03 – 04 July 2013
Geneva, Switzerland
The sixth meeting of the Working Group on Water and Health of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/documents/2000/wat/mp.wat.2000.1.e.pdf) to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/pdf/watercon.pdf ) was held on 3-4 July 2013.
The main objective of the meeting was to prepare the third session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (Oslo, Norway, 25-27 November 2013). The Working Group reviewed the implementation of the activities under the Protocol’s programme of work 2011-2013 and discussed a draft programme of work for 2014–2016 to be submitted for adoption by the Meeting of the Parties.
During the meeting a side event “Water in the Post-2015 Development Agenda: How to achieve an aspirational water SDG?” (http://staging.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/documents/2013/wat/6th_WGWH/water_post_2015.pdf) was organized by UNECE and UN-Water with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation. Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) non –governmental organization was attended from the NGO sector.
27 – 28 May 2013
Tbilisi, Georgia
The sub-regional workshop to share experience in the implementation of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/documents/2000/wat/mp.wat.2000.1.e.pdf) to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/pdf/watercon.pdf ) for countries of the Caucasus was held on 27-28 May 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The workshop was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia, with the support from the Global Water Partnership Georgia and the WHO/Europe secretariat.
The objectives of the workshop were: to facilitate exchange of countries’ experiences; to share information on the process of development and adoption of targets under the Protocol; to discuss and identify solutions to the main challenges in the process of setting targets; and to discuss water and health issues common to all countries of the Caucasus.
At the opening session, the Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia, Ms. Nino Sharashidze, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, delivered welcoming statements highlighting the importance of achieving progress in ensuring safe drinking water supply and adequate sanitation in Georgia and the Caucasus.
Several pilot projects and different experiences of 3 Caucasian countries were presented in diverse areas, such as Small-scale water supplies and sanitation; Water safety planning; Prevention and reduction of water-related diseases; Post-2015 development agenda and the possible Sustainable Development Goal on water; and Levels of performance of water supply and sanitation systems, including technical aspects of drinking water and wastewater systems management. Emma Anakhasyan, the Head of the Environmental Health Department of the AWHHE, was also invited as NGO representative to share the experience of AWHHE in implementation of the Protocol.
Armenian delegation and
Alisher Mamadzhanov, UNECE
15-16 May 2013
Paris, France
The second meeting of the Expert Group on Monitoring Progress in Achieving Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation in the pan-European region (http://www.unece.org/env/water/2nd_expert_group_eqaccessscorecard.html) under the Protocol on Water and Health (mp.wat.2000.1.e.pdf) to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) (watercon.pdf) was organised in Paris on 15-16 May 2013 in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of France. As Party to the Protocol since 2005, France is leading and supporting activities on equitable access.
The objectives of the meeting were:
- To draw lessons from the pilot projects on assessing equitable access implemented in France, Portugal and Ukraine (self-evaluation process, findings and follow-up)
- To finalize the score card on equitable access
- To finalize the synthesis report including recommendations on the way to organise the self-assessment process and to use the results
- To discuss the possible next steps and future work on equitable access in the framework of the Protocol on Water and Health.
The meeting was attended by the experts from countries of the UNECE region and from international organizations. Emma Anakhasyan, the Head of the Environmental Health Department of the AWHHE was also invited as an expert from the organization, which could offer an advanced expertise in equitable access in water and sanitation and in the implementation of the Protocol.
The pilot projects implemented in three countries were presented. The three assessments highlighted the lack of statistics available about access to water and sanitation for vulnerable and marginalized groups and of an integrated public policy to address their specific needs. The three countries are now considering the possibility of including more specific targets for equitable access to water and sanitation in their future strategic plans. This will contribute to the mandatory progressive implementation of the human right to water and sanitation.
Participants discussed and provided input on (1) finalizing the score card on equitable access (Draft_Synthesis_Scorecard_Report__10_may_2013_.pdf) and (2) the possible next steps and future work on equitable access in the framework of the Protocol (Proposed_next_steps_and_future_work_EqAccess_WatSan.pdf).
Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 April to 10 May 2013
The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention was held back-to-back with the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-11), the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-6) and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the three conferences of the parties to the three conventions (ExCOPs-2) from 28 April to 10 May 2013.
It was possible to reach a solution to insert a new substance hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) into the list of the Stockholm Convention,
Another significant achievement of the Geneva talks was the decision to use an ecological approach for pest control in rural agriculture, based on the extensive use of agro-ecology and organic farming.
During the talks in Geneva a lot of attention was paid to the importance of regional centers for the Stockholm and Basel Conventions.
The need to increase funding for the effective implementation of the Convention in the period 2014-2018 was underlined taking into consideration that developing countries and countries with economies in transition require substantial technical and financial assistance and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to meet their obligations under the Convention.
NGOs spoke out strongly against recent EU legislation on the Ship Recycling Regulation, which withdraws end-of-life ships from the EU’s implementation of the BC, and addresses these ships under the yet-to-come-into-force Hong Kong Convention. By the evening reception, though, a more complex picture emerged, as delegates discussed the matter in more judicious terms. One NGO participant recalled the issue arose at COP10, and anticipated ongoing discussions at this COP.
AWHHE representative attended COP6 as an observer.
Новости <Эко-Согласия> по химической безопасности
ПЕРЕГОВОРЫ НА ШЕСТОЙ КОНФЕРЕНЦИИ СТОРОН СТОКГОЛЬМСКОЙ КОНВЕНЦИИ О СОЗ
В Женеве 2 мая завершилась шестая Конференция сторон Стокгольмской конвенции о СОЗ. Жаркие дискуссии прошедших трех дней привели к компромиссу по ряду важных вопросов.
Удалось добиться решения принять новое вещество в список Стокгольмской конвенции. Гексабромциклододекан (ГБЦД), полностью отвечающий всем критериям стойкого органического загрязнителя (СОЗ), будет включен в Приложение А Конвенции для запрета на производство и использование и ликвидацию существующих запасов экологически безопасным способом.
В ходе обсуждений Европейский Союз доказывал необходимость разрешить переработку материалов, содержащих это вещество. Норвегия, поддержанная странами Африки и неправительственными организациями, выступила категорически против такого разрешения. Переработка материалов, содержащих ГБЦД, приводит к тому, что данное вещество переходит в новую продукцию и продолжает отравлять людей и окружающую среду, несмотря на глобальный запрет на его производство и использование. Представители ЕС утверждали, что новые товары, полученные в процессе переработки, будут использоваться только в рамках ЕС и не будут экспортироваться в развивающиеся страны и страны с переходной экономикой, которые не располагают необходимыми технологиями для экологически безопасной переработки или ликвидации товаров, когда они становятся отходами. Однако гарантировать реальное выполнение такого утверждения невозможно. ГБЦД производится не только в ЕС, но и , например, в Китае, откуда он поступает в любые другие страны, что подтвердил представитель Австралии, отметив, что ГБЦД импортируется в его страну из Китая.
Взвесив все аргументы, делегаты Конференции сторон приняли решение не предоставлять специальное исключение на переработку отходов, содержащих ГБЦД.
ГБЦД широко используется в изоляционных материалах в строительстве и, как и все СОЗ, крайне опасно для здоровья людей. Оно накапливается в биологических организмах, может переносится на большие расстояния и длительное время сохраняется в окружающей среде. ГБЦД обнаружен в Арктике, морской рыбе, морских птицах, тюленях, белуге и белых медведях. ГБЦД накапливается в живых организмах и поднимается вверх по пищевой цепи. ГБЦД негативно воздействует на неврологическое развитие, приводит к гормональным нарушениям и другим функциональным заболеваниям. Это вещество обнаружено в грудном молоке, причем недавние исследования показывают увеличение концентрации ГБЦД в грудном молоке.
