9-11 July 2013, Lomé, Togolese Republic – In the framework of the project “Enabling Activities for the Development of a SAICM Implementation Plan within an Integrated National Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Supporting GHS Capacity Building in the Togolese Republic”,a National Forum on Governance and Priority Setting for SAICM Implementation was held in Lomé from 9 to 11 July 2013 with the participation of UNITAR. The objectives of the workshop were: (i) to raise awareness about the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM); (ii) to review and endorse the National Profile to assess infrastructure and capacity needs for chemicals management; (iii) to review and endorse proposals regarding the strengthening of the national governance structure (including the establishment of an interministerial coordination mechanism, the development of a stakeholder involvement policy, and the establishment of an information exchange mechanism); (iv) to identify national priorities for SAICM implementation; and (v) to discuss next project activities, namely developing a National SAICM Implementation Plan, and related action plans and partnership projects, and undertaking enabling activities for the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). 

Some 35 participants from public and private sectors, civil society, and academia were given presentations and participated in discussion on SAICM and the international context for sound chemicals management as well as on the above listed project activities. The National Forum on Governance for SAICM Implementationwas hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources of the Togolese Republic, with technical support provided by UNITAR, and financial support provided by SAICM’s Quick Start Programme Trust Fund.