Updates

14-03-2012

IPEN releases new document: IPEN Thoughts about Preparing for INC4

IPEN would like to share some thoughts and observations as delegates prepare for the 4^th Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury (INC4). The treaty negotiation is occurring against a backdrop of rapidly increasing mercury levels. Scientists note that mercury levels in the Pacific Ocean have increased by 30% over the last 20 years and if no measures are taken, mercury levels will rise by 50% in the next few decades. In fact, without measures to reverse this trend, scientists estimate that the Pacific Ocean will be twice as contaminated with mercury in 2050 as in 1995. This will adversely affect mercury content in fish, a primary source of human exposure. While some progress was made at INC3, weak measures on important treaty elements along with the complete stalemate on emissions and financial considerations raise concerns about whether the treaty will affect the rising trend in mercury levels. Without authentic action to address mercury sources the treaty may actually legitimize the rising emissions while failing to protect human health and the environment.

Read the entire document: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish

——————————————————————————————————–

23-01-2012

IPEN signs on to statement delivered to the Japanese Government.

Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution, along with Minamata Disease Victims Mutual Aid Society and Green Action, sent a joint statement to the Japanese Government highlighting the need to incorporate the lessons learned from Minamata into the International Mercury Treaty. This statement, submitted in January, 2012, was signed by 486 organizations and individuals from around the world.

05-11-2011

On 5 November, at the Mercury INC3 in Nairobi, IPEN released a press release highlighting the True Cost of Mercury:

UN Delegates Struggle with the True Cost of Mercury (Nairobi, Kenya).

Delegates from more than 120 countries struggled to move forward on a
global mercury treaty. Narrow cost considerations seemed to prevail over comprehensive
obligatory provisions that fully protect human health and the environment from the toxic metal. Mercury can permanently damage the brain and kidneys and has been shown to affect a developing fetus, even months after the mother’s exposure.

Please read the entire press release here.

01-11-2011

Please find a list of IPEN interventions presented at INC3 under “Treaty negotiations” – “INC3″ section (scroll to bottom of page).

31-10-2011

IPEN Participating organizations are currently present at the 3rd International Negotiating Committee (INC3) meeting for a global mercury treaty, which is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 31 October – 4 November, 2011.

Please see IPEN’s press release from 31st October 2011:
UN delegates tackle the true cost of gold (Nairobi, Kenya)

High gold prices vs. child labor and toxic contaminated sites

Delegates from more than 120 countries are being reminded of the true cost of gold
mining on the first day of a meeting to negotiate a global mercury treaty. Discussions focused on smallscale mining since it is the largest deliberate use of mercury.
While delegates debated mercury control and economic benefits of the activity, civil society
representatives and Indigenous Peoples distributed postcards with chocolate gold coins asking, “What is the true price of gold?” The card cited data from the International Labour Organisation stating that in Africa, children under the age of 18 may constitute up to 30%-50% of the entire small-scale gold mining workforce.

Please read the entire press release here. The press release can also be found under “Treaty negotiations” – “INC3″ section.

In parallel to the press release, civil society representatives and Indigenous Peoples distributed postcards with chocolate gold coins asking, “What is the true price of gold?” The card cited data from the International Labour Organisation stating that in Africa, children under the age of 18 may constitute up to 30%-50% of the entire small-scale gold mining workforce.