Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm 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 arrangements for the conduct of, and thereby aims to assist participants in preparing for, the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a 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 18 January 2023, is provisional and could be subject to changes before or during the two weeks of the meetings.1 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 sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the eleventh 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 eleventh 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 1 January 2023. 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.16/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.11/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the eleventh 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 eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is set out in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, 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 eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. 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 Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/11), the annex to the present note sets out the curricula vitae received in advance of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention of candidates nominated for appointment as members of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee with terms of office beginning on 5 May 2024 and ending on 4 May 2028. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The curricula vitae of the members of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee with terms of office beginning on 5 May 2024 and ending on 4 May 2028 appointed by decision SC-11/8 are 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 specific exemptions and acceptable purposes under the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/4), the annex to the present note sets out the report prepared by the Secretariat on the review of the effectiveness of the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3 of the 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 the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and the promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/5), the DDT expert group assessed the information on production and use of DDT and prepared a report for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its eleventh meeting. Annex I to the present note contains the report of the DDT expert group on the assessment of the production and use of DDT for disease vector control and on the intersessional process of consultations on a possible phase-out plan for Parties currently in the DDT register. Annex II to the present note sets out the list of current members of the DDT expert group. The terms of the current members will expire on 31 August 2023. At its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties will need to select 10 Parties, two from each of the five designated regions, to nominate new members of the DDT expert group. 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 global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/20), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities to support the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and the promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/5), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 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 polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report on progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls re-established in paragraph 6 of decision SC-9/3. 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 polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/6), the annex to the present note sets out a draft guidance on a standardized approach to developing Inventories of PCB, entitled “Guidance for Development of PCB Inventories and Analysis of PCB” prepared by the small intersessional working group on PCB. 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 polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/6), the annex to the present note sets out a draft strategy for Parties to meet the 2025 and 2028 goals of the Stockholm Convention prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls re-established in paragraph 6 of decision SC-9/3. 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 polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities of the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 evaluation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride pursuant to paragraphs 5 and 6 of part III of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/7), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the evaluation of information on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride 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 the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/8), the report of the expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 11 to 13 October 2022 is set out in the annex to the present note. 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 the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/8), in its decision SC-10/9, the Conference of the Parties invited Parties and others to nominate experts to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster. Furthermore, as part of the regular maintenance of the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster, the Secretariat confirmed with the nominating Parties and others the availability of the experts who were already in the expert roster.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annexes to the present note contain 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, 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 received in the biennium 20222023 as at 31 March 2023. Annex I contains an overview of such pledges and contributions received from Parties. Annex II contains more detailed information on pledges and contributions received by Party 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 guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/8), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran releases reported according to Article 5 and Annex C prepared by the experts on the Toolkit and on best available techniques and best environmental practices. 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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), the annex to the present note sets out information on the status of transmission of national implementation plans as at 17 February 2023, including a table indicating the deadlines for each Party to the Convention to transmit their national implementation plans, revised and updated plans, pursuant to Article 7 of the Convention, and the dates on which the plans were received 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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on preparing inventories of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF); perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds; and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds listed under the Stockholm 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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF); perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds; and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds listed under the Stockholm 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 the implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), annex I to the present note sets out a draft global approach to the review and updating of national implementation plans pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention. Annex II to the present note sets out a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on activities undertaken in support of the development, review and updating of implementation plans. 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 Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee: developments for action by the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/11), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties relating to the listing of chemicals in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention recommended by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee. The comments were submitted by the European Union, Guatemala, Hungary, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. 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.16/17UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/15UNEP/POPS/COP.11/15), 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 2022–2023. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.16/18) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/16), the annexes to the present note contain the draft evaluation report on the performance and sustainability of the 14 Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (BCRCs) and the 16 Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres (SCRCs) prepared by the Secretariat. Annex I sets out a summary of the assessment of the performance and sustainability of the regional centres under the Basel and Stockholm conventions. Annex II sets out a summary of the assessment of procurement capacity of the Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres. Annex III contains the status of the submission of workplans or business plans and activity reports by the centres. Annex IV contains the individual draft evaluation reports on the performance and sustainability of the regional centres based on the activity reports for the period 20192022. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.16/18) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/16), the annexes to the present note set out reports by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), the annex to the present note sets out a Guide for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Guide was developed by the Secretariat with generous financial support provided by the European Union. 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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/10), the annex to the present note sets out an introductory manual on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The manual was developed by the Secretariat with generous financial support provided by the European Union. 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 financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/17), the present note refers to the request to the Secretariat set out in paragraph 22 of decision SC-10/16 to prepare a report on further options for addressing the needs, including funding needs, and challenges met to reach the targets related to the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls. In response, the Secretariat prepared the report contained 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 the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/17), the present note refers to the request to the Secretariat set out in paragraph 3 (a) SC-10/16 regarding the possible retirement, streamlining and consolidation of the complete set of guidance. Recommendations for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting to this extent are contained 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 the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/17), the present note refers to the information request set out in paragraphs 12 to 14 of decision SC-10/16 on ways in which Parties and observers could support the Stockholm Convention. A summary of the submissions is contained in annex I to the present note. A compilation of all submissions received as of 31 January 2023 is set out in annex II to the present note. This compilation should be read in conjunction with previous submissions from Parties on this matter. The online questionnaire used to submit responses is reproduced in annex III to the present note. 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 financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/17), the annex to the present note sets out the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting. 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 the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/17), the annex to the present note sets out the report prepared by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Council of the Global Environment Facility with regard to cooperation between the secretariats and reciprocal representation, including follow-up actions. 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, and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. 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 effectiveness evaluation pursuant to Article 16 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/19), the report on the second effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants prepared by the effectiveness evaluation committee is set out in the annex to the present note. The executive summary of the report is also reproduced in the six official languages of the United Nations in document UNEP/POPS/COP.11/19/Add.1. 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 effectiveness evaluation pursuant to Article 16 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/19), the reports of the meetings of the effectiveness evaluation committee, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12 to 14 April 2022 and from 1 to 4 November 2022 are set out respectively in the annexes I and II to the present note. 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 global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/20), the annex to the present note sets out the third global monitoring report prepared by the global coordination group for the global monitoring plan. The executive summary of the report, including the conclusions and recommendations of the global coordination group, is reproduced in the six official languages of the United Nations in document UNEP/POPS/COP.11/20/Add.1. 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 global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/20), the annex to the present note sets out the report of the meeting of the global coordination group for the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention, held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 30 and 31 October 2022. 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.16/21–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/16–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/22), annex I to the present note sets out a report on the main cooperative activities undertaken in 2022 between the secretariats of the Minamata Convention and of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in areas of mutual interest jointly prepared by the two secretariats. Annex II contains an outline on the main future cooperative activities planned for 2023 and the biennium 2024–2025, developed by the two secretariats in consultation with the task force between the two secretariats and Chemicals and Health Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme. 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.16/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23), 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 to 31 December 2022. Section II of the annex contains information on cooperation with other entities for activities with an international scope from 1 January to 31 December 2022. 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.16/22/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out information on the preparation of a report on the interlinkages between the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 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.16/22UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23), 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 international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.16/22UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23), the annex to the present note sets out information submitted by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management to the meetings of 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

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.16/22/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out 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.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.16/23–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/18–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/24), the annex to the present note sets out the workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 2024–2025. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets the updated Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, as amended during the 2023 meetings of the conferences of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. 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.16/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/26), the annex to the present note sets out a report by the Secretariat compiling best practices from Parties for preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes covered by the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and lessons learned from them.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on “From science to action” (UNEP/CHW.16/26–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/27), the annex to the present note sets out the report of a workshop entitled “From science to action for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and industrial chemicals guidance for the Stockholm Convention” organized by the Secretariat, in cooperation with the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Spain, for the Mediterranean sub-region from 17 to 20 October 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. The report includes conclusions, recommendations and proposals for activities to improve the access to scientific and technical information relevant to the implementation of the conventions. The workshop was organized thanks to generous financial support provided by the Governments of Norway and Sweden.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-15/30, RC-10/19 and SC-10/26, on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2022–2023, 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 2024–2025: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.16/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/22–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/28), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions developed by the Secretariat. They should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned note and the information document on programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2024–2025: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.16/INF/45–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/INF/29–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/INF/50).

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-16/28, RC-11/15, SC-11/27 on the programmes of work and budgets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for the biennium 2024–2025, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions approved their respective programme budgets, taking as a reference the budget activity fact sheets contained in document UNEP/CHW.16/INF/46UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/INF/30UNEP/POPS/COP.11/INF/51.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By decision SC-1/3, subsequently amended by decision SC-5/2, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 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 Secretary 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.16/28), the note by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (UNEP/ FAO/RC/COP.11/23) and the note by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/29), 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. 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. 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 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 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 Stockholm Convention, as at 20 April 2023.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations (UNEP/CHW.16/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23), the annex to the present note sets out information on the new Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) 2023–2030 with a view to enhancing cooperation with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The Global Strategy for SCP was issued as a UN General Assembly Document under A/77/607 and endorsed by the General Assembly through its resolution A/Res/77/162. The note has been submitted by the secretariat of the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.16/28), the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/23) and the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/POPS/COP.11/29), annex I to the present note sets out the letters from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to the Presidents of the three conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions proposing amendments to the aforementioned three memorandums of understanding, and annexes II to IV set out the proposed revisions to each of the three memorandums of understanding shown in tracked changes. The present note, including its annexes, have not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2024−2025: combined proposal (UNEP/CHW.16/27–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/22–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/28), the annex to the present note sets out responses from Parties on their views regarding the use of available surpluses to fund core activities. Responses were provided by eleven Parties: Argentina, Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Kuwait, Mali, Mauritius, Peru, State of Palestine, Syria Arab Republic and Yemen. 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.16/22/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat entitled “Global governance of plastics and associated chemicals”. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. 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.16/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/26), the annex to the present note sets out a report by the Secretariat reviewing existing cooperative arrangements with international organizations and entities with a mandate to prevent and combat illegal trade in hazardous chemicals under the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, including recommendations on strengthening arrangements with international organizations or entities with a mandate to prevent and combat illegal trade in hazardous chemicals under the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, taking into account relevant experience with the Basel Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a summary and key findings of the publication jointly developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat entitled “Chemicals in plastics – a technical report”, referenced in footnote 1 of document UNEP/CHW.16/22/Rev.1–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.11/17/Rev.1–UNEP/POPS/COP.11/23/Rev.1. A full report is available on the UNEP website. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.