Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention

Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, 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, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Agrees to amend paragraph 6 of the review process for entries in the Register of Specific Exemptions to read as follows:

“6. This review process will be open-ended. It will continue to be reviewed, as necessary, by the Conference of the Parties as part of its consideration of specific exemptions and amended as the Conference of the Parties deems appropriate.”;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;

2. Concludes that countries that are relying on indoor residual spraying for disease vector control may need DDT for such uses in specific settings where locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives are still lacking for a sustainable transition away from DDT;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of:

(a) The information relevant to polychlorinated biphenyls from the reports provided by parties pursuant to Article 15 in accordance with paragraph (g) of part II of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the format for the submission of information for the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Convention set out in the annex to the present decision and decides to use it for the evaluation and review at its eighth meeting and at every second ordinary meeting thereafter in accordance with the process set out in decision SC-6/3;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling its decision SC-7/1, in which it notes, pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that as there are no longer any parties registered for the specific exemptions for the production and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride for carpets, leather and apparel, textiles and upholstery, paper and packaging, coatings and coating additives and rubber and plastics, no new registrations may be made with regard to them,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report set out in the annex to the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3, and of the conclusions contained therein;

2. Concludes that there is a continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report of the expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices and the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention and the conclusions and recommendations of the Toolkit experts;

2. Recognizes that the listing of new substances in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention will trigger the need to further update existing guidance and/or develop new guidance to support parties in implementing new obligations, requiring specific expertise;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the nominations to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster, the report of the second expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices and the conclusions and recommendations of the experts on best available techniques and best environmental practices;

2. Adopts the workplan set out in the annex to the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-12/3 on technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants, by which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its twelfth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the additional implementation plans transmitted by parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants including the revised and updated plans;

2. Takes note of the deadlines for the transmission of revised and updated implementation plans;

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list hexachlorobutadiene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

Recalling its decision SC-7/12, by which it lists hexachlorobutadiene in Annex A to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for hexachlorobutadiene as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list hexachlorobutadiene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions for the production and use of pentachlorophenol for utility poles and cross-arms,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for chlorinated naphthalenes as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list dichlorinated naphthalenes, trichlorinated naphthalenes, tetrachlorinated naphthalenes, pentachlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorinated naphthalenes, heptachlorinated naphthalenes and octachlorinated naphthalene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its ninth and tenth meetings and documents forwarded by the Committee to the Conference of the Parties;

2. Appoints the 17 designated experts to serve as members of the Committee;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on technical assistance for the implementation of the Convention;

2. Welcomes the development of a database for the collection of information pertaining to the needs of parties for the implementation of the Convention, as well as information on available assistance;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Emphasizes the role of the regional and subregional centres in enhancing the provision of technical assistance for capacity-building to support the national efforts of developing countries and countries with economies in transition for the implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions in accordance with their terms of reference;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat reviewing the availability of financial resources additional to those provided through the Global Environment Facility and the ways and means of mobilizing and channelling those resources in support of the objectives of the Convention, as requested by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in resolution 2;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the note by the Secretariat on the report on the effectiveness of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties and the Council of the Global Environment Facility;

2. Welcomes the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, takes note of the leveraging ratio of 1:3 between the Facility project grant and other resources, and also takes note of the concerns raised by some parties in this regard;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the terms of reference for the fourth review of the financial mechanism set out in the annex to the present decision;

2. Requests the Secretariat to compile information relevant to the fourth review of the financial mechanism and submit it to the Conference of the Parties for consideration at its eighth meeting.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Stresses that the sound management of chemicals and wastes has a global environmental benefit and emphasizes that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential element of sustainable development;

2. Reaffirms the guidance to the financial mechanism that it adopted in previous decisions, as reflected in the note by the Secretariat;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information presented in the note by the Secretariat;

2. Joins the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in welcoming an integrated approach to addressing the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes, underscoring that the three components of an integrated approach, mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance, are mutually reinforcing and are all important for the financing of the sound management of chemicals and waste at all levels and emphasizing the importance of implementing the three components, as agreed in decision 27/12 of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, requests the Secretariat to assist parties in that respect, subject to the availability of resources, and recognizes the importance of the joint programme of work to that end;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the report prepared by the Secretariat pursuant to paragraph 2 (d) of Article 20 based on the reports submitted by parties under Article 15 and of the summary of the report set out in the note by the Secretariat on reporting pursuant to Article 15;

