27 February 2014: The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) regional meeting of the EU with Japan, the US, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand (JUSSCANNZ) countries convened in Paris, France, on 14 February 2014. Participants discussed the need for SAICM to focus on priority concrete actions in order to demonstrate continuous and credible progress towards the 2020 goal for sound chemicals management.

Participants discussed the SAICM governance model, and noted that the SAICM Overall Orientation and Guidance provides a good opportunity for priority setting. The meeting also discussed planning for the second Open-Ended Working Group of SAICM and the Fourth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 4), highlighting the importance of focusing on achieving the 2020 goal, and also on a post-2020 chemicals and wastes agenda. Participants highlighted the World Health Assembly in May 2014 as an opportunity to encourage the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase its involvement in SAICM.

On financing for SAICM, the meeting acknowledged progress in the financing the sound management of chemicals including through: the Global Environment Facility (GEF); and through the Terms of Reference developed for a Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the national level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the future Minamata Convention and SAICM. [IISD RS Sources] [SAICM Meeting Page]