(Dead Sea, Jordan) At the 7th meeting of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a small group of developed countries opposed prompt creation of guidelines to manage toxic mercury-contaminated sites. Proponents of action expressed concerns over local harm and mercury’s wide ranging impacts as a global pollutant. Fifty-four countries in Africa, 55 countries in Asia-Pacific, and countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America pushed for action. However, the EU blocked consensus on prompt development of guidelines, ensuring years of delay and continuing mercury pollution.
The seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC7) for the international Mercury Treaty is underway in the Dead Sea, Jordan. After holding a side event focusing on mercury-contaminated site identification, characterization and remediation at the beginning of the week, IPEN is continuing to participate by presenting interventions during plenary, attending contact groups on technical, financial and reporting issues, and meeting with delegates and other colleagues.
