Geneva international centre for chemical products

Bern, 14.07.2003 - The seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on persistent organic pollutants (POP) will take place in Geneva between 14 - 18 July 2003. During the current session, Switzerland will present the candidature for Geneva to host the permanent seat of the Secretariat of the Convention in Geneva.

The seventh and undoubtedly last session of negotiations before the entry into force of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) will open in Geneva on 14 July 2003. This convention aims to eliminate twelve highly toxic and extremely persistent chemicals around the world. The Swiss parliament backed ratification of the convention at its last session making Switzerland the 34th member.

The Geneva negotiations must set out the necessary conditions for the holding of the first Conference of Parties signatory to the convention, which should take place at Punta del Este in Uruguay in 2005.

In particular, the session will enable the following questions to be debated: what measures must be taken in order to eliminate POPs? How can developing countries be supported financially in this task? What should be done if a country fails to respect the convention? How can national implementation plans be developed?

«A problem of global dimension»

Switzerland wishes to support the extension and consolidation of the international regime governing chemical products and hazardous waste.

«POPs are a problem of global dimension» accepts Philippe Roch, SAEFL Director, in his opening address. That is why Switzerland is involved in these negotiations and is demonstrating its solidarity with countries that do not have the technical and financial means to eliminate these chemical products.

Furthermore, states Philippe Roch, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of new chemical products on the environment and, if need be, add them to the list of POPs. In the interests of the principle of precaution, it is advisable to prohibit the development of new substances that could prove to be hazardous.

Switzerland presents the candidature of Geneva

Geneva, the provisional seat of the Convention on POPs, wishes to be the permanent seat of the Secretariat. Germany and Italy are also candidates. The final decision will be taken in 2005 at the first Conference of Parties. Switzerland is convinced that it can present an excellent candidature: Geneva offers unique opportunities for synergies with institutions that work closely with the convention (WTO, WHO, ILO, UNITAR, secretariats of the PIC and Basel conventions).


Address for enquiries

Further details:
Mr. Philippe Roch
SAEFL Director
Tel. 079 277 51 88

Mr. Georg Karlaganis
Head of the substances, soil and biotechnology division of the SAEFL
Tel. 079 415 99 62



Publisher

Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-8866.html