2. Takes note with concern of the low level of reporting and requests the Secretariat to further refine the draft strategy to enhance reporting under the Stockholm Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Elects, in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the appendix to the framework for effectiveness evaluation, the following members to serve on the effectiveness evaluation committee until the close of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties:

From African States: Ms. Elham Refaat Abdel Aziz (Egypt)

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the reports of the meetings of the global coordination group and regional organization groups and welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the global coordination group;

2. Welcomes the updated guidance on the global monitoring plan and encourages parties to use it and provide comments on their experience in doing so to the Secretariat through the regional organization groups;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

Mindful that the procedures and institutional mechanisms called for under Article 17 will help address compliance,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination;

2. Joins with the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in emphasizing that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential and cross-cutting element of sustainable development and is of great relevance to the sustainable development agenda;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the legal autonomy of, respectively, 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 Conference of the Parties

1. Notes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism, which should serve as a platform for the exchange and dissemination of information;

2. Takes note of the proposed joint clearing-house mechanism strategy and invites parties and others to provide comments on the strategy, in particular its scope, on national and regional priorities and needs in respect of the clearing-house mechanism and on the goals described in section IV of the strategy, to the Secretariat by 31 October 2015;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recognizes the importance of the science-policy interface for the effectiveness of the conventions;

2. Stresses the need for scientific underpinning for decision-making and policy-making in the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes at the national and regional levels;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to convene its eighth meeting in Geneva from 24 April to 5 May 2017, back to back with the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and the eighth 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; that will include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the legal autonomy of the Conference of the Parties and noting that the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme and the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the 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 have equal decision-making authority within their respective mandates,

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2014 and estimated expenditures for 2015 from the Trust Fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention Trust Fund),

Also taking note of the Office of Internal Oversight Services audit report (number 2014/024) entitled “Provision of efficient and effective Secretariat support to the conventions” and of the efforts made by the Secretariat to quantify the results achieved in implementing joint activities in accordance with the recommendation of the report,

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The seventh ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 4 to 15 May 2015, back-to-back with the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the seventh 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 meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 4 May 2015 by the three presidents of the conferences of the parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information pertaining to the election of the officers of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision SC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants established a register for the purpose of identifying parties that have specific exemptions listed in Annex A or Annex B. Any State, upon becoming a party, may, by means of a notification in writing to the Secretariat, register for one or more types of specific exemption listed in Annexes A or B.

Note by the Secretariat

Corrigendum

1. Paragraph 17

At the end of the paragraph insert
By a letter dated 28 February 2014, China notified the Secretariat that as of May 2014 it had ceased the use of DDT for an acceptable purpose.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 6 of part II of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides that, commencing at its first meeting and at least every three years thereafter, the Conference of the Parties shall, in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO), evaluate the continued need for DDT for disease vector control on the basis of available scientific, technical, environmental and economic information.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision SC-6/6, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, among other things: (a) Recalled decision SC-5/7, by which it had decided to undertake, at its seventh meeting, a review of progress toward the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls, in accordance with paragraph (h) of part II of Annex A to the Convention;

