Regional Activities

SAICM regional activities follows the informal regional structure of the United Nations General Assembly comprising the following regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Western Europe and Other Groups.

The International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) decided its resolution I/1 that intersessional work should be promoted through, among other things, regional meetings.

The SAICM Overarching Policy Strategy, in paragraph 26, indicates that the functions of the regional meetings include: 

• To review progress on implementation of the Strategic Approach within the regions; 
• To provide guidance on implementation to all stakeholders at a regional level; 
• To enable technical and strategic discussions and exchange of information to take place. 

Since the adoption of SAICM in February 2006, all regions have had at least one regional meeting and there have also been a number of subregional meetings, generously supported by a number of donor and host Governments. 

Each region has a regional focal point. At their first regional meetings, several regions developed terms of reference to guide the work of their focal points. The African, Central and Eastern European, and Latin American and Caribbean regions have established regional coordination bodies.

2023 IP Co-Chairs virtual briefings on the process for preparing non-papers

Following the discussion held at the ICCM5 Bureau meeting that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22-23 June 2023, and in preparation of the resumed Fourth meeting of the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 to be held in Bonn, Germany from 23 to 24 September 2023, the SAICM Secretariat will organize the IP Co-Chairs virtual briefing. The main objectives of this briefing will be:

• i. To clarify to the participants the process for preparing IP Co-Chairs non-papers to facilitate the achievement of consensus at the resumed Fourth meeting;
• ii. To give an opportunity to indicate outstanding sticking points for participants.

A briefing will be organized for each of the five UN regions and will be open to all stakeholders.

Africa
Online, 13 July 2023 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Geneva time) Video Recording

Asia-Pacific
Online, 14 July 2023 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. (Geneva time) Video Recording

WEOG
Online, 14 July 2023 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Geneva time) Video Recording

Central and Eastern Europe
Online, 14 July 2023 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Geneva time) Video Recording

Latin American and Caribbean
Online, 17 July 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Geneva time) Video Recording

The ICCM5 Bureau at its meeting held on 21 July 2021 agreed to convene regional briefings in early September 2021 with the following objectives:

• To inform the regions on the results of the survey on the design of the future virtual work;
• IP Co-chairs to present a way forward in the intersessional process;
• To give regions the opportunity to provide feedback to the SAICM Secretariat and IP Co-chairs; and
• To give regions the opportunity to discuss their perspectives amongst themselves.

Africa
7 September 2021, 10 am – 12 pm CET (online)

Central and Eastern Europe
7 September 2021, 2 pm – 4 pm CET (online)

Asia Pacific
8 September 2021, 10 am – 12 pm CET (online)

Latin American and Caribbean
8 September 2021, 4pm – 6 pm CET (online)

Meeting Documents

SAICM Regional Briefings Concept Note

Summary of survey responses on stakeholders’ experience of the virtual working group process (revised by 27 August 2021)

Responses to the survey

Elements for discussion on the Intersessional Process moving forward

2018 Workshops back-to-back with Minamata Convention COP-2

Information sessions on the SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 process and its relevance to the Minamata Convention, held back-to-back with the Minamata Convention preparatory regional meetings for the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Asia Pacific
23-25 January 2018, Bangkok, Thailand
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Latin American and Caribbean
29-31 January 2018, Panama City, Panama
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Africa
6-8 February 2018, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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EU-JUSSCANNZ
9 February 2018, Paris, France
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Central and Eastern Europe
19-21 February 2018, Lodz, Poland
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