Minamata Convention

The Minamata Convention on Mercury

IPEN is the leading global network in advocating for an end to practices and policies that result in contamination of food, land, water, and air by the toxic metal mercury.

In 2009, nations began discussions on developing a global Convention to address mercury pollution. IPEN was the leading global network calling for an international mercury treaty and has participated in every negotiation since the first meetings towards developing the agreement. The Minamata Convention on Mercury (also called the Mercury Treaty) was finalized in 2013 and came into force in 2017.

IPEN and the Minamata Convention

IPEN members from around the world participate in the Minamata Convention COPs, bringing their original research, local perspectives, and unique contributions to the negotiations.

See IPEN’s work at the latest Minamata Convention Conference of Parties meetings (COPs).

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Gold: The dark truth behind your jewelry

IPEN Co-chair Yuyun Ismawati on German television network DW speaking on mercury and ASGM

Mercury Contaminated Sites

IPEN contributes to the Minamata Convention working groups, including creating guidelines on cleaning up mercury contaminated sites, work that was ultimately incorporated into the Convention’s official guidance. See IPEN members’ studies of mercury hotspots, mercury contamination of the food chain, and other reports.