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, at its sixth ordinary meeting and every second meeting thereafter, the Conference of the Parties shall evaluate the progress that parties have made towards achieving their ultimate objective of eliminating hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether and tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether contained in articles, and review the continued need for a specific exemption for those chemicals. The specific exemption for brominated diphenyl ethers listed in Annex A, according to that same paragraph, shall in any case expire at the latest in 2030. Information has been compiled by the Secretariat on the status of notifications of specific exemptions received for brominated diphenyl ethers (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/4).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 5 of part III of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides that the Conference of the Parties shall evaluate the continued need for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) for the various acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in Annex B on the basis of available scientific, technical, environmental and economic information. The evaluation shall take place no later than in 2015 and every four years thereafter, in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in accordance with paragraph 6 of part III of Annex B to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its meeting held on 10 and 11 May 2012, the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants agreed that it would initiate the development of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to better formalize their relationship. The Bureau decided to send a letter to the Executive Director of UNEP to request the development of a memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention and UNEP concerning secretariat functions for the Stockholm Convention. In response to the letter, the Executive Director of UNEP agreed to initiate the preparation of such a memorandum of understanding.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 7 of Article 19, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants states that, at its third meeting, the Conference of the Parties is to evaluate the continued need for the procedure contained in paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3, including consideration of its effectiveness.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decision SC-4/23, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants endorsed the eight centres listed in annex I to the decision as Stockholm Convention regional or subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology for a period of four years. It also decided to evaluate, in accordance with the criteria set out in annex II to decision SC 2/9, their performance and sustainability and to reconsider, pursuant to decision SC-3/12, their status as regional or subregional centres under the Stockholm Convention at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to decision SC-5/12 on the guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has established a joint expert roster for the work on issues relating to the review and updating of the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices. Information about activities related to the guidelines and guidance is provided in the note by the Secretariat on the subject (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/14). Information about activities related to the Toolkit is set out in the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The present note sets out information on technical assistance and capacity building for 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 information is being set out jointly for the first time so as to allow for the overall presentation of the framework guiding the activities to strengthen technical assistance and capacity building and to highlight opportunities for joint implementation in those areas. The note also outlines convention-specific information pertaining to technical assistance and capacity-building activities, as these are important for upholding the individual objectives of the conventions. The note is structured as follows: section I explains the rationale for presenting the information jointly; section II reiterates the mandates for technical assistance and capacity-building under each of the conventions, as well as recent decisions adopted by the conferences of the parties; section III provides an overview of the implementation of the respective mandates, including a summary of parties’ responses to the questionnaires on technical assistance and capacity-building needs, activities undertaken during the biennium 20142015 and an outline of the programme of technical assistance and capacity-building for the biennium 20162017; and section IV outlines the proposed action that the conferences of the parties may wish to consider on the matter.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Pursuant to decision SC-5/12 on the guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has established a joint expert roster for the work on issues relating to the review and updating of the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices. Information about activities related to the Toolkit is provided in the note by the Secretariat on the subject (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/12). Information about activities related to the guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices is set out in the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraphs 1 and 2 of decision SC-6/11, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants took note of the work undertaken under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal to update the technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, and invited the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention to keep it informed regarding the outcomes of that work.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

A.Transmission of national implementation plans 1.At its fourth, fifth and sixth meetings, held, respectively, in 2009, 2011 and 2013, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted amendments to list new chemicals in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention. The amendments entered into force on 26 August 2010, 27 October 2012 and 26 November 2014, respectively, for all parties except those that had submitted a notification of non acceptance in accordance with paragraph 3 (b) of Article 22 or those that had made a declaration in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 25, for which the amendments shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after they have deposited the relevant instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee held its ninth and tenth meetings in Rome from 14 to 18 October 2013 and from 27 to 30 October 2014, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/13 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/10, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, by its decision POPRC-8/1, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for chlorinated naphthalenes and concluded that dichlorinated naphthalenes, trichlorinated naphthalenes, tetrachlorinated naphthalenes, pentachlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorinated naphthalenes, heptachlorinated naphthalenes and octachlorinated naphthalene were likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects such that global action was warranted.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, by its decision POPRC-8/2, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for hexachlorobutadiene and concluded that hexachlorobutadiene was likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects such that global action was warranted.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, by its decision POPRC-9/3, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters and concluded that pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters were likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects such that global action was warranted.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decision SC-1/9, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted the guidance to the financial mechanism set out in the annex to that decision. The guidance provides that, in accordance with paragraph 7 (d) of Article 13 of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties will regularly provide the entity or entities entrusted with the operations of the financial mechanism pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article 13 with assessments of the funding needed to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 6 of Article 13, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants defines a mechanism for the provision of adequate and sustainable financial resources to developing country parties and parties with economies in transition on a grant or concessional basis to assist in their implementation of the Convention. The financial mechanism is to function under the authority, as appropriate, and guidance of, and be accountable to, the Conference of the Parties for the purposes of the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