На Конференции сторон Норвегия представила документ, в который вошли четкие аргументы в пользу полного запрета на производство и использование ГБЦД без разрешения на специальные исключения по его применению. Тем не менее специальное разрешение было все-таки включено в итоговый документ Конференции. Страны могут потребовать специального разрешения на продолжение производства и использования ГБЦД в течение пяти лет после включение вещества в список Конвенции. Однако теперь им придется маркировать новые товары, содержащие ГБЦД. <Это существенный шаг вперед, считает Ольга Сперанская, Сопредседатель IPEN и руководитель Программы по химической безопасности <Эко-Согласия>. <Маркировка ГБЦД на товаре позволит странам сделать правильный выбор, принимая решение об импорте. Кроме того, такое решение – хороший прецедент для маркировки других СОЗ, как, например, бромированные пламегасители>. Напомним, что окта и пента бромированные дифенил эфиры были включены в список Стокгольмской конвенции, однако, развитые страны добились специального исключения на переработку содержащей их продукции. В результате эти стойкие органические загрязнители, производство и использование которых запрещено на глобальном уровне, сохраняются в новых товарах и продолжают наносить вред здоровью людей и экосистемам.
Еще одним существенным достижением переговоров в Женеве стало решение использовать экологический подход при борьбе с вредителями в сельском хозяйстве, основанный на широком применении агроэкологии и органического земледелия. Такое решение было принято при обсуждении альтернатив эндосульфану – смертельно опасному пестициду, включенному в список Стокгольмской конвенции два года назад. Неправительственные организации требовали проведения оценки опасности предлагаемых химических альтернатив эндосульфану, утверждая, что многие из них не менее опасны, чем сам эндосульфан. Решение делегатов Конференции даст возможность фермерам срочно обратиться к своим правительствам с требованием оказать помощь в переходе на не химические средства борьбы с вредителями.
В ходе переговоров в Женеве большое внимание уделялось важности региональных центров по Стокгольмской и Базельской конвенциям. Развивающиеся страны утверждали, что региональные центры представляют собой инструмент для оказания странам технической помощи в повышении их потенциала для эффективного выполнения Стокгольмской конвенции. Страны выступали также за увеличение финансовой помощи центрам и предоставление большей поддержки со стороны Глобального экологического фонда (ГЭФ).
Большое внимание уделялось работе ГЭФ как финансового механизма Стокгольмской конвенции. Подчеркивалась необходимость увеличения финансирования для эффективного выполнения конвенции в период с 2014-2018 гг, принимая во внимание, что развивающимся странам и странам с переходной экономикой требуется существенная техническая и финансовая помощь, а также передача экологически безопасных технологий для выполнения своих обязательство по Конвенции.
Новости «Эко-Согласия»по химической безопасности
ТОКСИЧНЫЕ ХИМИЧЕСКИЕ ВЕЩЕСТВА В ТОВАРАХ ДЛЯ ДЕТЕЙ
Круглый стол по этой теме прошел 2 мая 2013 года в рамках совместной конференции сторон трех химических конвенций (Женева, 27 апреля-10 мая 2013 года). С презентациями выступали представители «Эко-Согласия», IPEN, ГРИД-Арендал, НПО «Армянские женщины за здоровье и здоровую окружающую среду», НПО «Независимая экологическая экспертиза», Регионального центра по Стокгольмской и Базельской конвенциям, ЮНЕП. Участники круглого стола обсудили результаты партнерского проекта «Токсичные вещества в товарах для детей», выполненного в шести странах ВЕКЦА осенью 2012 года, рассказали о том, какое влияние оказал проект на решение проблемы токсичных веществ в игрушках в странах региона.
