Interventions

Dr. Tadesse Amera, IPEN Co-Chair

Opening Intervention 

Dear Madame President and distinguished delegates,

IPEN is a global network of public interest organizations in more than 125 countries, working together for a toxics-free future for ALL 

We are here to remind you of the widespread harm from toxic chemicals and waste, especially in low-and middle income countries, to ensure that the voices of impacted communities are heard in this global arena 

We have been engaged in SAICM since its very beginning, implementing thousands of activities on the ground. We remain strongly committed to this work moving forward.

The 2020 goal was not met due to lack of funding and insufficient political commitment, and we must act now to prevent more harm.

To be considered successful, we expect ICCM5 to deliver

• True global action on Highly Hazardous Pesticides through the formation of a Global Alliance; Our farmers are the basis for our food security, please, therefore, let us save the lives of our farmers from the harms and the deaths they face as the result of HHPs
• Commitment to continued work on Issues of Concern, both new and already adopted ones
• And finally, a path to mobilization of new adequate and predictable funding to phase the challenges ahead, including a pathway to cover the true costs of the harm caused by toxic chemical production 

Thank you Madame President.

Dr. Sara Brosché, IPEN Science Advisor
Intervention on taking stock of progress

In the interest of time, we will only provide a short statement. 

Since ICCM4, IPEN and our over 600 member organizations have conducted more than 800 activities and projects promoting the sound management of chemicals and waste in low- and middle-income countries.

These activities have addressed most of the Emerging Policy Issues and Issues of Concern and have contributed to strengthening civil society engagement on the ground.

INF 13 that provides case studies on

• Eliminating Lead Paint Globally
• Exposing Threats from Chemicals in Plastics and Plastic Waste
• Electronics, Hazardous Chemicals, and Gender
• Promoting Alternatives to Toxic Pesticides

 We will host a side event Wednesday evening to elaborate this further.

Dr. Tadesse Amera, IPEN Co-Chair
High-Level Statement (Closing Statement)

Thank you, Madame Minister, Distinguished colleagues.

I am the Co-Chair of IPEN, a global network of civil society, public interest organizations in more than 125 countries, working together for a toxics-free future for ALL!

The Dubai high level declaration warned that ”fundamental changes are needed in the way that societies manage chemicals”, noting the growing global production, trade and use of chemicals and increasing burden on developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Then, the global revenues of the chemicals industry were under 3 trillion dollars. In 2030, it is expected to be over three times as high.

It is clear today, 17 years later, that those changes have not been realized. We are now facing an unprecedented chemicals and waste crisis resulting in widespread harm to human health and the environment. Strong, high level political commitment is crucial and urgently needed

We therefore welcome the commitment in the high level declaration to “prevent exposure to harmful chemicals, and phase out the most harmful ones“ and to protect and respect the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as well as accountability, transparency, and access to information.

Africa is not a major producer of chemicals, but suffers the highest cost of continued use of the most harmful chemicals such as highly hazardous pesticides. The production and export of these must stop. This is a fundamental step in protecting present and future generations.

We therefore welcome and endorse the resolution on establishing a Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides to be adopted in the plenary later today.

However, without ambitious financing, any commitment will remain just words. We welcome the progress made at this Conference, and look forward to continued efforts to truly operationalize the polluter pays principle.  

Finally, IPEN would like to thank the SAICM Secretariat and all the participants at ICCM5 for the constructive collaboration during this week. The multisectorial and multistakeholder nature of SAICM is unique, and its strengths have been clear during the work this week.

We commend the progress made and welcome and endorse the agreed text in the draft High Level Declaration.

IPEN remains committed to continue working with you to implement the new framework to achieve a toxics free future for all.

Thank you