Overview

In February, 2006, the International Conference on Chemicals Management endorsed the Strategic Approach setting the stage for continued assistance to countries to meet the SAICM's 2020 goal of sound chemicals management. UNITAR has adapted its services to countries in order to fully address the outcomes of ICCM.

UNITAR and SAICM Enabling Activities

During the SAICM development process, countries indicated that initial “enabling” activities are a priority. UNITAR offers assistance to countries for a variety of identified enabling activities for SAICM. For more information, please click here.

	Countries/Entities undertaking UNITAR-supported SAICM Implementation Activities

44 Countries/Entities Funded by SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund to Undertake SAICM Enabling Activities with UNITAR Technical Support

At its second meeting, in October 2006, the SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund Implementation Committee met and considered a first round of proposals from countries and NGOs for support. Fifteen countries are now updating their National Profiles, developing a National SAICM Capacity Assessments, and holding National SAICM Priority-Setting Workshops as part of SAICM implementation with UNITAR technical support. At its third meeting, in May 2007, the Implementation Committee selected a further 18 countries/entities to undertake SAICM enabling activities with UNITAR technical support. At the fourth meeting, in October 2007, an additional four countries/entities were selected to undertake SAICM enabling activities with UNITAR technical support. And at the fifth meeting, in April 2008, five countries/entities were selected to undertake SAICM enabling activities with UNITAR technical support. For more information, please click here.

National SAICM Pilot Projects

Belarus, Mongolia, Pakistan, Panama, and Tanzania have been selected to receive assistance from the Government of Switzerland and UNITAR for 3-year Pilot Projects related to SAICM enabling activities.Projects, please click here.

SAICM Application Opportunities

UNITAR stands ready to assist countries with development of proposals for the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund. To-date, some 15 countries have received UNITAR assistance for proposal development. For more information, please click here.

Guidance Materials in Support of SAICM Implementation

To support national SAICM implementation and enabling activities, UNITAR is developing or revising a number of key guidance materials, including:

• Preparing a National Profile to Assess the National Infrastructure for Management of Chemicals
• Developing a National SAICM Capacity Self-Assessment
• Developing and Sustaining an Integrated National Programme for Sound Chemicals Management
• Organizing a National Priority Setting Workshop
• Developing and Implementing Partnership Projects in Support of SAICM and Integrated Chemicals Management
• National Implementation of SAICM: A Guide to Resource, Guidance and Training Materials of IOMC POs (in collaboration with IOMC organizations)

Further information about these materials will be placed on this website as it becomes available.

National Profile Programme Supports SAICM Implementation

To date, over 100 countries have completed or are developing National Chemicals Management Profiles as a basic tool to assist with achieving sound chemicals management. Consistent with the 2020 goal of SAICM and WSSD, UNITAR assists countries to ensure that National Profiles provide a solid first step in SAICM implementation. To visit the National Profile Programme homepage, please click here.

Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in Chemicals Management and National SAICM Implementation

Civil Society are important actors for SAICM implementation. Services are being developed to assist countries to strengthen civil society participation in SAICM. Capacities will be enhanced by providing technical training, supporting the cost of participation, and strengthening skills to develop successful funding proposals, For more information, please click here.

Thematic Workshop on Governance, Civil Society Participation and Strengthening Partnerships for Chemicals and Waste Management and SAICM Implementation

Over 100 persons from a wide and diverse range of governments, NGOs, industry groups, IGOs, labour organizations, and academia participated in the workshop. Sponsors and partners for the event included the Government of Switzerland, OPCW, and organizations collaborating in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC).

The workshop, which was held from 10-21 June 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland, addressed issues related to SAICM governance, and also served as a major preparatory event for the National SAICM Pilot Projects (see above).

For further information (including the final report) please click here.

SAICM Regional Meetings

In late-2006 and 2007, the SAICM Secretariat is convening meetings related to SAICM outcomes and implementation issues in a number of regions.

• A UNITAR side-event entitled “UNITAR Training Methodologies of Relevance to SAICM Enabling Activities” took place at the 11-14 September 2006 Africa Region Meeting. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.
• A UNITAR side-event entitled “UNITAR Training Methodologies of Relevance to SAICM Enabling Activities” took place at the 20-22 November 2006 EU-JUSSCANNZ Countries Meeting. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.
• A UNITAR side-event entitled “UNITAR Training Methodologies of Relevance to SAICM Enabling Activities” took place at the 4-6 December 2006 Central and Eastern Europe Region Meeting. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.
• A UNITAR side-event entitled “UNITAR Training Methodologies of Relevance to SAICM Enabling Activities" took place at the 1-2 April 2007 Arab Countries Meeting. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.
• A UNITAR side-event entitled “Supporting SAICM implementation: Pilot projects, new guidance materials, and related activities” took place at the 21-23 May 2007 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.
• UNITAR attended the EU-JUSSCANNZ Meeting in Paris on 12 June 2007
• UNITAR attended the Pacific Island Workshop in Apia, Samoa, on 8-9 November 2007
• UNITAR attended the EU-JUSSCANNZ countries meeting in Paris on 12 February 2008
• A UNITAR side-event entitled "Supporting SAICM implementation: Pilot projects, new guidance materials, and related activities" took place at the 14-16 February 2008 Latin American and Caribbean region meeting in Panama City. For a copy of the UNITAR presentation at the side-event, please click here.

Please refer back to this page for further updates.

UNITAR/IOMC and SAICM

UNITAR, as a Participating Organisation in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), was a co-convenor of the preparatory committee process leading to the endorsement of SAICM at the International Conference on Chemicals Management. The IOMC played an important role overall in the process, providing input in particular on available resources of IOMC Participating Organisations (POs); input regarding the development of an overall capacity building strategy for SAICM implementation; and proposals for strengthening information exchange on capacity building. To access UNITAR and IOMC documentation related to SAICM development, please click here.

UNITAR Board of Trustees Endorses SAICM

In April, 2006, UNITAR's Board of Trustees officially endorsed SAICM. This will assist with ensuring UNITAR's continued involvement as a partner in the implementation phase of SAICM. For a copy of the endorsement as it appears in the record of the meeting, please click here.