National Focal Points
The SAICM Overarching Policy Strategy, in paragraph 23, provides that “To sustain an integrated approach to managing chemicals, each Government should establish arrangements for implementing the Strategic Approach on an inter-ministerial or inter-institutional basis, so that all concerned national departmental and stakeholder interests are represented and all relevant substantive areas are addressed. To facilitate communication, nationally and internationally, each Government should designate a Strategic Approach national focal point to act as an effective conduit for communication on Strategic Approach matters, including invitations to participate in meetings and information dissemination. The Strategic Approach national focal point should be a representative of the country’s inter-ministerial or inter-institutional arrangements, where such arrangements exist.”
Governments, through their Ministries for Foreign Affairs, have thus been invited by the SAICM secretariat to designate a national focal point. Please note that the national SAICM focal point should be nominated officially by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs after consultation among interested Ministries, existing Convention focal points and other stakeholders.
Although the initial deadline for the nomination of a SAICM National Focal Point has now passed, the SAICM secretariat still accepts nominations on an ongoing basis. Governments that have not yet done so are encouraged to nominate a National Focal Point as soon as possible.
Please note that in the event of a change of National Focal Point, Governments should inform the secretariat by submitting a revised official nomination through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible.