In 2006, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), a multi-stakeholder policy framework to promote the rational management of chemicals worldwide. SAICM was conceived as the principal international forum for achieving a key objective set in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development by 2020, chemicals will be used and produced in ways that lead to the minimisation of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment.
With the 2020 deadline in mind, the fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICMC), held in September 2015, launched an intersessional process (IP) to prepare recommendations on the future of SAICM and the rational management of chemicals and wastes beyond 2020 for consideration at the fifth session of the ICMC, originally scheduled for October 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a two-year postponement of the IP and the fifth session of the ICMC, although preparatory work continued in “virtual working groups”.
The fourth meeting of the IP, held in Bucharest, Romania, from 29 August 2 September 2022, produced a “single consolidated document” from the co-chairs containing recommendations for the Fifth International Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM), but with text in square brackets indicating areas where consensus has not yet been reached. The resumed IP4 meeting was tasked with working on this consolidated document in order to provide clear recommendations to the ICFM, which will meet in September 2023. The co-chairs suggested focusing on the objectives;
– mechanisms to support implementation, including capacity-building
– financial considerations and
– programmatic approach, including issues of concern.
The resumed fourth meeting of the intersessional process (IP4) for the review of SAICM was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27 February to 3 March 2023.
The resumed session discussed possible names for the new instrument and preparations for ICMC5. During this session, the African Group also presented the idea of a global alliance to the Asian region and to GRULAC. Many countries are in favour of this idea, but some countries such as Japan, China and India do not support it, citing reasons of food and financial security.
The IP4.2 session in Nairobi did not achieve its objective, which was to reach a clear text for the new framework that the ICCM5 could adopt. Two further days of negotiations (IP4.3) are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday 23 and 24 just before the fifth meeting of the International Conference of Foreign Ministers (CIMA) in Bonn. September, just before the ICCM5 in Bonn.