The Minamata Convention on Mercury has released a report that provides an in-depth overview of the latest developments under the Convention in 2022. The report also identifies challenges that must be overcome to #MakeMercuryHistory.

The Minamata Convention Progress Report 2022 describes progress made in Convention implementation, including the outcomes of the second segment of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP-4.2), such as agreement on amendments to ban the manufacture, import, and export of eight additional mercury-added products, reducing mercury demand, exposure, and waste.

The report highlights the establishment of a scientific group to provide the COP with comparable data on mercury presence and movement in the environment and on trends in mercury levels observed in biotic media and vulnerable populations. It further highlights that over 90% of parties submitted their first full national reports on Convention implementation and underscores the expanding cooperation among the secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). However, the report also acknowledges that more work is required to fully achieve the Convention’s objective, including improving monitoring and reporting on mercury emissions, strengthening developing countries’ capacity to implement the Convention, and increasing public awareness of mercury exposure risks.

The report also discusses, inter alia:

• taking action on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), with respect to National Action Plans, mining practices and investments, human rights, and Indigenous Peoples;
• the Convention’s support for the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF);
• provision of increased funds by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address mercury;
• reviewing the Convention’s financial mechanism;
• defining mercury waste;
• evaluating the Convention’s effectiveness;
• stronger ties with the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant;
• the new science-policy panel to support efforts on mercury and the “Beyond 2020” process on chemicals and waste management;
• knowledge management collaboration through InforMEA;
• gender mainstreaming in the activities of the Secretariat, parties, and other stakeholders; and
• collaboration with the Global Mercury Partnership.

COP-5 will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 October to 3 November 2023 under the presidency of Romania. [Publication: Minamata Convention in 2022:
Progress Report on Activities]