Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention

I. Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, 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, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the activities that the Secretariat is undertaking with regard to notifications of final regulatory action to ban or severely restrict pesticides and industrial chemicals;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report prepared by the Secretariat on the information received from parties on ways of exchanging information on exports and export notifications;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the reports of the Chemical Review Committee on the work of its ninth and tenth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Chemical Review Committee,
Having considered the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee to make methamidophos subject to the prior informed consent procedure and accordingly to list it in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade,

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling the objective of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provided in Article 1 of the Convention,

1. Decides to establish an intersessional working group composed of interested parties and observers to undertake the work described in paragraph 4 of the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Mindful that the procedures and mechanisms called for under Article 17 will help address compliance,

1. Decides to consider further at its eighth meeting, for adoption, the procedures and mechanisms on compliance required under Article 17 of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on technical assistance for the implementation of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information presented in the note by the Secretariat;
2. Joins the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in welcoming an integrated approach to addressing the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes, underscoring that the three components of an integrated approach, mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance, are mutually reinforcing and are all important for the financing of the sound management of chemicals and waste at all levels and emphasizing the importance of implementing the three components, as agreed in decision 27/12 of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, requests the Secretariat to assist parties in that respect, subject to the availability of resources, and recognizes the importance of the joint programme of work to that end;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination;
2. Joins with the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in emphasizing that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential and cross-cutting element of sustainable development and is of great relevance to the sustainable development agenda;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the legal autonomy of, respectively, 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 Conference of the Parties

1. Notes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism, which should serve as a platform for the exchange and dissemination of information;
2. Takes note of the proposed joint clearing-house mechanism strategy and invites parties and others to provide comments on the strategy, in particular its scope, on national and regional priorities and needs in respect of the clearing-house mechanism and on the goals described in section IV of the strategy, to the Secretariat by 31 October 2015;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recognizes the importance of the science-policy interface for the effectiveness of the conventions;
2. Stresses the need for scientific underpinning for decision-making and policy-making in the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes at the national and regional levels;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to convene its eighth meeting in Geneva from 24 April to 5 May 2017, back to back with the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; that will include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the legal autonomy of the Conference of the Parties and noting that the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme and the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the 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 have equal decision-making authority within their respective mandates,

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Rotterdam Convention trust funds for 2014 and estimated expenditures for 2015 from the Trust Fund for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention Trust Fund),

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The seventh ordinary 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 will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 4 to 15 May 2015, back-to-back with the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 4 May 2015 by the three presidents of the conferences of the parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information pertaining to the election of the officers of the eighth 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 by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision RC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted decision RC-6/1, on implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. The decision, among other things, encouraged parties to exchange information in accordance with the provisions of the Convention by submitting notifications of final regulatory action for banned or severely restricted chemicals.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade sets out the obligations and conditions relating to the export of chemicals listed in Annex III to the Convention in exceptional circumstances when an importing party has failed to transmit an import response or has transmitted an interim response that does not contain an interim decision. Paragraph 2 (c) of Article 11 provides that such exports can take place if explicit consent to the import has been sought and received by the exporter through a designated national authority of the importing party. Furthermore, the importing party is required to respond to such a request within 60 days and to promptly notify the Secretariat of its decision.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Chemical Review Committee held its ninth and tenth meetings in Rome from 22 to 25 October 2013 and from 22 to 24 October 2014, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.9/11 and UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/10, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for methamidophos as a pesticide from Brazil and the European Union, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-9/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that methamidophos be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and proceeded to draft a decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on methamidophos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for methamidophos as a pesticide from Brazil and the European Union, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-9/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that methamidophos be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and proceeded to draft a decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ultra low volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L). The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for trichlorfon from Brazil and the European Community, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-8/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that trichlorfon be listed in Annex III to the Convention and proceeded to develop a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its ninth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on trichlorfon. The document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting recommended the listing of liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L, as severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Convention, approved the text of a draft guidance document (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/10/Add.1, annex) and decided to forward the recommendation and the draft decision document to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L. The document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its second meeting recommended the listing of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, approved the text of a draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/11/Add.1, annex) and decided to forward the recommendation and the draft decision guidance document to the Conference of the Parties for consideration.

Draft decision guidance document

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of parties found to be in non compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note sets out information on technical assistance and capacity building for 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 information is being set out jointly for the first time so as to allow for the overall presentation of the framework guiding the activities to strengthen technical assistance and capacity building and to highlight opportunities for joint implementation in those areas. The note also outlines convention-specific information pertaining to technical assistance and capacity-building activities, as these are important for upholding the individual objectives of the conventions. The note is structured as follows: section I explains the rationale for presenting the information jointly; section II reiterates the mandates for technical assistance and capacity-building under each of the conventions, as well as recent decisions adopted by the conferences of the parties; section III provides an overview of the implementation of the respective mandates, including a summary of parties’ responses to the questionnaires on technical assistance and capacity-building needs, activities undertaken during the biennium 20142015 and an outline of the programme of technical assistance and capacity-building for the biennium 20162017; and section IV outlines the proposed action that the conferences of the parties may wish to consider on the matter.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary and ordinary meetings held in May 2013, 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 discussed agenda items pertaining to financial resources for chemicals and wastes under the three conventions and adopted several interrelated decisions on the matter as detailed in the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The general legal basis for the conferences of the parties to 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 to cooperate with international organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies is set out in each convention, specifically in the provisions establishing the functions of the conferences of the parties. In the case of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, it shall consider and undertake any action that may be required for the achievement of the purposes of the Convention, which could include international cooperation. Each convention also provides for the Secretariat of each of the conventions to cooperate with international bodies.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 on financing and budgets for the biennium 2014–2015, 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, respectively, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary meetings held in May 2013, 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 adopted the omnibus decision on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (hereinafter “2013 omnibus decision”).

