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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

BCRC South-East Asia (Jakarta) championing e-waste management



 
Ridwan Tamin and Rolph Payet at the BCRC in Jakarta
The Basel Convention Regional Centre (BCRC) for South-East Asia in Indonesia addresses in particular electronic waste issues in the region, among other issues. Established in 2004, it is also a Stockholm Convention Regional Centre since 2011. It primarily assists the following ten countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. My visit to the Basel Convention Regional Centre for South-East Asia, together with my BRS colleague, Mr. Suman Sharma, was facilitated by the Director of the Centre, Mr. Ridwan Tamin. 

I was very impressed by the enormous amount of work completed by a relatively small centre, especially on developing guidelines and training for recycling, refurbishment and reconditioning of used electrical and electronic devices, as well as on the management of e-wastes. The support of the Government of Indonesia was clearly evident and needs to be commended. However, it is important that the BRS Secretariat, through partners, identifies means to further develop and expand the scope of the Centre, especially within its area of competency, hazardous wastes, drawing links to the Stockholm, Rotterdam and the Minamata Mercury Conventions, as well as SAICM implementation.

Globally, and especially in this region, the rise in disused and discarded electric and electronic waste is of great concern. According to a 2012 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, the explosion of e-waste has been driven in part by population growth and rising consumption.  But it also owes much to the proliferation of high-tech devices worldwide, rapid obsolescence, manufacturing techniques that make disassembly difficult, and widespread unawareness of the toxic nature of materials hidden in personal computers, cell phones, monitors, and many other electronic products.  Nevertheless, work undertaken by the Centre shows that there are significant opportunities and solutions available to extend the life of electronic equipment, reduce costs, protect the environment, and create jobs at the same time. By training and establishing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) specializing in the clean reconditioning and recycling of electrical and electronic wastes, it is possible to limit the volume of e-wastes destined for final disposal, thus reducing soil and water contamination, as well as stimulating the creation of jobs in the region.

Meeting with BCRC staff
The issue of e-waste will be extensively discussed at the forthcoming 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in May.  The focus of these discussions will be on the technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electronic and electrical waste and used electrical and electronic equipment.  It is imperative that these guidelines are adopted to enable the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, together with its partners, to address some of the challenges related to e-waste. There are a number of lessons to be learnt from initiatives implemented in Southeast Asia; however, this region needs further support to implement measures and mechanisms to address used electronic and electrical wastes, which reduce the impact of recycling, refurbishment and reconditioning on the environment and health. This support can be further enhanced through partnerships with local authorities, the private sector, development banks and other entities. 

To learn more about our activities on e-waste , follow this link


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The Central and Eastern European and Central Asian regions are characterized by countries that have different capacities to deal with chemicals and waste management

Speech delivered at the Joint BRS-Minimata Workshop in Bratislava


Mr. Vojtech Ferencz, State Secretary, Ministry of Environment,
Mr. Dusan Jurik, Director, Directorate of Environmental Assessment and Management,
Mr. Martin Vavrinek, Director General, Slovak Environment Agency,
Mr. Martin Lakanda, Director, Section of Environmental Science and Project Management,
Mr. Lajos Szabo, National Programme Officer, Embassy of Switzerland for Slovakia,
Ms. Dana Lapesová, Director, Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for Central Europe in Bratislava,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to join my distinguished colleagues in welcoming you to the Central and Eastern European and Central Asian Regional Preparatory meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 2015 COPs and the Regional Workshop in support of the ratification and effective implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.  

Besides being a historical event for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the regional preparatory meetings are intended to provide you as Parties with the opportunity to better prepare for the upcoming COPs. Therefore, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance these meetings hold in the wider chemicals and waste agenda.

First and foremost, by holding these meetings together we are further strengthening the implementation of the three conventions and creating the momentum required to move towards ratification of the Minamata Convention. This comes at a critical time as parties have asked for a review of the synergies arrangements.

Negotiating and adopting a convention is by no means an easy task and should be celebrated, however ratification and implementation is where the real work actually lies.  This is where we bring together professionals from around the world to perform the work of a secretariat, which in response to the needs of the parties, puts in place mechanisms, measures and programmes to support parties in meeting their obligations under the conventions. Indeed one of the most debated decisions of a conference of the parties is finance and budget – we all want smaller and more efficient secretariats and we all want more action on the ground, because this is where we can make a real difference.

