For over two decades, UNIDO has been supporting countries in reducing, and where feasible, eliminate the use of mercury, and more recently in meeting their obligations under the Minamata Convention. UNIDO reaffirms this commitment in light of the second segment of the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury which concluded with significant decisions, and the completion of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) eighth replenishment cycle.
Learn more about UNIDO’s past experience and planned future interventions in the following sections.
Together with you and our partners, we can make mercury history!
UNIDO and mercury: From artisanal gold mining to complex large-scale industrial processes
The Organization first started to support countries in their efforts to reduce mercury use and its negative impact on humans and the environment back in 1994. These first three projects in Ghana, the Philippines and Tanzania, paved the way for more complex and integrated interventions.
In parallel, UNIDO has led various areas of the Global Mercury Partnership since its establishment in 2005 and supported the intergovernmental negotiating committees (INC) that resulted in the adoption of the Minamata Convention.
Towards the end of the INC process, UNIDO began supporting countries to develop Minamata Initial Assessments, facilitating the related ratification processes and preparation of the application of the provisions of the Convention.
UNIDO and mercury timeline
1994: UNIDO begins with its first mercury related projects in Ghana, The Philippines and Tanzania
2002: The Global Mercury Project starts in Brazil, Lao PDR, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe
2005: The Global Mercury Partnership is established. UNIDO co-leads ASGM and chlor-alkali areas
2010: 1st intergovernmental negotiation committee
2011: Start of cleaner ASGM technologies introduction in Colombia
2012: ASGM mercury minimization in Ecuador/Peru and responsible ASGM in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal projects approved
2013: Minamata Convention adopted
2013: First Minamata Initial Assessments, National Action Plans, and Zinc smelting in China projects approved
2017: Entry into force of the Minamata Convention and first Conference of the Parties (COP 1) and VCM China approval
2018: COP 2
2018: First planetGOLD projects approved in Mongolia/Philippines (jointly with UNEP)
2019: planetGOLD Burkina Faso approved
2019: COP 3
2019: Natural resource management project in Colombia approved
2021: COP 4.1
2022: COP 4.2
Since 2013, UNIDO has supported the preparation of Minamata Initial Assessments (MIAs) in 24 countries.
Under Article 7 on artisanal and small-scale gold mining, UNIDO has been supporting countries in preparing National Action Plans (NAPs).
In order to achieve positive and long-lasting impacts for mercury use reduction and elimination, UNIDO supports (i) the introduction of cleaner technologies, (ii) policy strengthening efforts, (iii) the development of conducive regulatory and financial mechanisms, (iv) capacity building and skills development activities, and (v) knowledge management.
UNIDO and GEF8
The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the largest financial mechanism under the Minamata Convention. It is also the major contributor for UNIDO’s interventions focusing on mercury. The GEF recently completed its latest replenishment cycle. The related GEF8 programming directions build on the experience from GEF7, as well as guidance from the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Moreover, GEF8 is also built on the increased awareness and understanding that supply chains are the primary drivers of chemical pollution which have massive impacts on the environment and human health.
In response to the GEF8 programming directions, UNIDO will initiate consultations with the GEF Secretariat and other implementing agencies with the sustained ambition to support Parties in meeting their obligations, in particular through:
Thank you for your trust, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with you!
For more information, please contact us at mercury@unido.org or visit www.unido.org/mercury
Credits:
Created with an image by ake1150 - "Fujiyoshida, Japan at Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji in the spring with cherry blossoms full bloom during sunrise. Japan Landscape and nature travel, or historical building and sightseeing concept." © Artisanal Gold Council © PlanetGOLD Mongolia Project