The BRS Secretariat is proud to share with you some of the key highlights in the year of 2024.

The GEF Council has approved a groundbreaking global programme dedicated to the elimination PCBs. This ambitious initiative combines USD 43.8 million in GEF grant funding with USD 163 million in partner co-financing and represents a major milestone towards meeting the Stockholm Convention’s 2025 and 2028 PCB elimination goals and facilitating the energy transition to reduce the effects of climate change.

The invitation letters for the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties, as well as the high-level segment have been sent out to Parties. Information is available on the 2025 COPs webpages.

The Fair is an interactive event that will be held from 30 April to 2 May 2025, at the Geneva International Conference Centre and will focus on the theme selected for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three conventions “Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and waste”.

Applications are now open to host a side event at the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions from 28 April to 9 May 2025. Don’t miss out, apply online now!

The bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions met at a joint meeting in Geneva on 5 November 2024 and agreed to the tentative schedule of work for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties.

The Government of Slovenia has transmitted its revised and updated national implementation plan under article 7 of the Stockholm Convention, addressing the amendments adopted by COPs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions will discuss the organization of work for their upcoming 2025 COPs at a joint meeting in Geneva on 5 and 6 November 2024.

The Stockholm Convention Expert group on DDT focuses on finalizing the assessment report on the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and conclusions and recommendations to be submitted for consideration by the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention in 2025.

The recommendations from the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee for amending Annexes to the Stockholm Convention to be considered by the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties have been circulated to Parties.

The Expert Group on BAT and BEP under the Stockholm Convention met in Geneva from 8 to 10 October and agreed on the finalization of six guidance documents to be considered by the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention in 2025.

The online briefings will provide an overview of the outcomes of the 20th meetings of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC) of the Rotterdam Convention and the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) of the Stockholm Convention, held respectively on 17-20 September 2024 and 23-27 September 2024, in Rome, Italy.

The 9th meeting of the PCB small intersessional working group will be held from 15 to 17 October 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Group is expected finalize several documents relevant to PCB, to be submitted for consideration by the next Conference of the Parties in 2025.

The Expert meeting on Best Available Technologies and Best Environmental Practices under the Stockholm Convention will focus on the review and finalization of the guidance documents under review during the current intersessional period, on the identification of guidance documents that need to be revised or newly developed in the next intersessional period, and on the development of conclusions and recommendations and the workplan for the next biennium for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting.

Parties and observers to the Stockholm Convention are invited to submit comments by 16 September 2024 on five draft guidance and guidelines on best available techniques and best environmental practices relevant to chemicals listed in Annex A and C to the Convention.

Addressing amendments from COP.5, COP.7, COP.8 and COP.9, Canada has transmitted its updated National Implementation Plan, or NIP on 1 August 2024.

The Stockholm Convention COP 12 Bureau meeting took place in Geneva on 16 May 2024.

Parties and observers to the Stockholm Convention are invited to submit by 1 August 2024 (extended deadline), comments on the draft updated guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices for the management of sites contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. A form is available for the collection of comments on the guidance in a structured manner.

The Directors of the 23 Regional centres have gathered at the 13th Annual joint meeting to enhance cooperation and coordination between the regional centres under the Basel and Stockholm conventions. The meeting provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and enhance synergies in the delivery of technical assistance for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

Addressing amendments from COP.4 to COP.9, Tonga has transmitted its updated National Implementation Plan, or NIP on 4 June 2024.