1.As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the report on the effectiveness of 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 (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/22), the executive summary of the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting is set out in the annex to the present note. The executive summary is reproduced as received, without formal editing.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.By paragraph 6 of Article 13, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants defines a mechanism for the provision of adequate and sustainable financial resources to developing country parties and parties with economies in transition on a grant or concessional basis to assist them with their implementation of the Convention. The financial mechanism is to function under the authority, as appropriate, and guidance of, and be accountable to, the Conference of the Parties for the purposes of the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In paragraph 7 of Article 13, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants states that the Conference of the Parties shall at its first meeting adopt appropriate guidance to be provided to the mechanism and shall agree with the entity or entities participating in the financial mechanism upon arrangements to give effect thereto.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary and ordinary meetings held in May 2013, 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 discussed agenda items pertaining to financial resources for chemicals and wastes under the three conventions and adopted several interrelated decisions on the matter as detailed in the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.By paragraph 5 of decision SC-5/16, on reporting, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants decided that each party should submit its third national report pursuant to Article 15 to the Secretariat by 31 August 2014 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.By its decision SC-6/22, on effectiveness evaluation, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted the revised framework for effectiveness evaluation pursuant to Article 16 (UNEP/POPS/COP.6/27/Add.1/Rev.1, annex).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision SC-6/23, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources: (a) To continue to support the work of the regional organization groups and the global coordination group in the implementation of the second phase of the global monitoring plan;

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of parties found to be in non-compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The general legal basis for the conferences of the parties to 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 to cooperate with international organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies is set out in each convention, specifically in the provisions establishing the functions of the conferences of the parties. In the case of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, it shall consider and undertake any action that may be required for the achievement of the purposes of the Convention, which could include international cooperation. Each convention also provides for the Secretariat of each of the conventions to cooperate with international bodies.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 on financing and budgets for the biennium 2014–2015, 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, respectively, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary meetings held in May 2013, 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 adopted the omnibus decision on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (hereinafter “2013 omnibus decision”).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision SC-6/28, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants approved the application form for admission as an observer set out in the annex to that decision and, among other things, requested the Secretariat to report to the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting on experiences with using the form referred to in paragraph 1 of that decision and the practices followed regarding the admission of observers to meetings of the bodies 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.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section III.B of the decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, 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 invited parties to consider establishing common websites and documentation centres at the national and, where appropriate, regional levels, containing available information on human health and environmental impacts relevant to the three conventions. The conferences of the parties also requested the secretariats of the three conventions to develop systems of information exchange on health and environmental impacts, including a clearing-house mechanism, with the aim of these systems serving all three conventions.

Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, 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, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note is intended to assist participants in preparing for the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the seventh 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 seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which will be held back-to-back from 4 to 15 May 2015, by providing information on initial planning and expectations for the meetings.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain a tentative schedule of work of the meetings of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (annex I) and information on possible contact groups (annex II). The tentative schedule, which was agreed to by the bureaux of the conferences of the parties to the three conventions at their joint meeting on 11-12 November 2014, is provisional and could be subject to changes before or during the two weeks of the meetings. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on specific exemptions and acceptable purposes under the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/4), the annex to the present note contains a notification submitted by India on 10 March 2014 that includes justification of the continued need for the production and use of DDT as a closed-system site-limited intermediate in the production of dicofol for a further ten years in India.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In paragraph 4 of decision SC-6/2, the Conference of the Parties requested the Secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to continue to take the lead in implementing, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, the activities on reporting and reviewing requirements for the use of lindane as a human health pharmaceutical for the control of head lice and scabies listed in section C of the annex to the report by the Secretariat on the development of reporting and reviewing requirements for the use of lindane.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/5), 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 seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/5), the annex to the present note contains a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on the roadmap for the development of alternatives to DDT prepared, in consultation with the World Health Organization, the DDT expert group and the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/5), the annex to the present note contains a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on progress in the implementation of the Global Alliance for Alternatives to DDT. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/5), the annex to the present note contains a letter from the World Health Organization (WHO), dated 30 January 2015, together with an attachment entitled WHO information on the use of DDT and DDT alternatives in disease vector control. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/6), in its leadership role within the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network (PEN), the Chemicals Branch of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP Chemicals), in cooperation with the Secretariat and in consultation with the PEN advisory committee, developed a preliminary assessment of efforts made toward the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls, taking into account national reports submitted by parties pursuant to Article 15 of the Convention and other relevant sources of information.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on polychlorinated biphenyls (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/6), annex I to the present note contains a report by the United Nations Environment Programme on progress in the implementation of the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network (PEN). Annex II contains a report of an information meeting of the PEN, held in Geneva, on 6 May 2013. Annex III contains the report of the fifth meeting of the PEN Advisory Committee, held in Geneva, on 26 and 27 November 2014. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to 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 Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/8), the annex to the present note sets out a report for the evaluation of information on PFOS, its salts and PFOSF.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on 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 Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/8), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of information submitted by parties on their experiences in implementing the recommendations set out in the annex to decision POPRC-6/2.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By decisions BC-11/13 and SC-6/16, the conferences of the parties to the Basel and Stockholm conventions respectively adopted almost identical methodologies for evaluating their respective regional centres, which include a quantitative analysis to be used in the evaluation of the performance and sustainability of each centre, to be undertaken every four years.

