16 June 2011: A National Forum on Governance and Priority Setting for the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) reviewed progress made to date and provisionally endorsed key documents, including the National SAICM Capacity Assessment and the terms of reference for an interministerial coordination mechanism on chemicals management. The documents were finalized after the workshop.

Held under the framework of a national project for the implementation of the SAICM, and aiming to, inter alia, strengthen national chemicals management, the National Forum took place from from 14-16 June 2011, in Mahe, Seychelles. It was hosted by the Department of Environment of Seychelles, with technical support provided by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and financial support provided by SAICM’s Quick Start Programme Trust Fund.

In addition to the review of progress, the Forum included an Action Plan Skills Building Workshop to prepare for subsequent project activities. UNITAR guided participants through the process of planning and developing action plans, and participants began drafting action plans for two agreed national priority issues: the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; and treatment of chemicals-related and hazardous waste. [UNITAR News Release]