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision RC-6/14, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade approved the application form for admission as an observer set out in the annex to that decision and, among other things, requested the Secretariat to report to the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting on experiences with using the form referred to in paragraph 1 of that decision and the practices followed regarding the admission of observers to meetings of the bodies of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its meeting held on 13 and 14 September 2012, the Bureau 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 was informed of the steps taken by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on the development of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to better formalize their relationship (see UNEP/POPS/COP.6/32). The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention expressed support for this action and noted that in the case of the Rotterdam Convention, such a memorandum of understanding would need to be entered into with both UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Bureau requested the Secretariat to consult with the legal department of FAO regarding the necessity and feasibility of such a memorandum of understanding and its possible terms and conditions. The Bureau recommended that the Conference of the Parties, at its sixth meeting, could consider the outcomes of the process under the Stockholm Convention and any results of consultations between the Secretariat and FAO.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section III.B of the decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, 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 invited parties to consider establishing common websites and documentation centres at the national and, where appropriate, regional levels, containing available information on human health and environmental impacts relevant to the three conventions. The conferences of the parties also requested the secretariats of the three conventions to develop systems of information exchange on health and environmental impacts, including a clearing-house mechanism, with the aim of these systems serving all three conventions.

I. Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, 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, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note is intended to assist participants in preparing for the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the seventh 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 seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which will be held back-to-back from 4 to 15 May 2015, by providing information on initial planning and expectations for the meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work of the meetings of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (annex I) and information on possible contact groups (annex II). The tentative schedule, which was agreed to by the bureaux of the conferences of the parties to the three conventions at their joint meeting on 11-12 November 2014, 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

The annex to the present note sets out a provisional list of meeting documents for the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention. 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.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain information on contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received in the biennium 20142015 as well as pledges received that have not yet been recorded in the respective trust funds as at 22 April 2015. Annex I provides an overview of total non-earmarked and earmarked contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received from each donor. Annex II provides information on such contributions and pledges by donor country and by programme of work activity for each of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and for joint activities. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note provides information relating to the following aspects of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, covering the period from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2014:

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision document for methamidophos, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/7/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of methamidophos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-9/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its ninth meeting and decision CRC-10/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on methamidophos and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision document for fenthion (ultra low volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L), as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/8/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of fenthion (ultra low volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L) in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-9/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance, including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its ninth meeting, and decision CRC-10/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on the substance and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its ninth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision document for trichlorfon, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/10/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of trichlorfon in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-8/3 on the recommendations by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance, the rationale prepared by the Committee at its eighth meeting and decision CRC-9/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on trichlorfon and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/12 and UNEP/POPS/COP.7/30, the present note sets out in its annex a brief on compliance under the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions prepared by the Secretariat at the request of the Bureau of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Bureau of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on a proposal on ways of exchanging information on exports and export notifications (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/5), the Secretariat sent out a questionnaire on paragraph 2 (c) of Article 11 and on Article 12 to parties to facilitate the provision of information for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annexes to the present note set out tables listing capacity building and training activities organized by the Secretariat between May 2013 and December 2014. Global, regional and national-level face-to-face training activities are described in annex I, online activities are set out in annex II and relevant projects are listed in annex III. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annexes to the present note contain information on capacity-building and training activities planned by the Secretariat to take place between 1 January and 31 December 2015, subject to the availability of financial resources. Annex I lists capacity-building and training workshops, annex II lists online activities and annex III includes projects. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), 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 the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention 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

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance programme for the implementation of the three conventions. Section I contains the Secretariat’s programme for the delivery of technical assistance for the implementation of the three conventions. Section II sets out in a tabular form a programmatic approach for the delivery of technical assistance that corresponds to the mandates of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the decisions adopted by the conferences of the parties to the three conventions, and the needs assessments carried out in 2014. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/14-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/26, the annex to the present note sets out a checklist developed by the Secretariat with a view to provide Secretariat staff with guidance on how conventions’ activities may take as a reference the various aspects of the integrated approach. The checklist has been used for developing activities for the proposed programmes of work and budgets of the biennium 20162017 and when reporting on the implementation of activities for the biennium 20142015. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/14-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/26 on facilitating financial resources for chemicals and wastes, the annex to the present note sets out the text of section II of resolution 1/5 as well as the terms of reference of the special programme as adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its first session, for ease of reference. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.12/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/31), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing detailed information on the activities undertaken by the Secretariat on cooperation and coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreements, and non-governmental organizations and networks. The activities described in the report are either specific to one convention or are relevant to two or three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/31, the annex to the present note sets out the text of section I of resolution 1/5 adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its first session, and, as requested by resolution 1/5, the outcome document of the country-led consultative process on enhancing cooperation and coordination within the chemicals and wastes cluster. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In 2013, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted decisions BC-11-26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 respectively, on financing and budgets for the biennium 2014–2015, in which, among other things, they:

