IFCS/FSC/08. 14 rev 1
1 July 2008
79th Forum Standing Committee meeting
27 May 2008
FINAL Meeting Report
PARTICIPANTS
Member: Officer/Government/Organization
Participants & Co-workers
President:
Hungary
Dr Z. Szabó
Vice-Presidents:
Africa:
Tanzania
Prof. J. Katima
SAICM Regional Focal
Point
Iran
Mrs A. Olanipekun, Nigeria

M G. Dehghani
Mr N. Heidari

"Co-worker"
Asia & Pacific:
"Co-worker"
"Co-worker"
CEE:
"Co-worker"
"Co-worker"
LAC:
"Co-worker"
SAICM Regional Focal
Point
Slovenia
SAICM Regional Focal
Point
Suriname
Participated




Mr Eisaku Toda , Japan
Dr Marta Ciraj
Mrs Karmen Krajnc
Ms L. Tirchila



Dr J. De Kom

SAICM Regional Focal
Point
Switzerland
Mr G. Entenza, Argentina*

Dr G. Karlaganis**

SAICM Regional Focal
Point
Ms Jane Stratford, United
Kingdom
Past President:
Thailand
Ms P. Silkavuth for
Dr S. Wibulpolprasert

Africa Region:
Burkino Faso
Prof. Abdouraman Bary

Zambia
Mr M. Musenga

China
Ms Wenchao Zang
Ms Hong Zhou

Republic of Korea
Dr Kyung-Hee Choi

Thailand
Mrs W. Tangkeo
Mrs A. Leenanithigul
Dr A. Kongphanich


WEOG:
"Co-worker"
Asia & Pacific:
"Co-worker"
"Co-worker"
* Also participating as alternate for Brazil and Chile
** All agenda items except 4.2.2
Absent



IFCS/FSC/08. 14 rev 1
1 July 2008
CEE:
Belarus
Dr I. Zastenskaya
Latvia
Mr A. Ludborzs

Brazil
Ms M.M. Cerqueira

Chile
Emb. C. Maquieira

Austria
Germany
Dr T. Jakl
Mr M. Wittmann
Mr P. Chemin
Mr F. Besson
Ms M. Luxem
ILO
Dr S. Al-Tuwaijri

IOMC Secretariat
Dr T. Meredith
Ms C. Vickers


Industry
Mr R. Koch, ICCA

Public Interest
Ms S. Rengam, PAN
Mr G. Wiser, CIEL
Labour
Mr B. Erikson, ITUC
Science
Dr L. Corra, ISDE**

Forum VI host:
Senegal
Mr N. Sylla

SAICM Secretariat
UNEP
Dr M. Gubb

Dr J.A. Stober

LAC:
WEOG:
France
"Co-worker"
IOMC
Chair IOCC:
"Co-worker"
NGOs
IFCS Secretariat:









IFCS/FSC/08. 14
28 May 2008
1.0
Opening
The President welcomed participants to the teleconference and introduced the new Asia Pacific regional
representative from Thailand. Dr. Chatri Banchuin, Secretary General, Food and Drug Administration,
Ministry of Public Health has replaced Dr Siriwat Tiptaradol. Mrs. Werawan Tangkeo, Deputy Secretary
General, Food and Drug Administration, will represent Dr Chatri on the Forum Standing Committee
(FSC).
2.0
Adoption of Agenda
The President presented the Proposed Annotated Agenda (IFCS/FSC/08.10) to the (FSC) for its
consideration and adoption. The main focus of the meeting is the continued detailed planning for
Forum VI including a review of the recommendations and selection of recipients for the IFCS Award of
Merit and Special Recognition Award to be presented at Forum VI. The FSC adopted the proposed
agenda, agreeing to take up item 7.0 SAICM implementation update first and item 4.2.2 Awards last.
3.0
Acceptance of the Record of the 78th FSC Meeting
The Draft Record of the 78th FSC Teleconference (IFCS/FSC/08.09) was accepted.
4.0
Forum VI
4.1
Host government arrangements - update
N. Sylla updated the FSC on the arrangements the local organizing committee is making for Forum VI as
the host government. He confirmed that simultaneous interpretation in the 6 UN languages will be
provided for the plenary sessions and that simultaneous interpretation into the relevant UN languages will
be provided for the regional group meetings on Sunday 14 September 2008. Translation into the 6 UN
languages of documents produced during the Forum was also confirmed. The Ministry of Tourism is
negotiating with hotels a special conference rate and the former Club Med, now a private hotel, will be
included among the conference hotels. Transportation to/from conference hotels on arrival and departure
as well as between conference hotels and the conference centre will be provided. The information on
hotels, transportation, visa arrangements and assistance, customs clearance for exhibitors will be made
available on the Government of Senegal Forum VI web site. The web site is online with initial
information and the URL will be provided to the FSC and linked to the IFCS Forum VI web site.
The FSC expressed its appreciation to the Government of Senegal for hosting Forum VI and its generous
contribution to IFCS by financially providing for the necessary arrangements.
4.2
Agenda and programme
4.2.1
Plenary agenda topics
4.2.1.a Nanotechnology and Manufactured Nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges
G. Karlaganis, Switzerland, the lead sponsor for the topic Nanotechnology and Manufactured
Nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges, updated the FSC on the organization of the plenary
programme (IFCS/FSC/WG Nano/ 02 rev 10). He provided an overview of the structure of the plenary
programme and presentations. He noted one change in the programme. R. Tomellini, EC, will not be able
to participate and J. Stratford, UK, has accepted an invitation to present the ongoing and planned work in
the UK on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials. All presenters have now been confirmed.
4.2.1.b Substitution and Alternatives
M. Wittmann, Austria, lead sponsor for the topic Substitution and Alternatives, updated the FSC on the
organization of the plenary programme (IFCS/FSC/WG Substitution-Alternatives/ 04 rev4). All of the
proposed speakers have been invited and most have confirmed participation. There remained difficulties
in securing a speaker from the private sector and he requested members to send him any suggestions they
3
IFCS/FSC/08. 14
28 May 2008
may have for representatives of industries that have implemented substitution programmes. The planning
and work to organize the plenary session is on schedule.
4.2.1.c International transport of lead and cadmium via trade: an international concern?
M. Luxem, Germany, lead sponsor for the topic international transport of lead and cadmium via trade: an
international concern? updated the FSC on the organization of the plenary programme (IFCS/FSC/WG
Lead and cadmium/03 rev 3). She provided an overview of the structure of the plenary programme and
presentations. It will be important in the third part of the session to hear from developing countries and
CITs to learn from everyone's experiences. As for the substitution and alternatives session, obtaining the
participation of a manufacturer or retailer was challenging. The planning and work to organize the
plenary session is on schedule.
4.2.1.d Ecologically based Integrated Pets Management and Integrated Vector Management: key
elements of pesticide risk reduction strategies
N. Heidari, Islamic Republic of Iran, one of the lead sponsors for the topic Ecologically based Integrated
Pest Management and Integrated Vector Management: key elements of pesticide risk reduction strategies
updated the FSC on the organization of the plenary programme (IFCS/FSC WG IVP & IPM/04 rev 3). He
provided an overview of the structure of the plenary programme, presentations and time allotted for
discussion. All invitations to presenters have been sent and confirmation received, some conditional on
travel support being provided, with the exception of a presenter for the pilot project on IPVM in Sri
Lanka. WHO SEARO was assisting with finding an alternate speaker. There are difficulties in finding the
necessary travel support for several speakers and a number of options are being explored. He will be
working with the other lead sponsors to draft possible actions and recommendations. The draft proposal
will be prepared in consultation with the WG. Overall the planning and work to organize the plenary
session is on schedule.
4.2.2
Awards
The President reported on the work and recommendations of the Prize Committee, composed of the
President and Vice Presidents of the Forum. The Prize Committee had carried out its work according to
the process and procedures established by the Forum and FSC. The Committee agreed that the number
of awards should be conservative and the criteria for selection should be adhered to ensuring that the
IFCS awards retain their integrity and established prestige. The Committee reviewed in detail all the
candidates and recommends two Awards of Merit and two Special Recognition Awards be presented at
Forum VI (IFCS/FSC/08.12). The FSC unanimously supported the recommendations of the Prize
Committee.
Noting the excellent and important work being carried out by individuals and organizations in Africa, the
FSC expressed disappointment with the lack of award candidates from the African region. Forum VI
being convened in Africa would offer a special opportunity to pay tribute to their work. Several
participants suggested that the process be re-opened for nominations of candidates from the African
region. The Secretariat recalled that at Forum V the IFCS President paid special tribute to Dr Georg
Karlaganis (Switzerland), Prof Jamidu Katima (Tanzania) and Dr Romeo Quijano (Pesticides Action
Network, Philippines) for their exceptional work and contributions to IFCS efforts. It was proposed and
agreed that one possible way to pay tribute to Africans carry out exceptional work in the region was to
have the IFCS President present a President's prize or tribute to several individual or organizations. The
FSC agreed that the President will meet (via teleconference) with the FSC government representatives
from the African region possible solutions and ways to pay tribute and recognize the excellent work being
done in Africa and report back to the FSC.
4.3
Side Events
The secretariat provided an update on the side events being considered by IFCS participants
(IFCS/FSC/08 INF3 rev 3). Communications have been sent to every sponsor or contact as well as the
FSC asking for confirmations and proposed dates and times. The deadline for submitting a request to
schedule a side event is 15 July 2008. Side events may be scheduled in parallel and the secretariat will
work with sponsors to optimize the scheduling. Information on optional arrangements such as provision
4
IFCS/FSC/08. 14
28 May 2008
of food and beverages and interpretation will be provided as soon as it is available from the local
organizing committee.
5.0
Financial Report
The Secretariat provided an update on the IFCS Twinning Funds and the funding available to support the
participation of presenters in plenary sessions (IFCS/FSC/08.13). She expressed appreciation to Austria,
Germany and Switzerland for providing travel funds for speakers in the respective plenary sessions they
are the lead sponsors for organizing. The estimates presented are a maximum - as proposed by the FSC a
special per diem rate will be established for Forum VI below the UN standard rate and that approximately
20% will be saved on air fares when the flight reservations are actually made. Nonetheless, there is
currently a substantial shortfall in the twining funds - in the order of several hundred thousand dollars that urgently needs to be addressed to ensure adequate participation of developing countries, CITs and
NGOs from all sectors and regions to enable representative discussions and outcomes. FSC members
were urged to contact their constituents and urge governments and organizations to commit resources to
support IFCS as appropriate and within capabilities. Government and NGO recipients will be chosen
following the IFCS guidelines (IFCS/FSC/97.7 rev 2). Anyone requesting funding who proposes a cost
sharing arrangement will be given priority consideration, all other criteria being equal, to facilitate
support to the greatest number of delegates.
K. Kranjc informed the FSC that the Government of Slovenia is planning to make a contribution of
approximately 20 000 € to support the participation of CEE government representatives at Forum VI.
Slovenia, as IFCS VP CEE region, had planned on convening a regional meeting in early September 2008
prior to Forum VI, but in light of the planned SAICM CEE regional meeting 9-10 September 2008, it was
thought a contribution to the IFCS Twinning Fund for CEE countries in lieu of scheduling a CEE IFCS
regional meeting was a better way to contribute. It is hoped that the contribution can be confirmed soon.
The FSC acknowledged with appreciation the planned contribution.
6.0
Time schedule for Forum VI preparations
The FSC reviewed its time schedule for Forum VI preparations (IFCS/FSC/07.16 rev 6). No revisions
were proposed at this time. The schedule will be kept in constant review by the FSC as preparations
progress and updated as necessary.
7.0
SAICM – Implementation update
M. Gubb provided an update on the planning and scheduling of regional meetings and the OELTWG
meeting and provided an update on the status of the QSP. Detailed information is available on the
SAICM web site. A. Olanipekun informed the FSC that at the African SAICM regional meeting in July
2008, a side event is being organized to inform participants on Forum VI. M. Luxem suggested,
supported by P. Chemin, that the agenda for the OELTWG meeting include the outcome of Forum VI on
the substantive plenary topics as an information item; the government of Germany will submit this as a
written request. M. Gubb said that it is possible for additional issues to be included under the emerging
issues agenda item.
8.0
Future Meetings
The following FSC teleconference/meetings are scheduled:
- 16 July 2008 12h00 GMT teleconference
- 14 September 2008 14hoo to 15h00, Dakar, Senegal
9.0
Other business
The FSC agreed to include the following items on the agenda for its next teleconference on 16 July 2008:
- Forum VI session on the future of IFCS - organization of plenary session including presentation
of draft decision document
- Forum VI ad hoc WGs - anticipated WGs and organization of WG meeting schedules
P. Chemin suggested that the FSC in preparation for Forum VI discuss what IFCS has produced and the
financial costs entailed since its establishment, comparing this information to the respective current and
anticipated costs of ICCM & SAICM. It was noted that the IFCS President's report for Forum V - 12
5
IFCS/FSC/08. 14
28 May 2008
years of IFCS - presented much relevant information. The secretariat recalled that the Forum Working
Group on the future of IFCS at its meeting in Bangkok requested the secretariat to update and provide as
Forum VI meeting papers two documents currently available on the IFCS website: "IFCS Brief History
and Overview" and “IFCS Major Activities and Achievements (1994-2006) – Overview”. Links to the
President's reports can be added to the latter. Concerning costs, the WG recognized that to make an
informed decision about the future of IFCS, the Forum should have a sense of the budgetary costs of each
option under its consideration. It requested the IFCS secretariat, the SAICM secretariat and UNEP to
provide this budgetary information in the form of a supplemental paper for Forum VI.
10.0
Closure of the meeting
The President thanked everyone for their participation and continuing contribution to the planning and
organization of Forum VI.
6