In Cameroon, plastic bottles, plastic bags, old rubber tyres, end of lives energy saving bulbs, and glass thermometers are frequently and carelessly dumped either on unused land or in water ways, with the risk of transportation to other waterbodies such as lakes or rivers. To eliminate this visual pollution, people living near these spontaneous dumping sites often turn to open burning of waste, with consequences for both ecosystems and human health.
IPEN and affiliates have sent a letter to the SAICM Secretariat expressing concern with the joint International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) – UNEP study entitled “Knowledge management and information sharing for the sound management of chemicals.” The study was sent to SAICM stakeholders for comments to “inform the study.” The IPEN comments cover three areas: 1) important issues that are not part of the study; 2) issues that should be included in the study; and 3) concerns over UNEP’s private sector engagement.
The 2nd meeting of the intersessional process for considering SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 is being held in Sweden from 13 - 15 March, 2018. Numerous IPEN Participating Organization representatives are participating. IPEN has created a "Quick Views" (اللغة العربية, English, español, русский, français) document for the meeting, which highlights IPEN views on SAICM Beyond 2020 issues such as vision, policy principles, objectives and milestones, governance, high-level political commitment and financing.
For details about IPEN's activities at the meeting, please see this page. For more information (including an agenda, other meeting documents and more), see the SAICM website.