international cooperation and coordination activities undertaken by the Secretariat with international bodies, including intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, international non-governmental organizations, and networks from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. Section II of the annex contains information on cooperation with other entities for activities with an international scope from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. The activities described in the report are either specific to one Convention or relevant to two or three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an exploratory study on interlinkages between the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note contains the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the respective conferences of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. A revised version of the report has been received on 4 March 2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out an update on the ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution since 2023, submitted by the Secretariat of the open-ended working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.17/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/22-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/25), the annex to the present note sets out the workplan for the implementation of the clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 2026–2027. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on “Mainstreaming gender” (UNEP/CHW.17/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/23–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), annex I to the present note sets out an internal review of the implementation of the Gender Action Plan of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for 2013-2023 conducted by the Secretariat. Annex II sets out a draft of a new gender action plan, also prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/26), the annex to the present note sets out case studies prepared by the Secretariat on action taken by Parties to implement and enforce the trade control measures of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/24–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/27), the annex to the present note sets out a report on amending the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System to identify substances and products containing the chemicals listed in Annexes A and B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on “From Science to Action” (UNEP/CHW.17/26-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/25-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/28), the annex to the present note sets out information on workshops and other actions taken to implement the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue to enhance science-based actions under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-16/28, RC-11/15 and SC-11/27, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024–2025, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They are consistent with the action proposed in the working documents for the meetings and should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/69/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/39/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/58/Rev.1).

Note by the Secretariat

1. By decision SC-1/3, subsequently amended by decision SC-5/2, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted financial rules for the operation of the Conference of the Parties, its subsidiary bodies and the Secretariat. Paragraph 1 of rule 3, which deals with the budget, requires the Executive Secretary to dispatch information on actual income and expenditure for each year of the previous biennium and estimates of actual expenditures in the current biennium, to all Parties to the Convention at least 90 days before the opening of the meeting of the Conference of the Parties at which the budget for a given biennium is to be adopted.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2026–2027: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.17/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/26–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/29), the annex to the present note contains the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the respective conferences of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. A revised version of the report has been received on 4 March 2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. Meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall take place at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless the Conference of the Parties decides otherwise or other appropriate arrangements are made by the Secretariat in consultations with the Parties. In the case of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the seat of the Secretariat is at Geneva, Switzerland. In the case of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the seats of the Secretariat are at Geneva, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in UNEP/CHW.17/INF/74–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/45– UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/63, Governments wishing to submit offers to host the 2027 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, were invited to submit such offers to the Secretariat if possible by 28 January 2025.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/11), in response to the requests in decision SC-11/8, the Secretariat has compiled and updated the indicative lists of substances covered by the listing of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, as well as perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC 16/26, RC-11/13 and SC-11/25, on the venue and dates of the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the conferences of the Parties decided that their next meetings, to be held back to back, from 28 April to 9 May 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, would include a high-level segment of no more than one day’s duration.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the organization of the high-level segment of the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/35–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/47–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/INF/67), the Secretariat has prepared a thought starter containing background information on the theme of the high-level segment and guiding questions to facilitate the ministerial roundtable discussions and the interactive panel discussions.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and the promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/5), the annex to the present note sets out information from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the use of DDT and DDT alternatives in disease vector control. The WHO Guidelines for Malaria are available on the WHO website.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the proposal to amend Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/31) by the Government of Ethiopia, annex I to the present note sets out an explanatory note on the proposal from the Government of Ethiopia. Additionally, on 18 January 2025, the Secretariat received further communication from the Government of Ethiopia, as set out in annex II to the present note. Both submissions are reproduced as received. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the proposal to amend Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/31), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties relating to the proposal from the Government of Ethiopia to amend Annex A to the Convention. The comments were submitted by the European Union, Guatemala, Liberia, New Zealand and Oman. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat entitled “Addressing chemicals of concern in plastics through multilateral environmental agreements”. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/21), the annex to the present note sets out a report on activities supporting the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants, as submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.12/19), in decision SC-11/16, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Secretariat to evaluate the effectiveness of its strategy to increase the rate of submission and the completeness of national reports by Parties and, based on the results and feedback received and taking into account the main findings, conclusions and recommendations of the second effectiveness evaluation report pertaining to reporting pursuant to Article 15, to make modifications to the strategy as necessary and report back at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.17/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/24–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/27), the annex to the present note sets out a workplan outlining timelines and associated actions, to strengthen Parties’ capacity to provide information about confirmed cases and experience related to preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and waste. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.