Having a joint secretariat implies that our staff today are geared to deliver a wide range of services from conference services, to scientific support, to technical assistance which covers the needs of parties and also seeks to take into consideration the sound management of chemicals and wastes, the life cycle approach, and most importantly its contribution to alleviating poverty and the post-2015 agenda. It is imperative that we never lose sight of the many benefits environmentally sound chemicals bring to our communities, economies and countries, nor the significant opportunities of integrated waste management. Therefore, the identification of possible areas for synergies and most importantly partnerships at the global, regional and national levels is critical for progress towards this goal. As we move towards our triple COPs in May, I am confident we can further explore those opportunities under these synergies arrangements.

During the two days dedicated to the BRS regional preparatory meeting this week, our aim is to bring you up to speed with the preparations for the upcoming triple COPs.

Responding to the back-to-back nature of the BRS COPs in 2013, Parties requested assistance from the Secretariat in organizing meetings to assist regional preparatory processes.  I am delighted to say that thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have managed to organize regional preparatory meetings in the Asia/Pacific, Africa, CEE and GRULAC regions.  It is my belief that these meetings will contribute immensely to the success of the conferences of the parties in 2015 by giving regions the opportunity to consult each other in advance of the meetings, consider meeting documents, discuss substantive matters, identify regional priorities and challenges, and facilitate the preparation of regional positions.  The Secretariat will be here to assist you in your deliberations and clarify any issues you may have.

This is the third regional preparatory meeting organized by the Secretariat, having held similar meetings in the Asia-Pacific and African regions in previous weeks.  As already indicated, these meetings are designed to facilitate Parties’ preparations and collaboration in advance of the 2015 COPs. Additionally, they have given both myself and the Secretariat a first-hand insight into the main challenges and strengths of each region.  The Central and Eastern European and Central Asian regions are characterized by countries that have different capacities to deal with chemicals and waste management including those that are EU member States. The structure of the economies in the region has changed significantly since the early 1990s. The share of the service industry sector now exceeds 50% in all economies in the Eastern European and South-east European sub groups. The agricultural sector has stagnated or declined in most countries and consequently, its share of GDP has shrunk throughout the region. Industry has enjoyed growth in almost all countries since 1995. However, industrial growth in many countries has been predominantly due to the exploration for and processing of fossil fuels, metals and minerals, often, it appears, at the expense of less energy- and resource-intensive manufacturing and light industry.

Total waste generation in countries in Eastern and Southern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia is high, mostly because of large-scale resource extraction and processing. Total waste generation per capita in EECCA is 14 tonnes per year compared with 4 tonnes in the EU. There appear to be huge differences between individual countries in total waste generation. Significant amounts of hazardous waste are generated, but there are difficulties in ensuring that this waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner.

Added to these challenges are issues of obsolete pesticide stockpiles, with the management of certain waste fractions including e-waste and medical waste, and with contaminated sites.

With these issues in mind, a joint session of the Minamata Workshop and the regional preparatory meeting will be held this week to delve deeper into issues of mutual concern related to the Conventions, including the integrated approach to financing chemicals and waste which formed the cornerstone of UNEA decision 1/5 on chemicals and waste, the special programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level, and access to financing through GEF.

In addition, to ensure a much closer relationship between the secretariat and parties, I am also organizing on the side a number of bilaterals. High on the agenda during these meetings will be discussions on both the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing the Conventions in the region, with a particular focus on the importance of national synergies in improving the effectiveness of the Conventions.

There will also be ample time to share views and experiences during the lunch and coffee breaks and the evening reception that the Government of Switzerland is kindly hosting.

Distinguished delegates, I would like to bring my remarks to a close with some congratulatory words.  Despite the challenges you face in the region, you have clearly shown your commitment in implementing the Conventions.  Nearly half of the Parties in the Central and Eastern European and Central Asian regions have ratified the Ban Amendment, 8 of whom count towards the global entry into force of the Ban Amendment.  Whilst there seem to be challenges faced in this region with respect to the submission of national reports under the Basel Convention, you have a higher than global average track record of reporting under the Stockholm Convention.  Added to this is your success in submitting National Implementation Plans under the Stockholm Convention, and may I take the opportunity to encourage those that have not done so to signal your interest to GEF for the review and update of these plans.  You also have some of the best regional centres here in CEE that continue to undertake excellent work in support of the Parties in the region.  There is a lot more to be done, but I believe we have the right building blocks to implement the sound management of chemicals and wastes.

Ladies and gentlemen, it only remains for me to say that it is an honour to represent the Secretariat here today, in partnership with my esteemed colleagues from the host government, Slovakia, as well as the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the Regional Centres. I express my profound thanks to the Government of Switzerland and the European Union for making available the funding to allow these meetings to take place globally, and I look forward to supporting you all in your work this week.

Thank you.    



Wednesday, March 18, 2015

What is chemical leasing?

Meeting with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial DevelopmentOrganization (UNIDO), Mr. Li Yong, revealed how deeply connected he is to environmental issues and its inescapable linkages with industry. Many of us associate industrial development with pollution, which is indeed a cause for concern in many parts of the world, especially with regards to the production and use of chemicals or hazardous wastes for instance. So can we have green industrial development? We think so! UNIDO’s Green Industry Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development is a great step in this direction. 

There are many examples at work today in both developing and developed countries. One such example is Chemical Leasing:  first introduced in Austria in the beginning of the 2000s, it is now a common tool being applied in many industrial and even agricultural sectors. Chemical Leasing is about sharing the responsibility for the chemicals that are manufactured among the producers, the users and across the supply chains. By delinking profits from output, manufacturers are incentivised to optimise the use and application of the chemical rather than just selling the chemical to users. This green industry model is in the commercial interest of the manufacturer to reduce pollution, unwanted emissions and wastage, and ultimately shift to safer and less hazardous chemicals. 

For further information on chemical leasing visit: http://www.chemicalleasing.com/

Chemical leasing Explained:


We are further strengthening the implementation of the three conventions and creating the momentum required to move towards ratification of the Minamata Convention at Regional Level

Speech delivered at the Joint BRS-Minimata Workshop in Indonesia


His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Ilham Malik, Deputy Minister for Hazardous Substance, Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Management, Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia,
Her Excellency the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Ms. Ycvonne Baumann,
Mr. Ridwan Tamin, Director of the Regional Centre in Southeast Asia,
Mr. Jacob Duer, Coordinator for the Minamata Convention and representing UNEP,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to join my distinguished colleagues in welcoming you to the first joint Regional Workshop in support for the ratification and effective implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and in preparation for the Regional Preparatory meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 2015 COPs in May.  

Besides being a historical event for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, these regional preparatory meetings provide a unique opportunity for parties to better prepare for the COPs. Therefore, I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the importance these meetings hold in the wider chemicals and waste agenda.

First and foremost, by holding these meetings together we are further strengthening the implementation of the three conventions and creating the momentum required to move towards ratification of the Minamata Convention. This comes at a critical time as parties have asked for a review of the synergies arrangements.

Negotiating and adopting a convention is by no means an easy task and should by all means celebrated, however ratification and implementation is where the real work actually lies.  This is where we bring together professionals from around the world to perform the work of a secretariat, who in response to the needs of the parties, puts in place mechanisms, measures and programmes to support parties in meeting their obligations under the conventions. Indeed one of the most debated decisions of a conference of the parties is finance and budget – we all want smaller and more efficient secretariats and we all want more action on the ground, because this is where we can make a real difference.

Having a joint secretariat implies that our staff are today geared to deliver a wide range of services from conference services, to scientific support, to technical assistance which covers the needs of parties and also seeks to take into consideration the sound management of chemicals and wastes, the life cycle approach, and most importantly its contributions to alleviating poverty and the post-2015 agenda. It is imperative that we never lose sight of the many benefits environmentally sound chemicals brings to our communities, economies and countries, nor the significant opportunities integrated waste management. Therefore, the identification of possible areas for synergies and most importantly partnerships at the global, regional and national levels is critical for progress towards this goal. As we move to our triple COPs in May, I am confident we can further explore those opportunities under these synergies arrangements.

During those two days of the BRS regional preparatory meeting, our aim is to bring you up to speed with the preparations for the next triple COPs.

Responding to the back-to-back nature of the BRS COPs in 2013, Parties requested assistance from the Secretariat to organize regional meetings to assist regional preparatory processes.  I am delighted to say that thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have managed to organize regional preparatory meetings in the Asia/Pacific, Africa, CEE and GRULAC regions.  It is my belief that these meetings will contribute immensely to the success of the conferences of the parties in 2015 by giving regions the possibility to consult each other in advance of the meetings, consider meeting documents, discuss substantive matters, identify regional priorities and challenges, and facilitate the preparation of regional positions.  The Secretariat will be here to assist you in your deliberations and clarify any issues you may have.

