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From January 20 to 24, 2014, the GEF Chemicals team, had a retreat with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Convention Secretariat, the Interim Secretariat for the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Secretariat in Glion/Montreux, Switzerland. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) joined the meetings as well.
The overall goal of the retreat was to improve coordination between the GEF and the Chemicals Conventions that it serves and to develop a joint work plan. The retreat also had the objective of supporting the synergies process ongoing within the chemicals and waste agenda.
Retreat Highlights:
During the retreat with the BRS Conventions Secretariat, the GEF and the BRS Conventions Secretariat decided to organize a joint meeting of the Regional Centers under the Conventions and GEF Implementing Agencies to strengthen knowledge of the Regional Centers on GEF procedures and how to access GEF funding. The two Secretariats also agreed to enhance the GEF project review process with regular input from the BRS Conventions Secretariat.
The retreat with the Interim Secretariat for the Minamata Convention on Mercury focused mainly on actions necessary to prepare towards the entry into force of the Convention. The two Secretariats agreed to cooperate in producing documents for the GEF Council and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in a timely manner. The two Secretariats will also encourage GEF Implementing Agencies to expedite development and implementation of mercury projects.
During the joint session, participated by the four Secretariats (GEF, BRS, Mercury and SAICM), exchanged views on a project concept to enhance synergies among the Chemicals and Waste Conventions. It was also agreed to explore possibilities to organize a side event or other occasions highlighting the Chemicals and Waste Focal Area during the GEF Assembly in May 2014.
Through the retreat, the GEF had constructive discussions to advance programming for the Chemicals and Waste Focal Area in the rest of GEF-5 and into GEF-6 in response to the Conventions guidance. The next retreat meetings will be hosted by the GEF Secretariat in 2015.