The fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) took place in Geneva from 28 September to 2 October, 2015. ICCM is the governing body of UNEP’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), an Approach which covers all agricultural and industrial chemicals throughout their lifecycle, and reflects environmental, economic, social, health and labour aspects of chemical safety. SAICM brings together stakeholders and sectors that include agriculture, environment, health, industry, labour, economics, science and academia to catalyse achievement of the goal by 2020 “that chemicals are used and produced in ways that minimize adverse effects on human health and the environment.”

The post-2015 Development Agenda provides a historic opportunity to place sound management of chemicals and waste at the heart of sustainable development. ICCM4  facilitated the exchange needed to promote sharing of resources and forging of partnerships. The high-level segment on 1-2 October  with participation of ministers, heads of United Nations agencies and organizations, Chief Executive Officers and high-level participants from major groups and stakeholders provided a platform for discussing ways that SAICM can contribute to implementing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The high-level segment  featured keynote speeches and panel participation from senior levels of global business and industry, government, NGOs, and donors.

Stakeholders renewed  and confirmed their commitment to act  in order to reach the 2020 goal- ensuring the proper management of chemicals .By the end of meeting the resolutions were adopted.  Meeting documents and information are available  at www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/?q=en/.

www.saicm.org/index.php?option.    

Dr. Elena Manvelyan, President of NGO AWHHE  participated in ICCM4 as SAICM focal point from RA NGO sector sharing  experience related to the SAICM issues in the area of pesticides, pesticides waste, chemicals in products and etc.

AWHHE is a member of the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) that brings together leading environmental and public health groups around the world to establish and implement safe chemicals policies and practices that protect human health and the environment. IPEN’s information (including an agenda, other meeting documents and more) on ICCM4 is available at: 

http://www.ipen.org/conferences/iccm4/overview.

http://www.ipen.org/news/ipen-press-release-world-conference-re-commits-action-toxic-chemicals-lets-funding-most

ipen team iccm4