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

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present scenario note sets out a proposal for arrangements for the conduct of, and thereby aims to assist participants in preparing for, the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth 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 ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

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 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 15 and 16 November 2018, 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

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/CHW.14/2, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/2 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/2), an overview table of all the elections expected to take place during the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the ninth 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 ninth 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on election of officers (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/2), the annex to the present note sets out the curricula vitae received in advance of the ninth 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 from 5 May 2020 to 4 May 2024. The present note, including its annex, 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 fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, and the ninth 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 17 January 2019. This table is attached as an annex to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned 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.9/5), 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 ninth meeting.

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.9/5), the annex to the present note sets out information submitted by the World Health Organization 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

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.9/5), the annex to the present note sets out two reports submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme: the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT, and the implementation of the Global Alliance for the development and deployment of products, methods and strategies as alternatives to DDT for disease vector control. 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 proposals to amend Article 8 of and Annex D to the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/15), the annex to the present note sets out an explanatory note submitted by the Government of the Russian Federation, in English only, on its proposals to amend Article 8 and Annex D to the Stockholm Convention. The submission is reproduced as received. 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.9/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report on progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls prepared by the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls established in paragraph 8 of decision SC-8/3. 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.9/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities of the polychlorinated biphenyls Elimination Network, prepared by the Chemicals and Health Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme. 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 evaluation of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and promotion of alternatives to DDT (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/5), 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 ninth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/9), the Secretariat invited Parties and others to confirm the availability of the current experts and/or nominate new experts in the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/9), the reports of the expert meetings on Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices and on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants, held in Vienna, Austria, from 3 to 5 October 2017 and in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 9 to 11 October 2018, are set out in the annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. 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 Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/9), the reports of the expert meetings on Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices and on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants, held in Vienna, Austria, from 3 to 5 October 2017 and in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 9 to 11 October 2018, are set out in the annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. 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 Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/9), the reports of the expert meetings on Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices and on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants, held in Vienna, Austria, from 3 to 5 October 2017 and in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 9 to 11 October 2018, are set out in the annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. 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 Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/9), the reports of the expert meetings on Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices and on the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants, held in Vienna, Austria, from 3 to 5 October 2017 and in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 9 to 11 October 2018, are set out in the annexes I and II to the present note, respectively. 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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/11), the annex to the present note sets out draft preliminary draft guidance on preparing inventories of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE).The present guidance should be read in conjunction with the guidance document set out in the annex to document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/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 implementation plans (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/11), the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance on preparing inventories of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The present guidance should be read in conjunction with the draft general guidance on Persistent Organic Pollutants inventory development set out in the annex to document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/19/Add.1. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out draft general guidance on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) inventory development. The present guidance should be read in conjunction with the preliminary draft guidance on preparing inventories of short-chain chlorinated paraffins set out in the annex to document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/19. 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.9/11), the annex to the present note sets out preliminary draft guidance on alternatives to decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE). 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.9/11), the annex to the present note sets out preliminary draft guidance on alternatives to short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). 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 reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/19), in decision SC-8/17, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention took note of the revised strategy to increase the rate of submission of national reports by Parties pursuant to Article 15 and invited Parties and requested the Secretariat to implement, where appropriate, the recommendations contained therein.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list dicofol in Annex A to the Convention and draft text of the proposed amendment (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/13) and on recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds in Annex A to the Convention and draft text of the proposed amendment (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/14), 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 Albania, Costa Rica, Ecuador and 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 proposals to amend Article 8 of and Annex D to the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/15), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of the comments received from Parties relating to the proposed amendments. 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.14/16-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note contains the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2018–2021 in the biennium 2018–2019, including an overview of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions’ global, regional and national capacity-building and training activities undertaken or planned by the Secretariat from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, subject to the availability of financial resources. 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 technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (UNEP/CHW.14/16–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/15–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/16), the annex to the present note sets out a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the technical assistance plan for the implementation of 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 notes by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (UNEP/CHW.14/17) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/17), the annexes to the present note contain the draft evaluation report on the performance and sustainability of the 13 Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (BCRCs) and the 15 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 procurement capacity assessment of the Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres. Annex III contains the status of the submission of workplans and activity reports by the centres. Annex IV contains the individual draft evaluation reports on the performance and sustainability of the Basel and Stockholm Convention regional centres based on the activity reports for the period 20152018. 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.14/17) and on the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres for capacity-building and the transfer of technology (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/17), the annexes to the present note set out reports by the Secretariat on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres, including a compilation of the technology transfer activities reported by the regional centre.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in annex IV to the note by the Secretariat on the report on the activities of the Basel and Stockholm conventions regional centres, the annex to the present note sets out a document prepared by the marine litter topic group lead by the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Spain as part of its activities under the Convention on the impact of plastic waste, marine plastic litter, microplastics and measures for their prevention and environmentally sound management encouraged by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, in paragraph 14 of decision BC-13/11 and paragraph 12 of decision SC-8/5, respectively. 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 reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/19), the annex to the present note sets out the draft manual for national reports under Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group established by decision SC-8/17 to develop the manual. 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.9/18), the annex to the present note sets out the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting. 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.9/18), the annex to the present note sets out the report 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the financial mechanism (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/18), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information received from Parties and other stakeholders on ways in which they can provide support for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. 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 Secretariat on the implementation of the integrated approach to financing sound management of chemicals and wastes including its three mutually reinforcing components: mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. 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, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, 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 global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/21), the report of the meeting of the regional organization groups and the global coordination group for the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention, held in Brno, Czech Republic, from 30 May to 1 June 2018, 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 is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/21), the draft updated guidance on the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants prepared by the global coordination group 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 is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/21), the draft updated guidance on the global monitoring plan for persistent organic pollutants prepared by the global coordination group 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 is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), 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 agreement secretariats, and non-governmental organizations and networks from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. 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

