GRULAC Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 2017 Conference of Parties

The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions have as a common objective, the protection of human and environmental health from hazardous wastes and chemicals. Countries that have signed on to these Conventions, otherwise known as Parties, meet biennially at Meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COPs) to monitor and advance the implementation of the respective Conventions. In light of the challenges faced by many Parties in preparation for these back-to back Meetings, the Secretariat of the BRS organized regional meetings to facilitate the regional preparatory process.

In this regard, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 2017 Conference of the Parties was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 28-30 March, 2017. The interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention took advantage of the opportunity and hosted a Working Session to Address Regional Specific Issues related to Ratification and Early Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the 27 and 31 March, 2017.

Trinidad and Tobago was represented at these two Meetings by Ms. Keima Gardiner, Waste Management Specialist, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development and Mr. Hasmath Ali, Registrar, Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals, Ministry of Health.

The key objective of the Regional Preparatory Meeting was to provide Parties of the three Conventions in the region, with a prime opportunity for consultation with each other prior to the 2017 Meetings of the BRS COPs, identify regional priorities and challenges, review meeting documents and discuss substantive matters.  The three day session of the Regional Preparatory Meeting commenced with a formal Opening and Introductory Remarks, after which discussions on Joint BRS issues commenced. On the second day, deliberations ensued on the Stockholm and Basel Conventions. The last day was devoted to Rotterdam Convention issues, along with a presentation by the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention after the lunch break, before the formal closure of the Meeting.

Trinidad and Tobago’s participation provided the country with the opportunity to contribute to the proposals and actively influence the key recommendations that will be presented by GRULAC at the 2017 Meetings of the BRS COPs. In particular, those that relate to regional initiatives, strategic issues, financial and technical support, fostering partnerships for ensuring that hazardous wastes are managed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner and discussing matters as it relates to guidance on the operations of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for the Caribbean.