Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam 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 revised 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 27 April 2025, is provisional and could be subject to changes 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

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 Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/5), 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 Rotterdam Convention, of candidates nominated for appointment as members of the Chemicals Review Committee with terms of office beginning on 1 May 2026 and ending on 30 April 2030.

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 2022 to 31 October 2024:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in section C on exchanging information on exports and export notifications of the note by the Secretariat on the status of implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/4), the Secretariat conducted a survey, from 15 December 2022 to 31 August 2023, on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam Convention to collect information from Parties for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The Secretariat conducted a subsequent survey, from 18 October 2023 to 31 July 2024, to collect information from Parties for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The results of the 2021 and 2022 questionnaires are set out in the addenda I and II, respectively, to the present note. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/7, the annex to the present note sets out the responses received from Parties to the questionnaire for the calendar year 2021 on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/INF/7, the annex to the present notes sets out the responses received from Parties to the questionnaire for the calendar year 2022 on the implementation of Articles 11 to 14 of the Rotterdam Convention. 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 Chemical Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/5), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties relating to the listing of chemicals and severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention recommended by the Chemical Review Committee. The comments were submitted by Albania, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, Eritrea, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Yemen. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of chlorpyrifos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-19/3 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting and decision CRC-20/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on chlorpyrifos and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its twentieth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for chlorpyrifos, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/8/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 mercury in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC 19/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting and decision CRC-20/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on mercury and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its twentieth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for mercury, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/13/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 methyl bromide in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-18/3 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its nineteenth meeting, the rationale prepared by the Committee at its first meeting and decision CRC-19/1 adopting the draft decision guidance document on methyl bromide and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its nineteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for methyl bromide, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/14/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 paraquat in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention , the annexes to the present note set out respectively decision CRC-18/4 on the recommendation by the Chemical Review Committee pertaining to the substance including the rationale prepared by the Committee at its eighteenth meeting, and decision CRC-19/2 adopting the draft decision guidance document on paraquat and forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its nineteenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for paraquat, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/15/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

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/16), the annex to the present note sets out a report on implementation of the information dissemination strategy for increasing the understanding and usefulness of tools and guidance to effectively address obligations and procedures relevant to the Rotterdam Convention for the period from January 2023 to December 2024. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/16), the annexes to the present note set out a report for consideration and discussion on a way forward by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting and a compilation of information provided by Parties and observers in response to decision RC-11/4 on enhancing the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention by addressing impacts regarding the listing of chemicals in Annex III and its implementation. 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 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. 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

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

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

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.17/12–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annex to the present note sets out a report submitted by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on programmatic cooperation. 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 other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21-UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), annex I to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat, including possible recommendations, on how the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions could contribute to the Global Framework on Chemicals - For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste. Annex II to the present note sets out a proposal for inclusion in the conventions’ programmes of work for the biennium 2026–2027 of activities to support the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals - For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, in line with the objectives of the conventions. 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 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 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 on the contributions of the chemicals and waste international agreements and frameworks to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 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 update on the Global Framework on Chemicals– For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, submitted by the secretariat of the Global Framework on Chemicals. 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 update on the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) secretariat of the intergovernmental negotiating committee. 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 international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.17/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/24), the annexes to the present note provide a progress report on the assignment of customs codes to substances listed under the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, including activities undertaken by the Secretariat as part of its cooperation with the World Customs Organization. Annex I sets out information on the assignment of customs codes. Annex II sets out the proposal that the Secretariat submitted to the World Customs Organization in October 2023 for a possible amendment to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System with respect to terbufos. 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 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

At their 2025 meetings, the conferences of the Parties to Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions considered the workplan for the implementation of the clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 2026–2027 contained in document UNEP/CHW.17/23–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.12/22–UNEP/POPS/COP.12/25. Following their consideration of the workplan, the conferences of the Parties, by decisions BC-17/24, RC-12/11 and SC-12/25 on the clearing-house mechanism, took note of the revised version of the workplan, as 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 “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 “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 its decision RC-5/1, 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 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 is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on 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 annexes to the present note set out information on pledges and contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, 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 received between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2025. Annex I contains an overview of such pledges and contributions received from Parties and signatories. Annex II contains more detailed information on pledges and contributions received by Party, respectively signatory, and by programme of work (PoW) activity. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated, and include programme support costs.

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

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 sets out the report of the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to the Conference of the Parties on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding for the reporting period 1 January 2023 to 30 November 2024. 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. 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 9 April 2025.

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

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 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.