The fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-5), organized by the UN Environment Program UNEP and hosted by Germany, starts on Monday in Bonn.
“ICCM-5 is expected to be a turning point for international cooperation on chemicals and waste,” said a statement from the group of more than 30 experts.
“Once in a generation” opportunity
“It is a unique opportunity to deliver a robust outcome to tackle the global toxic tide.”
They urged conference attendees to be guided by human rights principles, in line with a “post-2020 global policy framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste.”
According to the experts, the threats of infertility, fatal diseases, neurological and other disabilities resulting from exposure to hazardous chemicals and waste reveal the widespread and systematic denial of basic human rights for countless individuals and groups in vulnerable situations.
The experts went on to list people most exposed to these toxic environments, including workers, women and children, the poor and indigenous peoples.
‘Toxification’ must stop
“Humanity cannot afford to further worsen the poisoning of the planet,” the experts added.
“If ICCM-5 is to deliver the ambition and strength needed to overcome the global toxic emergency facing humanity, it must explicitly embrace a human rights-based approach,” the group of UN experts warned.
Special Rapporteurs and other UN experts are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They perform their work on an individual basis and do not receive a salary for their work.