Были представлены рекомендации, подготовленные участниками проекта и адресованные законодательной и исполнительной власти стран ВЕКЦА и представителям промышленных предприятий, выпускающих товары для детей. С полным текстом рекомендаций можно ознакомиться здесь:
http://www.ecoaccord.org/news2012/recommendations.pdf
Итоговая публикация по результатам проекта «Токсичные вещества в товарах для детей», размещена здесь: http://www.ecoaccord.org/pop/2013/toxicrep_rus.pdf
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Информационная служба “Эко-Согласие”
ПЕРЕПЕЧАТКА МАТЕРИАЛОВ ПРИВЕТСТВУЕТСЯ,
ПРОСЬБА ССЫЛАТЬСЯ НА ИСТОЧНИК
Главный редактор – Ольга Сперанская
speransk 2004@mail .ru
www.ecoaccord.org
Over 140 countries agreed on Minamata Convention on Mercury (the Minamata Convention), a global treaty that was designed to prevent emissions and releases of mercury. It aims at controls and reductions in a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted and also requires governments to devise national plans to reduce the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations. The treaty was adopted on January 19, 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland, at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5) organized by UNEP. The text of the Convention will be open for signature at the Diplomatic Conference to be held from 7 to 11 October 2013 in Japan.
Accredited NGOs participated as observers in the INC5 sessions. AWHHE was part of the NGO group representing the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) and International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN).
While heading in the right direction, ZMWG expressed concerns about the treaty not reaching far enough nor fast enough to address the spiraling human health risks from mercury exposure. (details:ZMWG press release).
IPEN said that the treaty is unlikely to reduce mercury releases, and may even result in increased mercury pollution; also, the treaty name, “Minamata Convention”, dishonours those who continue to suffer from one of the worst cases of industrial mercury poisoning in the world. (details: IPEN press release).
17-18 December 2012, Yerevan, Armenia
The project “Toxic Metals in Children’s Products” started on September 2012 in the six countries of the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) with participation of the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), “Eco-Accord” NGO, Global Green Grants Foundation (GGF), and GRID – Arendal.
As part of the project from November 27 to December 9 large-scale testing was conducted on six toxic elements (lead, mercury, cadmium, antimony, arsenic, chromium) in products for children, purchased randomly in shops and markets of Moscow, Volgograd, Sochi, Kolomna, Minsk, Yerevan, Almaty, Bishkek and Kiev.
The test results give a reason for concern: out of 569 products 164 samples (29%) contained at least one toxic metal of the six identified.
The toy testing in Armenia performed by the IPEN expert Joseph DiGangi by the help of an X-ray fluorescence analyzer showed that out of 68 toys purchased in Yerevan approximately 20% of the toys contained at least one toxic metal above levels of concern and the most common problem was lead. The regulatory limit for lead in soil that children walk on is 32 ppm but lead levels in toys that children place in their mouth ranged from 32 ppm – 12,140 ppm – more than 350 times the limit. Most of the toys containing toxic metals were manufactured in China.
On December 17-18, 2012 at the Hotel Congress in Yerevan was held an International Conference on “Heavy metals in child toys. National and regional policy issues on chemical security in products designed for children” with participation of NGOs from Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia. The conference was organized by the “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” non-governmental organization within the framework of the “Toxics Free Child Toys” project funded by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), Global Green Grants Foundation (GGF), “Eco-Accord” NGO, GRID – Arendal and UNDP / GEF Small Grants Program.
Prior to the conference on the 12th of December 2012, at 12:00 at the press club “Hayeli“ (Mirror) the “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” (AWHHE) NGO gave a press conference on Toxic Metals in Products Designed for Children. The event was attended by ten representatives of mass media.
The purpose of the international conference was to attract the attention of all stakeholders, including NGOs, government, toy manufacturers and consumers to the problem of toy safety and to develop recommendations for the government, manufacturers on the improvement of the National legislation, production and sale of child toxics free products. Among the attendants were 50 representatives from the Ministries of Health, Nature Protection, and Economy, the Armenian offices of the international organizations WHO, UNICEF, UNIDO, the project implementing NGOs, local NGOs and representatives from seven mass media companies.
