BASEL CONVENTION / ROTTERDAM CONVENTION / STOCKHOLM CONVENTION

Background

The Decision on Cooperation and Coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions by the three Conferences of the Parties (Basel COP decision IX/10, Rotterdam COP decision RC-4/11, Stockholm COP decision SC-4/34) recognized that the overarching goal of the three conventions is the protection of human health and the environment for the promotion of sustainable development and that the objective of enhanced coordination and cooperation among the three conventions is to contribute to the achievement of that goal.

The same decision establishes that actions taken to enhance coordination and cooperation should be aimed at strengthening implementation of the three conventions at the national, regional and global levels, promoting coherent policy guidance. The decision also notes that the processes for enhancing cooperation should respond to the specific needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Regional Awareness Raising Workshop on Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in Central and Eastern Europe aimed at offering a holistic approach to the three Conventions including enhancing cooperation and coordination when implementing the Conventions. A strong emphasis was put on the implementation of Conventions at national and regional level in order to share good practices of coordination which facilitate joint-implementation. In addition, a session on resource mobilization in the field of chemicals and hazardous wastes was provided by UNITAR during the workshop. The feedback obtained for participants will serve for the further development of the draft guidance on resource mobilization in the field of chemicals and hazardous wastes.

Previous sessions of this workshop were carried out in 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa and Montevideo, Uruguay. Another meeting was carried out in Beijing, China in 2011 for the Asian region. The meeting in Bratislava is the forth meeting of this kind and the first one where the draft guidance on resource mobilization was tested. Additional meetings will be held in 2011 and 2012.

Expected Results of the Workshop

  1. Participants will become aware of the process under way to further promote cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and its possible implications at the regional and national levels;
  1. Participants will have a better understanding of the status of implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in the region as well as the national priorities identified by Parties to fulfill their obligations;
  1. Participants will share information and experience on existing coordination mechanisms at national level as well as identify the areas where further coordination might be required;
  1. Participants will be more familiar with the technical and financial opportunities to implement in a coordinated way the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in the region.
  1. Participants will receive guidance in relation to resource mobilization strategies for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention.

Overview of the Presentations

The workshop started on Tuesday, 2 November 2010 at 9:00 at the Conference Room of the Hotel Devin in Bratislava.The regional workshop was opened by Ms. Dana Lapešová, Director of the BCRC Slovakia. Opening remarks were made by the Mr. Branislav Cimerman, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) of The Slovak Republic who welcomed all experts and participants. Mr. Vladimir Benko, Director General of the Slovak Environmental Agency(SEA), institution hosted the Basel Convention Regional Centre, welcomed participants and provided with information about SEA as institution provided professional support for the MoE.Ms. Elena Bodíková, PhD, Director of the Waste Management Centre of the SEA informed about detail activities of the Centre. Mr. Craig Boljkovac, Head of the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme of UNITAR welcomed the participants and pointed out the importance of the workshop and the development of the guidance tools on resource mobilization, also Mr. Tarcísio Hardman Reis, Programme Officer of the Rotterdam Convention welcomed the participants on behalf of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and provided information on the background of this workshop.

Chaired by Ms. Dana Lapesová, Director of the Basel Convention Regional Centre in Slovakia, the first day of the workshop (See Agenda, annex I) continued aiming to provide an introduction to the process of cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. With this aim several presentations were carried out by the representatives of the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions with support of the UNEP MEA coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe, Ms. Mijke Herthogs. Ms. Herthogs oriented her presentation on existing funding possibilities especially on SAICM Quick Start Programme (QSP). AS she informed the QSP is aimed on overarching policy strategy and global plan of actions. The QSP is open till 2013 so eligible countries could still submit their project proposals. The first presentation of the Secretariats was a short introduction on the objectives of the workshop followed by an overview of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. Also, another presentation was made on the status of the implementation of each of the three conventions in the region. A brief session for questions and answers were held in relation to the morning session. The first day discussion was aimed at problems with lindane storage, whether eligible countries could receive financial support fro GEF for updating the NIPs on nine new POPs, on coordination of synergies at national and regional levels and problems related to the reporting. The representative from the CzechRepublic infomed other participants about the discussion during the Meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention which was held on 5 October 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland. Polish representative spoke about her own experiences with problems in communication on synergies at national level. She asked Secretariat for advice how to proceed.

After lunch break the Secretariats presented the Safe Planet Campaign. This was followed by another presentation on the SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund and a presentation on the technical assistance under the three conventions with a special reference to the brokering tool. After that, Mr. Craig Boljkovac presented on behalf of UNITAR, the Guidance Document on the Resource Mobilization for the Sound Management of Chemicals (see annex II). This presentation was followed by a presentation from Mr. Marin Kocov on resource mobilization for chemicals and wastes and the experience of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The last presentation of the day was delivered by Mr. Raul Daussa on the OSCE activities related to the implementation of the Basel Convention.

