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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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.






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