Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB   English   French Spanish   Archives HTM PDF HTM PDF HTM PDF Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 & Summary

Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety VI: Global Partnership in Chemical Safety Contributing to the 2020 Goal  15-19 September 2008 | Dakar, Senegal   Highlights for Thursday, 18 September 2008 The sixth session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS Forum VI) continued on Thursday morning with a brief plenary session and working groups on nanotechnology and the future of the IFCS. In the afternoon, the plenary discussed integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated vector management (IVM). In the evening, four working groups met to discuss: the future of the IFCS; nanotechonolgy; lead and cadmium; and IPM and IVM. Above photo L-R: IFCS President Zoltán Szabó, Glen Wiser, Center for International Environmental Law Center, and IFCS Vice-President Africa Jamidu Katima, in consultation during a session of the Working Group on the Future of the IFCS.

PLENARY:

The IFCS plenary convened briefly in the morning to hear progress reports from working group chairs. Above photos L-R: The dais during the morning plenary session with IFCS President Zoltán Szabó, Judy Stober, IFCS Executive Secretary, IFCS Vice-President, Latin America and the Caribbean Jules F. M. De Kom  and IFCS Vice-President, Africa Jamidu Katima; view of the morning plenary.

Chair Georg Karlaganis reported on the nanotechnology working group, expressing hope that consensus could be reached after the group’s morning meeting. IFCS Vice-President Jamidu Katima reported on the working group on the future of the IFCS, noting that the group had had very constructive discussions last evening, forming the basis for reaching a consensus today. Chair Michael Wittmann reported that the working group on substitution had finalized the drat recommendations on substitution.

Chair Reiner Arndt reported on the working group on lead and cadmium, noting that wide support exists for the view that that there is significant risks involved in the international transport of lead and cadmium via trade. Ravi Agarwal, Toxics Link, introduced a draft decision on eliminating lead in paints. Judy Stober, IFCS Executive Secretary informed plenary of the revised agenda for the day.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT AND INTEGRATED VECTOR MANAGEMENT:

Romy Quijano PAN AP, facilitated a plenary session on IPM and IVM. Robert Bos, WHO, presented on the characteristics of IVM including: cost-effectiveness; intersectoral action and community involvement; sustainability; regulation and operation; evidence-based decision making; ecosystem analysis; health-based targets; and hierarchical programming. William Settle, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), questioned the assumption that current levels of pesticides are necessary for food security.

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF IPM AND FURTHER POTENTIAL:

Harry van der Wulp, FAO, said IPM reduces pesticide use and should be part of risk reduction strategies. Hasan Bolkan, Campbell ’s Agricultural Research Center, discussed IPM in the food industry. He said IPM is an integral part of his company’s corporate social responsibility programme and highlighted the need to address public concerns over pesticide residues in food, pesticides in the environment, and workers’ safety. Hama Garba, FAO, discussed experiences with regional IPM projects in Western Africa .

STATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF IVM AND FURTHER POTENTIAL:

Robert Bos, WHO, identified malaria as the most important vector-borne disease. He outlined factors affecting global vector distribution and noted climate change as an important consideration for future vector-control programmes. Henk van den Berg, Wageningen University and Research Centre, proposed a framework for decentralized decisionmaking on IVM. V.P. Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology, explained how IVM and IPM have been used to combat malaria in urban settings.

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES:

R.R. Abeyasinghe, National Malaria Control Programme of Sri Lanka, discussed an integrated pest and vector management project in his country. Helen Arromdee and Aurus Jaa (Thailand) Sanou Yacouba, Burkina Faso

WORKING GROUPS:

FUTURE OF THE IFCS:

The working group on the future of the IFCS met in afternoon and evening sessions, as well as in informal consultations throughout the day. Some delegates reiterated the need for a short, convincing and attractive resolution that the ICCM would agree to, particularly given the absence of many countries who would be present at ICCM2. Above photos L-R: Judy Stober, IFCS Executive Secretary, in a conversation with Osvaldo Alvarez, Chile; view of the Working Group session on the future of IFCS.

NANOTECHNOLOGY:

The working group on nanotechnology continued negotiations on the draft Dakar Statement on Manufactured Nanomaterials on Thursday morning. Several delegates raised concerns about proposed language on prevention of workers’ exposure to nanomaterials in cases of scientific uncertainty on risk.

LEAD AND CADMIUM:

The working group reconvened on Thursday evening to consider international transport of lead and cadmium via trade. The group started by debating whether to base discussions on the Chair’s draft text or a shorter text proposed by one developing country. While agreeing on the need to establish a clear link between international trade and the risks posed by lead and cadmium, delegates disagreed on the adequacy of evidence. Discussions continued late into the evening.  Above photos L-R: Lilian Corra, International Society of Doctors for the Environment in a discussion with Mahmood Khwaja, Sustainable Development Policy Institute; view of the Working Group session on Lead and Cadmium.

IPM AND IVM:

Chaired by Romy Quijano, PAN AP, and Nassereddin Heidari, Iran, a small drafting group on IPM and IVM met in the evening to work through the draft recommendations on ecologically based IPM and IVM. Several delegates made comments and proposed revisions to the draft text, and discussions continued late into the evening.

up to top Daily web coverage: 15 September - 16 September - 17 September - 18 September - 19 September

Related Links Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety website Official website of the Government of Senegal for IFCS VI Forum VI: Global Partnerships for Chemical Safety World Health Organization (WHO) UNEP Chemicals UNEP - Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) International Organization for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) International Programme on Chemical Safety UNITAR Chemicals and Waste Management Programme Stockholm Convention (POPs) Rotterdam Convention (PIC) Basel Convention Links to IISD RS Resources IISD RS coverage of the IFCS - V, 25-29 September 2006, Budapest, Hungary IISD RS coverage of the IFCS - IV, 1-7 November 2003, Bangkok, Thailand IISD RS coverage of the IFCS - III, 14-20 October 2000, Salvador, Brazil  IISD RS coverage of the IFCS - II, 10-14 February 1997, Ottawa, Canada IISD RS coverage of meetings on Chemicals Management  Chemicals-L - A mailing list for news on biodiversity and wildlife policy Linkages Update - Bi-weekly international environment and sustainable development news MEA Bulletin - Newsletter on key MEAs and their secretariats CLIMATE-L - News and information on the actions of international organizations in responding to the problem of global climate change Linkages Africa - Fortnightly newsletter reporting on sustainable development events in Africa

Digimarc and the Digimarc logo are registered trademarks of Digimarc Corporation.  The "Digimarc Digital Watermarking" Web Button is a trademark of Digimarc Corporation, used with permission.   Please e-mail the Digital Editor if you have any questions regarding the content of this page. | Back to Linkages home | Visit IISDnet | Send e-mail to ENB | © 2008, IISD. All rights reserved.