UNEP Chemicals, in response to decision GC24/3 IV taken at the 24th Session of the UNEP Governing Council (GC) that called for the development of an overarching policy framework for the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, will convene the first Open-ended Working Group on Mercury (OEWG) from 12-16 November 2007, in Bangkok, Thailand. As called for in Decision GC24/3 IV, the OEWG will consist of representatives from governments, regional economic integration organizations and stakeholder representatives and will review and assess options for enhanced voluntary measures and new or existing international legal instruments on mercury. The Decision calls for an overarching framework for collaborative actions and the existing partnerships in artisan and small scale mining, coal combustion, the chlor-alkali sector, mercury containing products and air transport and fate research.  

dates: 12-16 November 2007   location: Bangkok, Thailand   phone: 41 22 917 81 11   fax: 41 22 797 34 60   e-mail: chemicals@unep.ch   www: http://enb.iisd.org/chemical/merc1/