Minamata Convention on Mercury

At #ICMGP2024, the #MinamataConvention Secretariat is underlining the need for further engagement and synergies across Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and sectors to fight #mercury and protect #biodiversity. Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention, highlighted the important role of international cooperation in tackling toxic mercury. “I am so grateful that the topic of mercury and biodiversity has been included as a theme in the programme of this conference”, she stated. “Under the Convention on Biological Diversity, a major agreement was recently made by its Parties to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. This Biodiversity Plan is very comprehensive, and many of its targets are directly related to mercury”. Full story 👉 bit.ly/ICMGP2024 #MakeMercuryHistory

Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz at the 16th International Conference On Mercury as a Global Pollutant (#ICMGP2024) in Cape Town, South Africa: "The strong focus of the #MinamataConvention on mercury #emissions sources, including from industries listed in Annex D of the Convention must be central to any effort to address triple planetary crises, including to protect sensitive #ecosystems and their #biodiversity, to protect #climate, and also to ant efforts to protect human #health. The input of this conference will help guide the way forward". Full remarks: https://lnkd.in/dfht3-Rp #MakeMercuryHistory

As mercury scientists worldwide get together in Cape Town for next week's International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant #ICMGP2024, the #MinamataConvention Secretariat organized an expert meeting on #mercury emissions and releases on 18-19 July in the same venue. Co-chaired by Lynwill martin of South Africa and Ronnie Frazer-Williams of Sierra Leone, experts from countries such as Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, and even more participating online, reviewed the trend in the emissions and #releases of mercury. The work will be crucial input to the evaluation of the #effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.   Read more on the intersessional work on effectiveness evaluation ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ddD6h4rs   With the meeting having a highlight on mercury emissions, the Secretariat also invites you to check out a new infographic that explores key facts about mercury #emissions and practices that could be implemented ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dB-zY48K   #MakeMercuryHistory 

With the theme "#LeaveNoOneBehind, Count Everyone", this year #WorldPopulationDay focuses on how #data collection can enable more detailed and timely measurement of people's experiences, and drive the progress of the #SDGs.   📊 The #MinamataConvention Secretariat also values the power of data collection in facilitating the process of #MakeMercuryHistory.   Check out here the Specific International Programme (SIP) dashboard to access key data and relevant information on all approved SIP projects, which better supports the implementation of the Convention and ensures that no Parties are left behind: https://lnkd.in/ddqvT-rA   🔜 With the #application period for the 4th round of the SIP ending in three weeks on 31 July, seize the opportunity to navigate the dashboard and further explore the timeline, guidance and forms to learn how to apply: https://bit.ly/4thSIP #MakeMercuryHistory

📢 Only 3 weeks left to apply for the 4th round of the Specific International Programme (SIP) under the #MinamataConvention. Eligible Parties are encouraged to submit their applications for project #funding, ranging from USD 50,000 to 250,000, aimed at supporting capacity-building and technical assistance in combating toxic #mercury. 👉 Explore the timeline, access the forms and guidance, and watch the video recordings of our webinars in English, French and Spanish to learn how to apply: https://bit.ly/4thSIP 📅 Application deadline: July 31 #MakeMercuryHistory

From June 3 to 5, planetGOLD hosted its flagship knowledge-sharing event, the Global Forum on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (#ASGM), in the Philippines. The forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders to exchange evidence, ideas, and lessons learned from global efforts to improve and professionalize the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector. Participants also sought to build connections that could help eliminate the use of #mercury in gold mining worldwide. Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz emphasized the strength of the programme's knowledge management components, which have enabled the implementation of individual projects in numerous countries across almost all continents. "To me, planetGOLD is an excellent example of how a programme should be designed. I am very grateful for this opportunity and am already looking forward to the next global forum. We now have an excellent model to follow." Recordings of live-streamed sessions, discussion materials, and additional resources from the forum are available on the planetGOLD website: https://lnkd.in/e23dTkaG 📺 Watch the highlights here: https://lnkd.in/dEyyfin3 #MakeMercuryHistory #mercury #gold #ASGM

The #MinamataConvention Secretariat wants to thank all the partners for successfully completing the six-language #MinamataOnline sessions on mercury-added products: PERGSA (Arabic), BCRC China (Chinese), The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions European Environmental Bureau Zero Mercury Working Group (English), BCRC-SCRC Senegal & European Environmental Bureau Zero Mercury Working Group (French), Experts Association PRO MEDIU (Russian), and BCRC Argentina (Spanish).    It was a massive effort with a significant impact.      From 6 June to 3 July the six sessions explored:   ✅ Capacity-building material for controlling mercury-added products   ✅ Information on the recent amendment to the Convention   ✅ Relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties   ✅ Case studies on national strategies      📺 Recordings and presentations in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are available here   https://lnkd.in/djsKCPGZ      To support Parties in addressing mercury-added products, the Secretariat, with financial support from the European Commission and in cooperation with partners, has developed capacity-building material in six UN languages.      Parties and stakeholders are encouraged to download the files and personalize them by adding information on national regulations and practices as appropriate.       ➡️ You can get them here in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish   https://lnkd.in/dknUcEQq      #MakeMercuryHistory  

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is organizing a capacity building webinar on the Minamata Convention and #mercury added products, in partnership with the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden #PERSGA and UNEP West Asia funded by the #EuropeanUnion.  The webinar will be for one hour and will be delivered in #Arabic 📅 3 July 2024 ⏲ 3 pm Beirut Time Register here: http://bit.ly/MO3JULY24

In this issue, you will find out about the Secretariat's recent visit to the #Philippines and its experience with mercury-free #ASGM sites, learn how to apply for #mercury project funding, read about the new Global Environment Facility funding for the Minamata Convention to combat mercury use in ASGM, and access capacity-building material on mercury-added products in six UN languages.

Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz recently visited mercury-free artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sites in Baguio, Benguet, northern Philippines, after the Planet Gold Global Forum (3-5 June 2024). These visits have been enlightening, showcasing the dedication and resilience of miners who sometimes have difficulties accessing finance and getting formalized. Listen firsthand to our Executive Secretary, Monika Stankiewicz, an artisanal gold miner, Leoncio D. Na-Oy, and our expert on ASGM, Richard Gutierrez, discuss the importance of regulatory frameworks and the role of formalization in supporting sustainable and safe mining practices. Minamata Convention Article 7 review, now able to be financed by the new Global Environment Facility enabling activity, is crucial for identifying gaps and improving national action plans to address artisanal and small-scale gold mining. These plans should empower local communities and governments, be practical, adaptable, and build on local knowledge to find suitable solutions. #MakeMercuryHistory #MinamataConvention #mercury #ASGM #mining #PlanetGOLD #Philippines