Highlighted
World Wetlands Day 2023: "It’s time for wetland restoration"
On February 2, on the occasion of the UN international day, the Minamata Convention highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring wetlands across the world to help end mercury pollution.
UNEP webinar: Sound management and elimination of mercury and mercury waste in the Chlor-Alkali sector
The Minamata Convention sets the deadline for this mercury phase‐out in 2025 and the Partnership Areas of work will host the joint webinar on 16 February 2023 (13:00pm to 15:30pm CET).
UNEP webinar: Scope and functions of the Science-policy panel
On 24 January (14h00- 16h00 CEST) the webinar will provide information on the Panel, from chemicals, waste and pollution prevention to horizon scanning, assessments and information sharing.
Statement: Monika Stankiewicz at COP-15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Remarks by Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention, at the opening plenary in the High-Level Segment of CBD COP-15.
Key facts on the interlinkages between biodiversity and mercury pollution
Pollution from chemicals and wastes is a key driver of biodiversity loss, according to the 2021 exploratory study on biodiversity interlinkages by the secretariats of BRS and Minamata conventions.
Launch of the Indigenous Peoples Platform
Following the conclusions at COP-4, the Platform aims to bring together Indigenous voices to promote the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples to put an end to mercury pollution.
ISLANDS Webinar: Sharing SIDS experiences on the Minamata Convention
On 14 December, Small Island Developing States will share experiences of completing Minamata Initial Assessments and explore key sources of mercury in SIDS.
Algeria becomes the 139th party to the Minamata Convention
On 30 November 2022, Algeria deposited its instrument of ratification successfully, becoming as a result the 139th party to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
About the Minamata Convention
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is the most recent global agreement on environment and health, adopted in 2013. It is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health damage that became known as the "Minamata disease."
Since it entered into force on 16 August 2017, Parties have been working together to control the mercury supply and trade, reduce the use, emission and release of mercury, raise public awareness, and build the necessary institutional capacity to #MakeMercuryHistory