National and sub-regional consultations to identify the elements of national action plans or strategies for the implementation of the Convention are the first step in defining country needs. An important component of this programme are the national workshops aimed at helping countries to review the status of the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, by bringing together a range of stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, including Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment, Industry and Commerce, Customs authorities, NGOs and Industry representatives plus other relevant stakeholders.
The consultations provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to review the status of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention at the national level. In addition participants can also consider how implementation of the Rotterdam Convention might be integrated with ongoing chemicals and waste management activities related to the implementation of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions and other legally binding chemical treaties. New Parties or Parties having challenges in national coordination of stakeholders will be offered the opportunity to participate in such consultations in 2018–2021.
In cooperation with the UN Environment and FAO regional offices, national follow-up seminars may be convened for those Parties that participated in the sub-regional planning meetings. The national seminars provide an opportunity to seek broader support and further review of the national plans developed during the sub-regional meetings.
It is proposed that training and awareness-raising meetings be organized for new Parties that have recently ratified the Convention and for Parties that are experiencing difficulties in meeting their obligations under the Convention. The meetings will provide practical training on the Convention’s key operational elements and will highlight opportunities for an integrated approach to the implementation of the Basel and Stockholm conventions.