Note by the Secretariat

1.As referred to in the notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.12/12) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/11), the annexes to the present note set out a report by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional and subregional centres.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the technical assistance needs of developing country parties and parties with economies in transition for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention and the technical assistance available from developed country parties and others.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance programme for the implementation of the three conventions. Section I contains the Secretariat’s programme for the delivery of technical assistance for the implementation of the three conventions. Section II sets out in a tabular form a programmatic approach for the delivery of technical assistance that corresponds to the mandates of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the decisions adopted by the conferences of the parties to the three conventions, and the needs assessments carried out in 2014. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annexes to the present note set out tables listing capacity building and training activities organized by the Secretariat between May 2013 and December 2014. Global, regional and national-level face-to-face training activities are described in annex I, online activities are set out in annex II and relevant projects are listed in annex III. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the annexes to the present note contain information on capacity-building and training activities planned by the Secretariat to take place between 1 January and 31 December 2015, subject to the availability of financial resources. Annex I lists capacity-building and training workshops, annex II lists online activities and annex III includes projects. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the toolkit for identification and quantification of releases of dioxins, furans and other unintentional persistent organic pollutants (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/12) and on the guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/14), the Secretariat organized the second expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices back-to-back with the eighth expert meeting on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva, on 24 and 25 November 2014.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/14), the Secretariat invited parties and others to nominate experts with specific expertise in best available techniques and best environmental practices, in particular those relevant to the chemicals that were listed in the annexes to the Stockholm Convention in 2009 and 2011, to the joint roster to identify possible experts to support the work on the review and updating of the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and of the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties considered the draft guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and the draft guidance on BAT and BEP for the recycling and waste disposal of articles containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed under the Stockholm Convention which were developed by the Secretariat, in collaboration with UNIDO and UNITAR.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties considered the draft guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and the draft guidance on BAT and BEP for the recycling and waste disposal of articles containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed under the Stockholm Convention which were developed by the Secretariat, in collaboration with UNIDO and UNITAR .

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/31, the annex to the present note sets out the text of section I of resolution 1/5 adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its first session, and, as requested by resolution 1/5, the outcome document of the country-led consultative process on enhancing cooperation and coordination within the chemicals and wastes cluster. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16), the annex to the present note contains a table indicating the deadlines for each party to the Convention to transmit their national implementation plans, including 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

1. At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties considered revised and updated guidance for developing a national implementation plan for the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants updated in 2012 by the Secretariat, in collaboration with UNIDO and UNITAR, to include the chemicals listed in the annexes of the Convention in 2009 and 2012.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft guidance for the inventory of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention prepared by the Secretariat based on the comments received from parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/INF/28) and from the Basel Convention small intersessional working group on the development of technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants wastes (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.9/INF/30/Rev.1). The revised draft guidance is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft guidance for the inventory of polybrominated diphenyl ethers under the Stockholm Convention prepared by the Secretariat based on the comments received from parties (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/INF/28) and from the Basel Convention small intersessional working group on the development of technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants wastes (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.9/INF/30/Rev.1). The revised draft guidance is set out in the annex to the present note for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16), the annex to the present note contains comments received from parties related to the guidance documents for implementation plans listed in paragraph 7 of decision SC-6/12. The comments were submitted by Canada, Mexico, Monaco and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Note by the Secretariat