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on admission of observers (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/18), the annex to the present note sets out a list of bodies and agencies that had not previously been admitted to meetings 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 that are requesting admission to participate in such meetings as observers in accordance with rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, as at 27 January 2015. A list of bodies and agencies that have been previously admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties is available on the Rotterdam Convention website . The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat entitled “Programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2016–-2017: combined proposal including joint activities” (UNEP/CHW.12/22-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/32), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets developed by the Secretariat. The fact sheets provide additional information on the proposed joint and convention-specific activities of the draft programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2016−2017, along with information on relevant meeting documents, mandates and the particulars of each activity, including objectives, indicators of achievement, expected outputs with cost estimates, methods of implementation, partners, resources approved for 2014–2015, contributions received up to 30 November 2014 and resources required for 2016–2017. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision RC-5/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention 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 secretaries 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

1. As referred to in paragraph 4 of document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/INF/25 on information on financial matters, the annexes to the present note set forth updated information on expenditures and on contributions pledged or received. The annexes are organized as follows:

Note by the Secretariat

1.Expressing concern at the continuing trend towards late payment of contributions to the operational budgets, the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions requested, as per decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 on financing and budgets for the biennium 20142015, the Secretariat to present options for incentives and measures, including information on those applied under other multilateral environmental agreements to deal with such challenges.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In paragraph 9 of the omnibus decision on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the Priori Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to confirm to the conferences of the parties detailed information on the projected cost savings identified since the implementation of the new matrix-based management approach and organization of the secretariats.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In accordance with decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 adopted by the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in 2013, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) conducted an audit of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions from 28 October to 12 November 2013.

Note by the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

1.In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the parties present at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, 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 10 February 2015. The table is set out as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33), the annex to the present note contains a report prepared by the Secretariat, as at 31 December 2014, on the implementation of the programme budgets approved by the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 respectively. It describes expenditures incurred under the general trust funds (BC, RC and SC trust funds) and voluntary trust funds (BD, RV and SV trust funds) and provides information on related voluntary contributions made by donors for the biennium 2014–2015. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in documents UNEP/CHW.12/24, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/18 and UNEP/POPS/COP.7/34, the annex to the present note contains a report by the Secretariat to the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its twelfth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention at its seventh meeting, and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention at its seventh meeting on experiences with using the application forms referred to in paragraph 1 of decisions BC-11/22, RC-6/14 and SC-6/28 and the practices followed regarding the admission of observers to meetings of the bodies of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The report should be read in conjunction with the abovementioned meeting documents on admission of observers. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23/Rev.1-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17/Rev.1-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33/Rev.1), the present note sets out information regarding the mainstreaming of gender in the Secretariat.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the notes by the Secretariat (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/611), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from parties relating to the listing of chemicals and a severely hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention recommended by the Chemical Review Committee. The comments were submitted by Albania, China, European Union, Georgia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Panama and Serbia. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In paragraphs 11 of the 2013 omnibus decisions BC.Ex-2/1, RC.Ex-2/1 and SC.Ex-2/1 on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, 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 endorsed the matrix-based management approach and organization of the secretariats of the Basel Convention and the Stockholm Convention and the United Nations Environment Programme part of the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention, as approved by the Executive Director and reproduced in annex II to that decision.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.12/26-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/20-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/35), the annex to the present note sets out a draft strategy for further development and operation of the joint clearing-house mechanism for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions which aims at strengthening regional delivery mechanisms by improving information and expertise sharing relevant to the implementation of the three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/19, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme have signed a memorandum of understanding on arrangements to jointly perform the secretariat functions for the Rotterdam Convention, as set forth in paragraph 3 of Article 19 of the Convention. In its decision RC-2/5, the Conference of the Parties approved the arrangements made through this memorandum of understanding, which entered into force on 28 November 2005.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23/Rev.1-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17/Rev.1-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out information on the Secretariat approach for mainstreaming science in the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, with a view to support parties in gaining increased understanding of the in-depth scientific considerations relating to decision-making under the three conventions, and considering a lifecycle approach for the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Background information on international policy development in the area of the chemicals and waste management and sustainable development

1. The global community attaches great importance to the sound management of chemicals and wastes for the protection of human health and the environment. In Johannesburg in 2002 governments agreed to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment. The 2020 target was further recognised in the Rio+20 outcome “The Future We Want”.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a progress report on the UNEP/UNEA Resolution 1/12 on the relationship between the United Nations Environment Programme and multilateral environmental agreements, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note sets out the statements of the African States, Asian-Pacific States, Central and Eastern European States and Latin American and Caribbean States represented at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the seventh 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 seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, as well as the statement of the European Union and its member States, for the opening session of the meetings.