24 October 2011: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner hailed the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Basel Convention as its most successful meeting ever, expressing hope that its outcomes could contribute to a successful UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), as hazardous waste management is an important component of a green economy.

COP 10 to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was held from 17-21 October 2011, in Cartagena, Colombia.

Delegates tackled a substantial agenda and adopted decisions on strategic issues, including the new strategic framework and the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative (CLI) to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. COP 10 also adopted 25 decisions on, inter alia: synergies; the budget; legal matters; Basel Convention Regional and Coordinating Centres (BCRCs); capacity building; the Partnership Programme; and technical matters. The decision on the Indonesian-Swiss CLI to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention clarifies the interpretation of Article 17(5) on the entry into force of amendments, and entails that the Ban Amendment will enter into force once 17 additional parties ratify the amendment.

The Cartagena Declaration on prevention and minimization of hazardous wastes was also adopted. With its focus on waste minimization, the Declaration was predicted to alter the focus of the Convention, from the movement of hazardous wastes to their minimization. [IISD RS Coverage of COP 10] [COP10 Website]