Pursuant to decision SC-6/20 on consolidated guidance to the financial mechanism, the Secretariat has prepared, as referred to in document UNEP/POPS/COP.7/25, a complete set of guidance to the financial mechanism. The complete set is contained in the annex to the present note and has also been made available on the Convention website . The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the notes by the Secretariat (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/1820), 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 Ecuador, Mexico, Serbia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on assessment of funding needs (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/21), the Secretariat invited developed-country parties, other parties and other sources, including relevant funding institutions and the private sector, to provide information on ways in which they can support the Stockholm Convention. Following this invitation, the Secretariat received submissions from Canada, Cyprus and Poland. The submissions have been reproduced in the annex to the present note. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on assessment of funding needs (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/21), and pursuant to decision SC-6/17, the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat reviewing the availability of financial resources additional to those provided through the Global Environment Facility and ways and means of mobilizing and channelling those resources in support of the objectives of the Convention, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting. The report was developed on the basis of the information submitted to the Secretariat by three developed-country parties on ways in which they can support the Stockholm Convention, as reproduced in document UNEP/POPS/COP.7/INF/31. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on report on the effectiveness of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties and the Council of the Global Environment Facility (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/22), the report of the Council of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its seventh meeting 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

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/14-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/26, the annex to the present note sets out a checklist developed by the Secretariat with a view to provide Secretariat staff with guidance on how conventions’ activities may take as a reference the various aspects of the integrated approach. The checklist has been used for developing activities for the proposed programmes of work and budgets of the biennium 20162017 and when reporting on the implementation of activities for the biennium 20142015. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.12/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/14-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/26 on facilitating financial resources for chemicals and wastes, the annex to the present note sets out the text of section II of resolution 1/5 as well as the terms of reference of the special programme as adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its first session, for ease of reference. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision SC-5/16, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants decided that parties were to submit their third report pursuant to Article 15 of the Convention to the Secretariat by 31 August 2014 for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/29), pursuant to decision SC-6/23, the Secretariat, among other things: (a) Organized a meeting of the global coordination group and regional organization groups for the global monitoring plan in Brno, Czech Republic, from 17 to 20 September 2013, to address the implementation aspects of the second phase of the global monitoring plan, including the strategy for data collection, reporting and analysis, and the use of the global monitoring plan data warehouse for the development of regional monitoring reports. The report of the meeting is contained in annex I to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/29), and in accordance with their mandate, the regional organization groups prepared the second regional monitoring reports that will serve as a basis for the development of the global monitoring report. Given their length (approximately 200 pages each), the reports are available on the Convention website. The present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.7/29), the Secretariat has continued to support the work of the regional organization groups and the global coordination group for the global monitoring plan, including the process of revising and updating the guidance on the global monitoring plan.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/12 and UNEP/POPS/COP.7/30, the present note sets out in its annex a brief on compliance under the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions prepared by the Secretariat at the request of the Bureau of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Bureau of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.12/19-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/31), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing detailed information on the activities undertaken by the Secretariat on cooperation and coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations, other multilateral environmental agreements, and non-governmental organizations and networks. The activities described in the report are either specific to one convention or are relevant to two or three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In 2013, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted decisions BC-11-26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 respectively, on financing and budgets for the biennium 2014–2015, in which, among other things, they:

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on admission of observers (UNEP/POPS/COPS.7/34), 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 27 January 2015. A list of bodies and agencies that have been previously admitted to meetings of the Conference of the Parties is available on the Stockholm Convention website. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat entitled “Programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2016–-2017: combined proposal including joint activities” (UNEP/CHW.12/22-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/32), the annex to the present note sets out budget activity fact sheets developed by the Secretariat. The fact sheets provide additional information on the proposed joint and convention-specific activities of the draft programmes of work and proposed budgets for the biennium 2016−2017, along with information on relevant meeting documents, mandates and the particulars of each activity, including objectives, indicators of achievement, expected outputs with cost estimates, methods of implementation, partners, resources approved for 2014–2015, contributions received up to 30 November 2014 and resources required for 2016–2017. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision SC-5/2, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention 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

