UNEP Chemicals Newsletter, October 2008

There is global agreement that mercury is a serious global hazard and the global concerns are increasing. For a decade UNEP’s Governing Council has requested UNEP to increase its activities regarding the substance. Still, although there are decisions addressing significant aspects of the issue, there is no overarching objective or policy to deal with it. In 2007 Governing Council agreed that the efforts to reduce risks from mercury were not sufficient to address the global challenges posed by this substance. In response, earlier this year UNEP’s Global Mercury Partnership was launched. This is a voluntary structure for all stakeholders, covering at the moment 6 different focal areas. In October this year the Open-Ended Working Group, established by UNEP Governing Council to review and assess options for enhanced voluntary measures and new or existing international legal instruments is meeting to finalise its report to the Governing Council. My hope for the outcome of the OEWG is a clear recommendation to the Governing Council on how to deal more effectively and coherently with mercury in the long term.