Australia
Australia is actively engaged in a range of United Nations chemical multilateral
agreements, including as a Party to the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and
Waigani Conventions, and the Montreal Protocol, and fully supports the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). A
common objective of these agreements is to improve the management of
chemicals, particularly in developing countries.
Australia has been working to assist in reaching this objective, particularly in
the South Pacific region. Between 2001 and 2009 as a part of our efforts
under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Australia
has worked in partnership with twelve countries in the region to collect a range
of hazardous chemicals and ensure their environmentally sound disposal. We
have also worked through SAICM with Pacific Island countries to improve their
chemicals management and to assist their participation in the second
International Conference on Chemicals Management in May 2009. Our
experience from these initiatives is that regional partnerships are a key
opportunity to enhance practical implementation. Key factors addressed
through partnerships may include:
? Education;
? Information exchange;
? Capacity building; and
? Identification of relevant best practice approaches (including regulatory
and governance activities
Regional partnerships delivering practical cooperation based around these
factors will assist implementation of chemical management regimes.
The Secretary-General?s review of chemicals work is a valuable starting point.
Australia suggests that, in developing a CSD chemicals program of work, care
should be taken not to duplicate existing activities but rather seek the greatest
synergy possible with other agreements and programs.
agreements, including as a Party to the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and
Waigani Conventions, and the Montreal Protocol, and fully supports the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). A
common objective of these agreements is to improve the management of
chemicals, particularly in developing countries.
Australia has been working to assist in reaching this objective, particularly in
the South Pacific region. Between 2001 and 2009 as a part of our efforts
under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Australia
has worked in partnership with twelve countries in the region to collect a range
of hazardous chemicals and ensure their environmentally sound disposal. We
have also worked through SAICM with Pacific Island countries to improve their
chemicals management and to assist their participation in the second
International Conference on Chemicals Management in May 2009. Our
experience from these initiatives is that regional partnerships are a key
opportunity to enhance practical implementation. Key factors addressed
through partnerships may include:
? Education;
? Information exchange;
? Capacity building; and
? Identification of relevant best practice approaches (including regulatory
and governance activities
Regional partnerships delivering practical cooperation based around these
factors will assist implementation of chemical management regimes.
The Secretary-General?s review of chemicals work is a valuable starting point.
Australia suggests that, in developing a CSD chemicals program of work, care
should be taken not to duplicate existing activities but rather seek the greatest
synergy possible with other agreements and programs.
Stakeholders