Chemicals and Waste Reports for UNEA 5: An assessment on linkages with other clusters related to chemicals and waste management and options to coordinate and cooperate on areas of common interest

UNEP has been preparing several reports to be presented at the 5^th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5) set to take place on 22-26 February 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya.

These reports provide several facets of the analysis and needs for sound management of chemicals and waste, building on the wealth of knowledge, key findings and messages provided by the Global Chemicals Outlook II (GCO-II).

This assessment paper aims to provide elements for consideration by the intersessional process and for potential incorporation when shaping the future of chemicals and waste management.  

It explores the linkages and options to coordinate and cooperate between chemicals and waste management and seven related clusters, health, biodiversity, world of work, climate change, agriculture and food, human rights and sustainable consumption and production. This work builds upon the linkages identified in the GCO-II and provides a number of options on “how” and on “what” topics opportunities exist to coordinate and cooperate between the chemicals and waste cluster and the other clusters. Acknowledging that cooperation and coordination initiatives are already in place across these clusters and exploring means to further scale up such efforts.

UNEP was invited to prepare this paper during the third meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group for SAICM in 2019.