The second day of the workshop started by the introduction of the working group exercise (See annex III) by Mr. Hans deKruijf of UNITAR. After the working groups have been established, Mr. Frank Moser of the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention delivered a presentation on the role of the Global Environmental Facility in relation to the Stockholm Convention. This presentation was followed by several presentations from the Slovak Environmental Agency (National Focal Points to the Basel and Stockholm Conventions) and representative from the Ministry of Agriculture on experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. The afternoon session of the second day served for working group discussions on opportunities and approaches related to resource mobilization.

The final day of the workshop started by a UNITAR intervention on the use of communication on resource mobilization on chemicals and wastes. This was followed by a presentation on the role of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Central Europe, which was delivered by Ms. Dana Lapesová, a presentation on the Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) and the implementation of the chemicals conventions by Dr. Holoubek and a presentation on the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for CIS countries in the Russian Federation by Dr. Rezepov. Ms. Lapesova presented regional activities of the BCRC Slovakia aimed at hazardous waste management from beginning of the Centre till present time and on activities focussed on synergies. All activities of the Centre are in accordance with 10 years Strategic Plan to the implementation of the Basel Convention and also in accordance with national priorities served countries. Mr. Holoubek spoke about most important projects and activities of Research centre and on networking partners. Mr. Rezepov mentioned in his presentation activities of the Centre, legal status of the Centre, problems related to coordination and cooperation of activities for implementation of all three Conventions and proposed activities for the near future.

After the presentations of the Regional Centres, experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions were provided by Ms. Mihaela-Claudia Ciobanu from Romania, Ms. Gordana Vešligaj from Croatia and Ms. Liudmila Marduhaeva from Moldova.Romanian representative is in position of national coordinator of the synergies process. I her presentation she mentioend legislative framework, ministerial order which by which they established a joint working goup on synergies among all three Conventions. The Order defines roles and tasks. In addition she informed about resource mobilisationa nd information exchange and clearing house mechanism on health an d environmental impacts. Croatian representative focussed her presentation on legal framework, current situation and main task for the future for competent authorities of all three Conventions.

The last part of the discussions in the working groups was held after lunch on the topics of “raising awareness and selling the strategy” and “maintaining the strategy”. Later, presentations on experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions were delivered by Ms. Liudmila Marduhaeva from Moldova and Ms. Gulshira Atemova from Kazakhstan.

In the last session of the workshop the three working groups presented their draft strategies and the conclusions of their discussions. A copy of the presentation of each group is contained in annex IV. After a wrap up discussion, Ms. Dana Lapesova, Director of the BCRC Slovakia, closed the workshop at 18:00 of the 4th November 2010.

ANNEX I – AGENDA OF THE WORKSHOP

Regional Awareness Raising Workshop on

Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination

for the implementation

of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

in Central and Eastern European Countries

Bratislava, Slovakia

2-4 November 2010

1

Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions p.

BASEL CONVENTION / ROTTERDAM CONVENTION / STOCKHOLM CONVENTION

Final Agenda

Tuesday, 2 November 2010 - Introduction to the Process of Cooperation and Coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
08:30 - 09:00 / Registration of participants
09:00 - 09:30 / Opening remarks / - Environmental Agency, Slovakia
- Director of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Central and Eastern Europe in Slovakia
- Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention
- UNITAR
09:30 - 9:45 / Coffee break
9:45 - 10:15 / Introduction of the participants
10:15 - 10:30 / Objectives to the workshop / Secretariats
10:30 - 11:00 / The Basel, Rotterdam and StockholmConventions / Secretariats
11:00 – 11:30 / The Decisions on Cooperation and Coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions / Secretariats
11:30 - 12:00 / Update on the implementation of each Convention in Central and Eastern Europe with review of Parties’ needs / Secretariats
12:00 – 14:00 / Lunch break
14:00 – 15:00 / Technical and financial assistance under the Conventions:
  1. Technical assistance under the three Conventions;
  2. Existing funding; particularly SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund (QSP TF);
  3. New initiatives: Brokering Tool.
/ TBC
15:00 - 15:20 / Coffee break
15:20 -16:00 / Summary of the discussions in the morning
Q&A / BCRC Slovakia
16:00 – 17:00 / Overview of Guidance Document: Resource Mobilization for the Sound Management of Chemicals.
Introduction to the Working Groups. / UNITAR
17:00 - 17:20 / The Safe Planet Campaign / Secretariats
17:20 - 18:00 / Experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions / TBC
19:00 – 22:00 / Reception for the participants of the workshop
Wednesday, 3 November 2010 -Resource Mobilization on the Field of Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes (UNITAR)
09:00 – 10:20 / Working groups: Step I & II / UNITAR
10:00 - 10:20 / Coffee break
10:20 - 12:30 / Experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions / TBC
12:30 - 14:00 / Lunch break
14:00 - 15:30 / Introduction to Step 3
Discussions / UNITAR
15:30 - 15:50 / Coffee break
15:50 - 18:00 / Introduction to Step 4
Discussions / UNITAR
Thursday, 4 November 2010 -Resource Mobilization on the Field of Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes (UNITAR)
09:00 - 9:15 / The role of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Central Europe in Slovakia / Ms. Dana Lapesová
9:15 - 9:30 / The Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) and the implementation of the chemicals conventions / Dr. Houloubek
9:30 – 9:45 / The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for CIS countries in the Russian Federation / Dr. Rezepov
9:45 – 10:30 / Experiences on resource mobilization and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions / TBC
10:30 - 10:50 / Coffee break
10:50 - 12:30 / Introduction to Step 5
Discussions / UNITAR
12:30 - 13:30 / Lunch break
13:30 - 15:30 / Introduction to Step 6
Discussions / UNITAR
15:30 - 15:50 / Coffee break
15:50 – 18:00 / Presentations of the working groups:
- Draft strategies
- Feedback on the guidance / UNITAR
18:00 / Closure of the workshop

ANNEX II – SUMMARY OF UNITAR PRESENTATION ON THE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

Countries that are working towards meeting the many international, national and other commitments related to protecting the environment and human health from the negative effects of chemicals and wastes have long been limited by lack of resources. At the international level, the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions attempt to find synergies that can, in part, result in the more efficient and effective allocation of such limited resources in a manner that can further assist countries in achieving their commitments.Other international agreements, such as the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), also assist countries with achieving the same goals by acting as an umbrella agreement for the sound management of chemicals and wastes.

The main objectives of the guidance are aimed towards assisting countries and other stakeholders both inside and outside the government to:

  • Understand their current, internal (within the country) situation regarding resource mobilization issues, and identify resource-related priorities
  • Understand and appreciate the various opportunities (including sources and tools) for resource mobilization at the international level (through financial mechanisms of conventions, other funding sources – both bilateral and multilateral, and through entities which can offer human resources-related technical assistance)
  • Coordinate at the national level to ensure efficient and effective pursuit of resources;
  • Develop a strategy, endorsed at a high level, to assist with ensuring a coherent and strategic approach to resource mobilization is realized at the national levelConvention Secretariat.

However, there are challenges facing developing and transition countries who have limited human and financial resources. Furthermore, the majority of agreements to-date are not accompanied by resources that are adequate to ensure the protection of human health and environment. Furthermore, some financial arrangements such as the SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund which will run only till 2013 are temporary. As a result, the most important source of financial and technical resources at present is the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with GEF-eligible countries benefitting from enabling, capacity building, investments and other projects to implement the Stockholm Convention. Consequently, the lack of financial income and technical capacity is a key barrier that hinders countries in implementing their national priorities under the Stockholm Convention. Based on prior experiences, countries still need essential capacity assistance and thus, may not be able to make full use of financial resources provided for under the Convention. Therefore, the brokering tool serves as a planning mechanism for the donor and recipient community in deciding on cooperation with other partners in the chemicals and waste area.

Goals of the Brokering Tool
Enhancing the communication among stakeholders, such as recipients and donors, donors and donors, as well as recipients and recipients
Facilitation of partnerships
Providing advice
Enhanced dissemination of good practices and lessons learned
Foster regional and global cooperation

Other challenges, learnt through past country-based capacity-building initiatives, are relevant in showing the preferred achievement and lasting stability of these programmes; and thus, deal directly with the subject of availability and sustainability of these resources. Past experiences in participating countries show that low priority is given to chemicals safety issues on both the national and international agenda. In conjunction with this, it seems that there are internal competitions for resources amongst the ministries’ departments coupled with an absence of a clear national chemicals management policy. In addition, lack of a central coordinating body in order to aid the exchange of information concerning the financial aspects of chemicals management along with a lack of awareness on procedures to explore and acquire external monetary assistance creates additional problems. While it is relevant to note that there are certain sources of financial support such as the GEF for the Stockholm Convention and SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund, it is clear that further development can be made. Therefore, a potential objective for a chemicals-related resource mobilization strategy for countries could be to “ensure, within a reasonable time frame, that adequate internal and external resources are committed for implementation of aspects (essential issues) of chemicals management at the national level”. In order to attain that goal, the strategy can serve the following objectives to help ensure success:

  • raise awareness regarding chemicals issues among decision-makers and the public;
  • put chemicals-related issues higher on a country’s internal priority list;
  • those responsible for chemicals issues understand the country’s internal decision-making processes for allocation of internal governmental resources;
  • those responsible for chemicals issues improve their knowledge of external funding opportunities – and details of the process of obtaining such funding

Progress towards building or strengthening a financial resource mobilization strategy (FRMS) can rely on a number of steps: