Why UNIDO supports countries on Minamata Convention on Mercury
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is presently supporting more than 30 countries in activities under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, says Dr Chuma Ezedinma of UNIDO Regional Office, Abuja.
Ezedinma who disclosed this at an awareness raising workshop for media and non-governmental organisation on Minamata Convention on Mercury held in Lagos on Tuesday February 14, 2017, said UNIDO is supporting efforts towards early entry into force of the Convention, assisting Signatory Parties towards pre-ratification of its provisions through the Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) enabling activities framework.
He explained that the organisation activities in Nigeria as contained in the country programme and endorsed by the Federal Government falls under the three UNIDO thematic areas: Advancing economic prosperity; Creating shared prosperity and safeguarding the environment.
“Although Nigeria has demonstrated commitments for reducing anthropogenic emissions and concrete action on mercury at the national level will require specific considerations. UNIDO is presently supporting more than 30 countries in activities under the Minamata Convention. UNIDO will continue to promote the creation of Green Industries and support the Greening of existing industries in Nigeria and in the Sub-region,” he said.
On the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) project, he disclosed that the project was developed to assist Nigeria in identifying its institutional, legislative and sectorial capacity and profile as expected of countries with obligations under the Minamata Convention.
“It has the potentials to set Nigeria in the right path to fulfilling its obligations under the Minamata Convention and place sound chemicals management at the forefront of the Nigeria achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6,9 and 14,” he added.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an environment treaty which was opened for signature in October 2013 and Nigeria became a signatory to it on the 10th of October 2013. The Convention has a phased approach to reduce, and where possible, eliminate mercury use in key industrial sectors.
One hundred and twenty-eight countries have signed the Convention while 38 countries have ratified it. The Convention will enter into force once 50 countries ratified it. The first Conference of Parties to the Minamata Convention is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland from September 24-29, 2017.
