The IOMC participated at the 5th session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in Bonn, Germany, from 25-29 September 2023, which adopted a new Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) and the Bonn Declaration.
Key outcomes from this meeting for the IOMC include:
- an invitation to collaborate with stakeholders to develop implementation programmes for the new framework by the next conference in 2026 and encouragement to engage in inter-sessional activities, including the IOMC offer of financial support as possible co-funding to quickly initiate activities for this new component
- the request to IOMC to continue to promote broad engagement and coordination of the policies, work programmes, and activities of relevant intergovernmental organizations
- to report on progress with the existing Emerging Policy Issues (EPIs) and other issues of concern at the next conference in 2026
- acknowledgement of the IOMC offer to lead the work of the open-ended ad hoc group on measurability and indicators
- establishment of the Global Alliance on HHPs and request to FAO, UNEP, WHO, UNDP, and the ILO to coordinate its work
- the invitation to relevant IOMC organizations to update the existing costs of inaction report
- an invitation to IOMC to provide technical assistance for the development of project proposals upon request by countries submitting applications for capacity-building support to the Global Framework on Chemicals Programme.
At the ICCM-5 High Level Segment on Thursday 28 September, senior representatives of IOMC Participating Organizations provided reflections of their organizations regarding the proposed new instrument and actions needed moving forward.
IOMC participating organizations also organized or engaged in a number of side-events, including on:
- Advancing chemicals and waste management in economic and industry sectors along value chains
- The right to a safe and healthy working environment: integrating Beyond 2020 priorities for sound chemicals management
- Supporting effective implementation of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
- WHO Chemical Road Map: poisons centres saving lives and health sector costs
- A World Free of Lead Poisoning: How Do We Get There?
- Achieving circularity through efficient and safe chemicals and waste management
- Building the Future: Chemicals and Innovation in Construction and Electronics
- Health care sector advancing chemicals and waste management along value chains
- Managing Chemicals and Pollution: The economic costs of failure, and what can be done about it? With recent examples from Lead, Cadmium, Asbestos and Nitrogen.
The IOMC looks forward to playing a key and active role in early and on-going implementation of the new Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC).