As toxic metals defined in this study are dangerous to human health, the governments of the countries of the EECCA region should adopt stricter standards for regulation of overall concentration of toxic metals in products for children and to strengthen control over the implementation of the standards and their enforcement, which will protect national markets from influx of goods, rejected in the EU and in other countries with more progressive legislation and standards.
The conference was concluded by the discussion and approval of the recommendations for governments, manufacturers and consumers.
Below are the links to the media, who have actively highlighted the works of the conference.
- http://www.armeniatv.am/hy/news/32863
- http://www.armnewstv.am/hy/1355833912
- http://www.armnewstv.am/hy/1355753610
- http://hetq.am/arm/articles/21665/erekhaneri-khaxaliqnerum-tunavor-metaxner-en-haytnabervel.html
- http://yerevantv.am/%d5%af%d5%a1%d6%80%d5%ae%d5%ab%d6%84%d5%b6%d5%a5%d6%80%d5%ab-
%d5%ad%d5%a1%d5%b9%d5%b4%d5%a5%d6%80%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%af12-12-2012 - http://hetq.am/arm/articles/21665/erekhaneri-khaxaliqnerum-tunavor-metaxner-en-haytnabervel.html
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCT7zPrau3Y&feature=player_embedded
- http://www.ecolur.org/hy/news/sos/20-toys-in-armenia-contaminated-with-toxic-elements-photos/4433/
- http://www.ecolur.org/en/news/sos/20-toys-in-armenia-contaminated-with-toxic-elements-photos/4433/
http://www.ecolur.org/ru/news/sos/20-toys-in-armenia-contaminated-with-toxic-elements-photos/4433/
An article on toy safety has also been published in the “Delovoy Express” weekly newspaper.
12 December 2012, Yerevan, Armenia – The ninth meeting of the Steering Committee (SC) of the National Policy Dialogue (NPD) on Integrated Water Resources Management brought together over 50 representatives of governmental institutions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to discuss key water issues in Armenia. The meeting was organized in cooperation with the Agency of Water Resources Management of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia. The NPD Steering Committee meeting was also considered as the National Coordination Council meeting of the European Union (EU) “Environmental Protection of International River Basins” (EPIRB) project. Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) non –governmental organization was responsible for the logistics of this meeting.
Presentations information on NPD process and international projects in stage of implementation were introduced during the meeting.
The meeting started with the discussion of the Status of NPD Activities in Armenia.
The next session was devoted to the launch of the “Water and Health” project supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Finnish Environment Institute. The presentations introduced the Protocol on Water and Health and its advantages for Armenia to become a Party as well as the situation in Armenia related to water management, quality of drinking water, water-related diseases, water supply and sanitation in urban areas and local problems and solutions for drinking water and sanitation. AWHHE representative is involved in the project as a national expert.
Then sessions were dedicated to Economic instruments in water management ((a) sustainable sanitation strategy and (2) comprehensive assessment of economic instruments) supported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), EU funded EPIRB project, other technical assistance projects in Armenia supported by USAID, European Commission and United Nations Development Program /Global Environment Facility.
The discussions stressed the need to further coordinate international initiatives on transboundary river basin management through the EU Water Initiative Policy Dialogue. During the last session of the chairman recalled the SC decisions made, as follows:
- The SC expressed its readiness to oversee the “Water and Health” project implementation in Armenia and organize discussions at key stages of the project implementation;
- The SC stressed the need to develop national strategy for sustainable sanitation and approved the idea of having recommendations for a policy package on the introduction of the economic instruments in water sector within the OECD component of the NPD process in Armenia;
- The SC approved the proposed tentative workplan of the EPIRB project activities in Armenia, and called EPIRB project to try to get some basic hydrological data from the Turkish part of Akhuryan River basin, given the fact that over 70% of the basin is located in the territory of Turkey.
- SC expressed its readiness to continue serving as forum to coordination of all water-related national and regional projects implemented in Armenia.