Coming back to this week’s regional preparatory meeting: it is no mistake that the first of such meetings has been organized Asia Pacific.  This region is not only the most populous of the UN regions, it is also one of the most diverse in terms of ethnicity, language, culture and socioeconomic conditions.  Your region is the hub of the global manufacturing industry, but with this comes a heightened responsibility to ensure the safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste resulting from these industries, and the health of your people.  There is a huge diversity in the level of know-how and the technologies employed for this purpose across the region: although it is my contention that this represents an opportunity more so than a challenge.  Added to the challenges you face in the region is the special situation of Small Island Developing States who in addition to their vulnerability, the threat posed by climate change, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the unsafe management of chemicals and waste.

May I just ask you all to take a moment of reflection for all those who have lost their lives and possessions during the recent cyclone that hit the islands of Vanuatu.

A joint session with the regional preparatory meeting of the 2015 COPs will provide us with the opportunity to delve deeper into issues of mutual concern amongst the Conventions, including integrated approach to financing chemicals and waste which formed the cornerstone of UNEA decision 1/5 on chemicals and waste, the special programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level, and access to financing through GEF.

To ensure a much closer relationship between the secretariat and parties, I am also organizing on the side a number of bilaterals. I will hold this week’s bilateral with SIDS, Arab States and other Asian countries.  High on the agenda during these meetings will be discussions on both the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing the Conventions in the region, with a particular focus on the importance of national synergies in improving the effectiveness of the Conventions.

There will also be ample time to share views and experiences during the lunch and coffee breaks and two evening receptions that our Indonesian hosts and the Swiss Government are kindly organizing.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to bring my remarks to a close with some congratulatory words.  Despite the challenges you face in Asia Pacific, you have clearly shown your commitment in implementing the Conventions.  In terms of obligations under the Conventions, you have demonstrated a strong track record in national reporting and the submission of NIPs. You have some of the best regional centres here in Asia who continue to undertake excellent work in support of the Parties in the region.  There is all lot more to be done, but I believe we have the right building blocks to ensure the Asia Pacific Region can implement the sound management of chemicals.

Ladies and gentlemen, it only remains for me to say that it is an honour to represent the Secretariat here today, in partnership with my esteemed colleagues from the host government, Indonesia, as well as the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the Regional Centre. I express my profound thanks to the Government of Switzerland for making available the funding to allow these meeting to take place globally, and that I look forward to supporting you all in your work this week.

Thank you.






Monday, March 2, 2015

Sharing information on hazardous chemicals and wastes



The UN Information Service Vienna, UNIS, is part of a global network of information centres whose common goal is to communicate the activities and goals of the UN. My first visit to a UNIS centre revealed that they do not only serve at the local level but also engage the public in live debate on global issues. Ciné-ONU, for example, screens films relevant to a specific UN issue, normally followed by a Q&A session with reputed speakers. BRS will accept the kind offer of UNIS to use the Ciné-ONU to screen movies on chemicals and waste issues, such as Mission: Planet Detox, in the lead-up to the COPs.  The screenings, which will be followed by a debate in the audience, are a powerful way in which the Secretariat can engage with the public, and in particular, young people, on issues of global concern. BRS will also be developing an exciting collaboration with UNIS centres around the world through their New York Headquarters. Subscribe to my youtube channel for more videos. 

Mission: Planet Detox byGEF


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Building capacity for managing hazardous chemicals and wastes




Last week on mission to Bonn, Germany, I met with Dr. Jakob Rhyner, the Vice-Rector of the United Nations University (UNU). It was interesting to note that the UNU’s attention to chemicals and waste issues needs further support. Without capacity building and awareness raising, countries cannot effectively address the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. For example, risk assessments for potential chemical dangers require trained professionals and well-staffed government institutions to come up with solutions. The BRS Secretariat last year trained more than 1000 candidates from all over the world through its webinar programme. Awareness raising and capacity building should also start in our schools. It is never too late to teach our children about recycling, dangerous chemicals and wastes and how much we can do as individual citizens. Why not join one of our webinars or tell us about your efforts to raise awareness of harmful chemicals and waste issues?