UN Economic and Social Development
Division for Sustainable Development

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Seminar Details

• Introduction
• Invitation/Agenda
• Panel Presentations
• Videos
• Chair’s Summary (Advance Unedited Text)
• CSD-18 Thematic Seminar Series

CSD-18 Thematic Seminar Series: Chemicals

23 February 2010 (10:00 am until 1:00 pm)
New York, USA, UNHQ - Conference Room 2 (TNLB)

Seminar Series

The CSD Secretariat launched a new and innovative Thematic Seminar Series which presents scientific and technical information on the issues under review by the Commission on Sustainable Development at its 18th and 19th sessions. Read more about the series.

Chemicals - Topic Overview

Chemicals are essential in meeting the social and economic goals of the world. With total output of over $3 trillion in 2008, the chemical industry provides employment for 7 million people and supports 20 million additional jobs.

The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation defined the “2020 goal: to achieve that chemicals are managed in ways that minimize adverse effects on human health and the environment”. There has been significant progress against this general commitment, in particular after the adoption of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in 2006 and through implementation of other multilateral mechanisms and legal instruments on chemicals, the most important ones being the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, the Montreal Protocol on the Ozone Layer, and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. However, the implementation of the commitments has been uneven and insufficient globally. Mercury and some emerging issues—nanomaterials, electronic waste, chemicals in products, and lead in paint—may also require attention.

Further details in the letter of invitation.

Participation

All interested representatives from Governments, UN entities, IGOs, NGOs and other Major Groups holding a valid UN grounds pass or representing an accredited organization are welcome to participate.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact:
Tonya Vaturi
Division for Sustainable Development
phone: 212-963-4704
e-mail: vaturi@un.org.