The Governing Council,
Recalling the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development8 and
internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals,
Recalling also its decisions 18/12 of 26 May 1995, 19/13 of 7 February 1997, 20/23 of
4 February 1999, SS.VII/3 of 15 February 2002, 22/4 of 7 February 2003, 23/9 of 25 February 2005,
SS.IX/1 of 9 February 2006, 24/3 of 9 February 2007 and 25/5 of 20 February 2009 concerning global
policies related to chemicals management and the development of a strategic approach to international
chemicals management,
Recalling further its decisions 24/5 of 9 February 2007 and 25/8 of 20 February 2009 on waste
management,
Acknowledging the widespread concern over the serious adverse effects of hazardous
substances and wastes on human health and the environment,
Noting that work on chemicals and waste management will be carried out as part of the
programme of work of the United Nations Environment Programme, particularly the subprogrammes
on harmful substances and hazardous wastes and on resource efficiency,
Recognizing the need to take into consideration countries’ differing circumstances,
developmental priorities and capacities, including technical and financial capabilities,
Confirming that waste management poses a serious challenge, especially for developing
countries and countries with economies in transition, and stressing the need for international
organizations to undertake enhanced, more focused and coordinated actions to fill current gaps in the
support given to efforts by developing countries,
Noting the significance of partnerships underpinned by conclusive scientific evidence,
Mindful of the work under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, in addition to the Strategic Approach to International
Chemicals Management and the intergovernmental negotiating committee to prepare a global legally
binding instrument on mercury,
Aware of the need to ensure coherence and complementarity and avoid duplication of
activities,
Mindful of the concern of African countries regarding the continued export of products and
wastes containing hazardous substances to those countries,
Taking into account that most of the vulnerable populations exposed to hazardous substances
live in developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
Acknowledging with appreciation the response of the Joint Environment Unit of the
United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs to the deaths of children from lead poisoning in Nigeria and other countries,
Having considered the reports of the Executive Director on chemicals and waste management,