IFCS/FSC/07.26
76h Forum Standing Committee Meeting
25 September 2007
MEETING REPORT
PARTICIPANTS
Member:
Officer/Government/Organization
Participants & Co-workers
Participated
President:
Hungary
Dr Z. Szabó

Vice-Presidents:
Africa:
Tanzania
Prof. J. Katima

SAICM Regional
Focal Point
Iran
Mrs A. Olanipekun, Nigeria

M G. Dehghani represented by
Mr N. Heidari

"Co-worker"
Asia & Pacific:
"Co-worker"
CEE:
"Co-worker"
LAC:
"Co-worker"
WEOG:
"Co-worker"
Past President:
Africa Region:
Asia & Pacific:
CEE:
LAC:
Absent

SAICM Regional
Focal Point
Slovenia
Mr Eisaku Toda , Japan

Dr Marta Ciraj

SAICM Regional
Focal Point
Suriname
Ms R.E. Morohoi, Romania

Dr J. De Kom

SAICM Regional
Focal Point
Switzerland
Mr G. Entenza, Argentina
*
SAICM Regional
Focal Point
Ms Jane Stratford, United Kingdom
Thailand
Dr S. Wibulpolprasert represented by
Ms P. Silkavuth

Burkino Faso
Prof. Abdouraman Bary

Zambia
Mr M. Musenga

China
Ms Yu-Fei

Republic of
Korea
Dr Kyung-Hee Choi

Dr G. Karlaganis



Dr S. Tiptarodol

Thailand
Belarus
Dr I. Zastenskaya

Latvia
Mr A. Ludborzs

Brazil
Ms M.M. Cerqueira

Chile
Mr Cristian Maquieira

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IFCS/FSC/07.26
Austria

Dr T. Jakl represented by
Ms B. Perthen-Palmisano

Germany
Ms M. Luxem

Interim Chair IOCC:
OECD
Dr R. Visser

"Co-worker"
IOMC Secretariat
Dr T. Meredith
Ms C. Vickers
WEOG:
IOMC
NGOs
Industry
Mr R. Koch, ICCA

Public Interest
Dr R.F. Quijano, PAN
Mr G. Wiser, CIEL


Labour
Mr B. Erikson, ITUC

Science
Dr L. Corra, ISDE

Senegal
Mr N. Sylla

SAICM
Secretariat
Dr M. Gubb

Dr J.A. Stober

"Co-worker"
Observers
IFCS Secretariat:


* Unable to be connected due to technical problem
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IFCS/FSC/07.26
1. Opening
The President welcomed participants stating that the main focus of the meeting was to
continue the detailed planning for Forum VI.
2. Acceptance of Agenda
The Proposed Agenda (IFCS/FSC/07.24) was adopted.
3. Acceptance of the Record of the 75th FSC Meeting
The revised Draft Record of the 75th FSC Meeting (IFCS/FSC/07.22 rev 1) incorporating
suggested revisions submitted by several members was accepted.
4. Forum VI
4.1
Venue/host
The secretariat introduced the agenda item providing background information on the request
for the FSC to reconsider its decision on the venue for Forum VI. The request with supporting
information had been sent to the FSC via email on 20 August 2007 and is described in the
annotated meeting agenda. The correspondence between the secretariat and Government of
Senegal is presented in a meeting document (IFCSD/FSC/07.23). The IFCS secretariat
received a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senegal, dated 13 August 2007,
confirming the agreement of the Government of Senegal to host the sixth session of the
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (Forum VI) in Senegal in September 2008 at
the Meridien President in Dakar and providing a guarantee of the financial and technical
resources to satisfy the criteria set forth in the IFCS document Hosting Meetings of the Forum
Guidelines and Criteria for Selection of Hosts (IFCS/FORUM-IV/16w, Annex 10) as further
elaborated in Hosting Meetings of the Forum Organizational and Local Arrangements
Responsibilities of Host Government based on a draft budget totalling 788 260 USD. It is
further understood that, if necessary, the Government of Senegal will increase the existing
budget to cover all the expenditure entailed to organize the meeting. The secretariat agreed to
request the FSC to consider the additional information provided by the Government of
Senegal in its letter dated 13 August 2007 and to reconsider the FSC decision on the host and
venue of Forum VI at its next meeting/teleconference to be held 25 September 2007. Mr Sylla
has informed the secretariat that he can provide additional supporting information to the FSC
based on experience hosting other international meetings and, for example, recent
correspondence with the Meridien President hotel conference facility.
Mr Sylla confirmed that the government of Senegal could meet all the specified requirements
to host the meeting. He stated that the 13 August 2007 letter provided the necessary financial
guarantees and the budget had been agreed in the finance departments of the ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Environment, but that the government continues to seek financial
sponsors. He explained that the original letter dated 31 July 2007 did not include the required
detailed information and commitments as it was not customary for correspondence from the
Minister of Foreign Affairs to include such information.
FSC members expressed appreciation to the Government of Senegal for its generous offer.
Several members proposed in light of the new information to designate Senegal as the host
country for Forum VI and for Senegal to make the detailed arrangements in consultation with
the FSC to ensure that all criteria were met. Members noted that the organization of Forum VI
could profit from the experience of organizing the Stockholm Convention COP3 at the same
venue.
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IFCS/FSC/07.26
N. Heidari expressed the view that Senegal should have priority for hosting Forum VI, but it
would be beneficial to have more information before taking a final decision. Guidance could
be sought from the Stockholm Convention secretariat. He proposed that the FSC request
Senegal to provide more information and a decision be taken at the FSC face to face meeting
in February 2008.
In response to questions, the secretariat stated that while the detailed information required for
formal proposals was not yet available, the required financial guarantee had been received.
The WHO financial and legal offices had agreed that the letter of 13 August 2007 offered the
necessary financial commitment. The secretariat offered to work with the Government of
Senegal to prepare a Forum VI organizational and local arrangements document specifying
the details according to the IFCS criteria. It was the secretariat’s view that sufficient
information had been received to allow the FSC to take a decision. The FSC meeting in
February 2008 would be too late to take a decision on the venue for Forum VI scheduled to be
held in September 2008 as sufficient time would not be available for either the secretariat or
the host country to adequately prepare for the meeting.
The FSC agreed to accept the generous offer of the Government of Senegal to host Forum VI
in Dakar with the understanding that a detailed local arrangements document covering all the
IFCS requirements would be prepared and presented to the FSC for consultation at its next
teleconference. As necessary further discussions on the detailed arrangements would be
undertaken at the FSC February 2008 meeting. It was agreed that the FSC will be kept
informed on an ongoing basis on the host government’s organizational arrangements. The
FSC requested the secretariat to consult with the Stockholm Convention secretariat to learn
from its recent experiences in organizing COP3 in Dakar.
4.2
Plenary agenda topics
4.2.1
Ecologically sound and integrated pest and vector management
N. Heidari apologized for not being able to make much progress since the FSC meeting in
June. He had only recently been able to identify an individual in Iran with expertise in both
IVM & IPM to meet the expanded scope of the session. Prof. Ladonni from Tehran
University has agreed to work with them to prepare the session. He said they will begin
work directly with R. Quijano and the WG to have information available for the FSC
teleconference in December. He informed the FSC that with the exception of WHO, no
additional comments had been received from FSC members following the June meeting. R.
Quijano extended his apologies for the delay and informed the FSC that his PAN AP
colleagues will take the lead and the sessions presentations on IPM will focus on case studies.
L. Corra suggested that the session build on the substantive amount of work already
undertaken and focus on lessons learned to overcome challenges and find practical solutions
to enable implementation.
4.2.2
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges
G. Karlaganis said that initial drafts of the plenary programme and thought starter (TS) paper
for Forum VI had been distributed to the WG for review and input. Information was requested
from a number of countries for the TS on their approach to the area and proposals for
presenters actively working in the area from developing countries were needed. He said the
WG was meeting its time schedule for completing its work.
4.2.3
Substitution/alternatives
B. Perthen-Palmisano updated the FSC on the work undertaken since the FSC meeting in June.
A draft TS paper has been distributed to the WG for input with a requested for proposals for
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IFCS/FSC/07.26
presenters for the proposed topics. A case studies/examples and tools web site has been
established to compile supplemental information to support the session. She encouraged input
from FSC members. The WG is on schedule for completing its work.
4.2.4
Lead & cadmium: need for international action?
M. Luxem said a communication providing further information on the focus of the session
had been sent to the WG in July and is posted on the WG web site. A draft programme for the
plenary session will be sent to the WG for input within a week and by mid October the initial
draft of an information paper would be distributed for review and input. The WG is on
schedule to complete its work on time.
4.3
Opening session - Keynote speakers
The President reviewed the list of proposed keynote speakers and invited those making
proposals to update the FSC on their informal enquiries to ascertain interest and availability.
He also invited additional ideas and proposals.
M. Musenga contacted the office of the First lady of Zambia and will meet with her in mid
October to find out more about her work on children's environmental health. He will provide
information as soon as possible. He is working with the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
to approach the African Ministers he proposed and will keep the FSC informed.
G. Karlaganis withdrew his proposal for Prof Wangari, Minister of Environment, Kenya.
From previous experience he understood her schedule was very full and had thought if Forum
VI was in Nairobi it may be possible for her to attend the opening session.
To follow up on the discussion of linkages at the FSC meeting in June, L. Corra proposed to
invite a keynote speaker who could address the Forum on the topic of climate change and
chemicals management. She suggested Dr Prof Jonathan Patz leading member of the IPCC
subcommittee on climate change and human health. Dr Patz initiated the climate change and
human health work at WHO, previously worked for USEPA in its climate change programme
and is currently a professor at the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment,
University of Wisconsin.
The President requested FSC members to continue their informal enquiries to potential
keynote speakers and report back to the FSC at its next teleconference. A final decision on
key note speakers will be taken no later than the FSC meeting in February.
5. Financial Report – Status report
The secretariat updated the FSC on fund raising efforts. The secretariat worked with public
interest, science and labour NGOs to send letters requesting symbolic contributions as at
Forum V to show strong support for IFCS and encourage government contributions. A
number of initial pledges had been received from individuals and organizations. Funding
request letters were sent to governments in early September. The request letters included the
Forum VI agenda and asked governments to contribute within their capabilities to make a
clear statement of support for IFCS and its value added. Governments may designate funds to
support the preparation of a specific topic for Forum VI for example in the case where funds
may be available from specified budgets. In response to the funding request, Trinidad &
Tobago will try to pay the travel support for its participant to Forum VI as a contribution in
addition to its annual Trust Fund donation and the Federal Office of the Environment,
Switzerland reviewed funds remaining in various budget areas and will be able to make a
special donation of 200 000 CHF to support travel expenses for the FSC meeting in Bangkok
and the preparation of Forum VI.
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IFCS/FSC/07.26
M. Mussenga. said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zambia had indicated a willingness to
contribute and he hoped that he would have positive information soon. M. Luxem informed
the FSC she will discuss the request with EU members at a coordinators meeting on 2 October.
6. SAICM Implementation & ICCM2 planning - update
M. Gubb informed the FSC on the two consultation documents prepared by the SAICM
secretariat to support the planning for ICCM2 and the OELTWG. The documents are
available on the SAICM website and the deadline for submitting comments is 28 February
2008. The ICCM2 proposed agenda includes IFCS reporting on its work to contribute to the
implementation of SAICM and, if Forum VI so decides, a resolution on the future of IFCS.
The secretariat referred to meeting document IFCS/FSC/07 INF 2 which contained copies of
email correspondence between the secretariat and the SAICM secretariat. In addition to
submitting the Final Meeting Reports of Forum V and Forum VI, the IFCS secretariat has
been requested to prepare a separate paper summarizing IFCS 2006 to 2009 activities that
have contributed to the implementation of SAICM highlighting for each the relevance to
SAICM OPS and GPA. The paper will be prepared in consultation with the FSC.
7. Other business
G. Karlaganis in his capacity as IFCS WEOG VP informed the FSC that he has sent an email
to WEOG NFPs informing on the progress of the preparations for Forum VI and the US
government withdrawal from the FSC. He thought it would be desirable if another WEOG
country would replace the US as regional representative in the FSC through the process of
selecting an alternate. He invited nominates for an alternate as to date neither the US
government nor other WEOG members on the FSC had designated alternates. M. Luxem and
B. Perthen-Palmisano expressed agreement and suggested that the alternate be from a
JUSSCANNZ country as Germany and Austria were already members of the FSC. G.
Karlaganis will keep the FSC informed.
8. Future Meetings
The secretariat reminded members that the next scheduled meetings are a teleconference on
11 December 2007 followed by face to face meeting Bangkok (26-28 Feb 2008 FSC, 29 Feb
2008 WG future). She asked if the FSC foresaw a need for an additional teleconference before
the face-to-face meeting. The FSC did not see a need for an additional teleconference in late
January or early February; all work will be handled via email communications.
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