11 December 2012, c. Yerevan
Control over the children’s products is directly related to the child’s health. In a number of countries there is stable growth tendency in diseases among children and adolescents, one reason of which is the chemicalization of the industry, including the branches of industry manufacturing children’s products.
In 2012 the 6 member organizations of the International POPs Elimination network (IPEN) in the countries of the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia region, have conducted research for the content of heavy metals in children’s products.
A total of 568 children’s products randomly purchased from various markets and stores in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Russia and Ukraine were tested. Testing was conducted using a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer. The main attention was paid to arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury contents, though the contents of more toxic metals such as cadmium and chromium were also determined.
Of 68 toys purchased in Armenia within the frame of the project “Toxic Free Child Toys” approximately 20% of the toys contained at least one toxic metal above levels of concern and the most common problem was lead. The regulatory limit for lead in soil that children walk on is 32 ppm but lead levels in toys that children place in their mouth ranged from 32 ppm – 12,140 ppm – more than 350 times the limit. Most of the toys containing toxic metals were manufactured in China. However, two of these toys were manufactured in Armenia.
The survey of toys has discovered that the contaminated toys amongst the toys purchased in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia make, respectively, 22%, 23%, 27% and 20%.
This way of testing children’s products for heavy metals content is the first research method widely available to the public in the countries of the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia region.
Research results are of concern due to the fact that children, due to their desire to put everything in mouth, are subject to additional exposure to heavy metals.
In order to avoid the negative effects of toxic metals in children’s products, it is necessary first of all to improve the national policy in the field of chemical safety regulation with regard to baby products.
Testing results show that not all children’s products contain high concentrations of heavy metals; even there are products which do not contain them at all, which indicates that the manufacturing companies are able to produce toxics free products. The enterprises and manufacturers of children’s products are called upon to reject the use of toxic substances, including heavy metals in production of baby products, as well as to toughen the national legislation and set stricter standards.
In 2001 Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Russia and Ukraine have adopted ISO 8124-3-2001 standard that applies to toys and children’s products safety requirements and test methods and the total content of toxic substances in products.
In the EC Directive 2009/48/EC of the 18th of June 2009 (entered into force in 2011) the maximum allowable concentrations are significantly lower than in other countries that may lead to a situation where the products prohibited and/or recalled from market of the European Union can appear in the countries or regions having less strict standards.
The IPEN General Assembly was held on 07-10 of June in Petrópolis, Brazil just prior the Rio+20 summit. Main topics discussed during the GA were: Update & POP COP6, Beyond POPs & the 2020 Goal, Heavy Metals & Communications Training, Rio+20; Coalition Building; SGP.
AWHHE representative Lusine Nalbandyan had a speech on POPs Policy Updates – National Success Stories – Next Step – Stockpiles Success.
General Assembly provided direct policy and technical trainings to approximately 80 IPEN NGO representatives working on chemical safety; promoted joint campaign opportunities among IPEN Participating Organizations (POs); and enabled IPEN to update its constituency’s past developments as well as outline future opportunities. More detailed information on IPEN GA is available at www.ipen.org.
The Toxics-Free Future Forum (http://ipen.org/toxics-free-2012/2012-global-toxics-free-future-forum/)
Rio + 20 PrepCom meetings and side events: Protecting women’s health and future generations from harmful environmental impacts was the topic of the “Protecting our first environment” side event held on 13th of June, which was organized by WECF, IPEN and the members of the Women’s Major Group at Barra Arena at the Rio+20 conference. http://www.wecf.eu/english/articles/2012/06/protecting-environment.php
AWHHE representative Lusine Nalbandyan had a speech at the side event “Testing chemicals in our bodies, and women experience with plant- based tinctures instead of pesticides- a case study from Armenia”.
More information on Rio+20 efforts is available at: http://news.newclear.server279.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IPEN-Report-back-on-Rio+20-20Jun2012.pdf.