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in paragraph 4 of document UNEP/POPS/COP.7/INF/45 on information on financial matters, the annexes to the present note set forth updated information on expenditures and on contributions pledged or received. The annexes are organized as follows:

Note by the Secretariat

1. Expressing concern at the continuing trend towards late payment of contributions to the operational budgets, the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions requested, as per decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 on financing and budgets for the biennium 20142015, the Secretariat to present options for incentives and measures, including information on those applied under other multilateral environmental agreements to deal with such challenges.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In paragraph 9 of the omnibus decision on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the Priori Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to confirm to the conferences of the parties detailed information on the projected cost savings identified since the implementation of the new matrix-based management approach and organization of the secretariats.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In accordance with decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 adopted by the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in 2013, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) conducted an audit of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions from 28 October to 12 November 2013.

Note by the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

1.In order to facilitate consideration of the credentials of the representatives of the parties present at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, 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 10 February 2015. The table is set out as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33), the annex to the present note contains a report prepared by the Secretariat, as at 31 December 2014, on the implementation of the programme budgets approved by the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 respectively. It describes expenditures incurred under the general trust funds (BC, RC and SC trust funds) and voluntary trust funds (BD, RV and SV trust funds) and provides information on related voluntary contributions made by donors for the biennium 2014–2015. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/13-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/13-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/13), the Secretariat invited on 6 September 2013, parties and relevant international and non-governmental organizations, including regional centres, to provide information on experiences in implementing the guidance on technical assistance and transfer of sound technologies set out in the annex to decision SC-1/15.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in documents UNEP/CHW.12/24, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/18 and UNEP/POPS/COP.7/34, the annex to the present note contains a report by the Secretariat to the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its twelfth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention at its seventh meeting, and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention at its seventh meeting on experiences with using the application forms referred to in paragraph 1 of decisions BC-11/22, RC-6/14 and SC-6/28 and the practices followed regarding the admission of observers to meetings of the bodies of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The report should be read in conjunction with the abovementioned meeting documents on admission of observers. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23/Rev.1-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17/Rev.1-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33/Rev.1), the present note sets out information regarding the mainstreaming of gender in the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

1. In paragraphs 11 of the 2013 omnibus decisions BC.Ex-2/1, RC.Ex-2/1 and SC.Ex-2/1 on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, 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 endorsed the matrix-based management approach and organization of the secretariats of the Basel Convention and the Stockholm Convention and the United Nations Environment Programme part of the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention, as approved by the Executive Director and reproduced in annex II to that decision.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on clearing-house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.12/26-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/20-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/35), the annex to the present note sets out a draft strategy for further development and operation of the joint clearing-house mechanism for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions which aims at strengthening regional delivery mechanisms by improving information and expertise sharing relevant to the implementation of the three conventions. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.12/23/Rev.1-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/17/Rev.1-UNEP/POPS/COP.7/33/Rev.1), the annex to the present note sets out information on the Secretariat approach for mainstreaming science in the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, with a view to support parties in gaining increased understanding of the in-depth scientific considerations relating to decision-making under the three conventions, and considering a lifecycle approach for the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Background information on international policy development in the area of the chemicals and waste management and sustainable development

1. The global community attaches great importance to the sound management of chemicals and wastes for the protection of human health and the environment. In Johannesburg in 2002 governments agreed to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment. The 2020 target was further recognised in the Rio+20 outcome “The Future We Want”.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note contain information on contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received in the biennium 20142015 as well as pledges received that have not yet been recorded in the respective trust funds as at 22 April 2015. Annex I provides an overview of total non-earmarked and earmarked contributions to the technical cooperation and voluntary special trust funds of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received from each donor. Annex II provides information on such contributions and pledges by donor country and by programme of work activity for each of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and for joint activities. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a progress report on the UNEP/UNEA Resolution 1/12 on the relationship between the United Nations Environment Programme and multilateral environmental agreements, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The documents listed in 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

1.The annex to the present note sets out the statements of the African States, Asian-Pacific States, Central and Eastern European States and Latin American and Caribbean States represented at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the seventh 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 seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, as well as the statement of the European Union and its member States, for the opening session of the meetings.