First Conference of the Parties of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP1)

24-29 September 2017, Geneva, Switzerland.

Lessons from countries phasing down dental amalgam use

Side events 

Furthermore EEB/ZMWG also participated to several side events during the COP1- namely at:

-          As part of the wider exhibition throughout the week, featuring the “Minamata Journey”, designed to step participants through a journey of the lifecycle of mercury and the Minamata Convention, a ZMWG exhibition booth was set up with the theme ‘Why should we take action?’ as per UN Environment request and a relevant poster was created.

 A second poster displayed trade data of mercury exports to countries with significant artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) activities. Many EEB/ZMWG publications were made available.

-          The Thematic Session on Land (EEB and JVE-Ivory Coast speakers) and the Thematic Session on Water (NRDC, ICC speaker); the outcomes of these discussions were forwarded to the Ministerial Roundtables held during the High-Level Segment as background to the Ministers’ discussions.

Show Case Event / GEF SGO Side event ‘ Launch of Local to Global Coalitions on Chemicals , Waste and Mercury)

-          EEB/ZMWG- Agenda (Tanzania) and Friends of the Nation (Ghana)  also participated at a side event at the UNEP ASGM Partnership Booth presenting its experiences on how to conduct miners consultations. 

UNEP Partnership Advisory Group - 8th PAG

The EEB/ZMWG also attended the UNEP Global Partnership Advisory Group meeting which was held before the COP1. As part of the UNEP Mercury products partnership MPP presented the ZMWG developed checklist including steps that governments can take to phase out mercury added products.

 

Press coverage

Mercury trade on the up despite new UN treaty

New global mercury treaty enters into force - worldide mercury production skyrockets

As new global mercury treaty enters into force, worldwide mercury production skyrockets, note Global NGO Coalition on World Health Environment Day 

World Environmental Health Day: Global mercury production skyrocketing says report

World Environmental Health Day: Groups express concern over sire on global mercury production

Minamata Convention’s entry into force to curtail global mercury crisis, say groups 

New treaty’s entry into force set to curtail global mercury crisis, say NGOs

https://www.publico.pt/2017/08/16/sociedade/noticia/mercurio-protagoniza-um-tratado-internacional-que-portugal-ainda-nao-assinou-1782539

http://www.dn.pt/lusa/interior/ambientalistas-da-zero-pedem-que-portugal-ratifique-rapidamente-convencao-sobre-mercurio-8708911.html

http://www.esquerda.net/artigo/portugal-nao-ratificou-convencao-sobre-os-riscos-do-uso-de-mercurio/50220

Campaigners hail entry into force of global mercury treaty EEB 

 http://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/248443/Minamata-Convention-on-Mercury-entersinto-force

UN treaty curbing mercury emission comes into effect

 

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