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), 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, 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 international cooperation and coordination (UNEP/CHW.14/20-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report providing updates on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, including activities relevant to the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, submitted by the secretariat of the Minamata 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 clearing house mechanism for information exchange (UNEP/CHW.14/21-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/17-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/24), the annex to the present note sets out the draft workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism for the biennium 2020-2021. 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 synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annexes to the present note set out the following information:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes (UNEP/CHW.14/23-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/19-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/26), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on further areas, including areas common to two or three of the conventions, in which legal clarity could be improved. 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 from science to action (UNEP/CHW.14/24–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/20–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/27), the annex to the present note sets out a draft road map on from science to action prepared by the Secretariat. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27, on the programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, 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 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), 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 2020−2021: proposed operational budgets for the two funding scenarios (UNEP/CHW.14/INF/43-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/36-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/45).

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-14/29, RC-9/17, SC-9/27 on the programmes of work and budgets for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions for the biennium 2020–2021, the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions approved their respective programme budgets, on the basis of the budget activity fact sheets contained in document UNEP/CHW.14/INF/44-UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/37-UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/46.

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

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, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions received in the biennium 20182019 as at 3 April 2019. Annex I contains an overview of such pledges and contributions received from Parties. Annex II contains information on such pledges and contributions for each programme of work activity in relation to the approved budgets for the biennium 2018–2019. Annex III contains more detailed information on pledges and contributions received by Party. 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 programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2020–2021: combined proposal including joint activities (UNEP/CHW.14/25–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/21–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/28), the annex to the present note sets out a note from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on cooperation between the secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The annex is reproduced as received from the Executive Director.

Note by the Secretariat

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 17 April 2019). 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

As is mentioned in the notes by the Secretariat on annotations to the provisional agendas (UNEP/CHW.14/1/Add.1, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/1/Add.1 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/1/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out Guidelines on preventing and addressing all forms of harassment at meetings of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. 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.9/18), the annex to the present note sets out a summary of the response of the Global Environment Facility to guidance received by the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. It should be considered in conjunction with the executive summary of the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting set out in annex I to document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/18, and the full report set out in document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/30. The annex is reproduced as received. 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 reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention (UNEP/POPS/COP.9/19), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat pursuant to paragraph 2 (d) of Article 20 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants containing information provided in the national reports submitted by Parties. As at 11 December 2018, the Secretariat had received the reports from 59 Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the March 2018 United Nations Environment Programme flexible template of options for the provision of secretariat services. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in documents UNEP/CHW.14/26, UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/22 and UNEP/POPS/COP.9/29, the annex to the present note sets out the November 2016 United Nations Environment Programme delegation of authority policy and framework for the management and administration of multilateral environmental agreement secretariats. 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.9/18), the present note sets out the summary of discussions of the brainstorming meeting on the implementation of priority activities in the context of the Stockholm Convention for the period 2018–2022, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland on 17 November 2018. 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 (UNEP/CHW.14/20UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/16UNEP/POPS/COP.9/23), the annex to the present note sets out a report 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

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on gender mainstreaming (UNEP/CHW.14/22–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/18–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/25), the annex to the present note provides a report on gender-related activities implemented by the Secretariat, as outlined in the updated Gender Action Plan of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The updated plan includes indicators for monitoring progress so as to enable the conferences of the Parties to follow up on the plan’s implementation. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In decisions BC-13/24, RC-8/17 and SC-8/27 on programmes of work and budgets for the biennium 2018–2019, 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, invited the Executive Secretary to provide any secretariat support that may be requested and fully funded by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

1. Meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall take place at the seat(s) of the Secretariat, unless 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. As is mentioned in UNEP/CHW.14/INF/57–UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.9/INF/46–UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/60, Governments wishing to submit offers to host the 2021 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, were encouraged to submit such offers to the Secretariat by 29 March 2019.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a provisional list of meeting documents for the ninth 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.