International mercury conference

How to reduce mercury supply and demand

Brussels, 26-27 October 2006

Centre de Conférences Albert Borschette – Rue Froissart 36

 

SESSION 0 – OPENING SESSION – SETTING THE STAGE

The International Mercury Conference needs to be positioned within the broader UNEP Framework, the EU’s Mercury Strategy and the current EU environmental initiatives that are taken forward by the Presidency and the Commission.

13.30 - 13.50

Mr. Mogens Peter Carl, Director General, DG Environment, European Commission

Setting the Stage in the light of the EC Mercury Strategy

Ms. Lea Kauppi, Director General, Finnish Environment Institute

Mercury - background for abating mercury pollution

SESSION 1 – WHY DO WE NEED A GLOBAL EFFORT NOW?

Why are global efforts for reduction of demand and supply of mercury needed? What are the adverse health and environmental impacts globally and what are the main sources of the problem? And what do we actually know about the global demand/supply situation for mercury?

Chair/Moderator: Mr. Stefan Scheuer, EU Policy Director, European Environmental Bureau

Mrs. Milena Horvat, Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia

Global cycling and adverse impacts of mercury

Mr. Michael T. Bender, Mercury Policy Project/Zero Mercury Working Group

Key reasons for addressing Mercury now – through globally coordinated action

Mr. Philippe Grandjean, Professor, University of Southern Denmark and Harvard University, USA

Newest research findings on Mercury's health effects

Mr. Liu Chunxin, Environmental Protection, State Environmental Protection Administration, Beijing, Pop. Rep. of China

Mercury - in a Chinese perspective

Mr. Peter Maxson, Director Concorde East/West, Brussels, Belgium

Taking stock on the global demand and supply of mercury

Wrap up Session one Chair: Mr Stefan Scheuer, EU Policy Director, European Environmental Bureau

Conclusions from this session

SESSION 2 – CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES

What are the key challenges and obstacles when addressing mercury? What is the socio-economic significance of mercury for producers, recyclers and suppliers? In particular, what are the challenges in reducing mercury demand and using substitutes in small scale gold mining and other fields in the developing world?

Chair/Moderator: Mr. Julian Oliver, Secretary General, EurActiv

09.10 – 09.20

Mr. Stefan Scheuer, EU Policy Director, European Environmental Bureau

Kevin Telmer Mr. Kevin Telmer, Associate Professor, University of Victoria, Canada, GEF/UNDP/UNIDO Global Mercury Project

Small scale gold mining - magnitude and challenges worldwide

Sérgia de Souza Oliveira Ms.Sérgia de Souza Oliveira, Ministry of the Environment, Brazil

Mercury – in a Brazilian perspective

Satish Sinha Mr. Satish Sinha, Chief Coordinator, Toxics Link, Delhi, India

Challenges and lessons learned on Mercury substitution in India

Jaime Alejandre Martínez Mr. Jaime Alejandre Martínez, Director General of Environmental Quality and Assessment, Ministry of Environment, Madrid, Spain

Expected socio-economic impacts for the Almadén mines

11.15 – 11.35

Mr. Kubanychbek Noruzbaev, Head of Division, Nature Management, Department of Ecology and Nature Kyrgyztan

Social and economic aspects of reductions of mercury mining in Kyrgyztan

Ms. Maria Doa, Director, National Program Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, US Environment Protection Agency Representative

Challenges and ways forward in addressing reduction of demand and supply of mercury worldwide

SESSION 3 – STEPS FORWARD IN REDUCING DEMAND AND SUPPLY

How could reduction of demand and supply of mercury be forwarded globally, in an innovative, socially acceptable, cost-effective and sufficient manner? What is the time-scale to consider? What are the substitution and reduction options and solutions to the socio-economic challenges? And what are the regulatory and management solutions nationally and internationally?

Chair/Moderator: Mr. Timo Makela Director, Sustainable Development & Integration, DG Environment, European Commission

13.45 – 14.00

Mr. Julian Oliver, Secretary General, EurActiv

Main Conclusions and Wrap-up from Session 2

Hylander Mr. Lars Hylander, Associate Professor, Uppsala University, Sweden

Possibilities for substituting and reducing mercury

Mr. Bardolf Paul, Vice Chairman, Susila Dharma International. Implementing NGO for GEF/UNDP/UNIDO’s small scale gold mining project

Ways forward at local level in gold mining communities

Mr. Maged Younes, Director of UNEP Chemicals

Summary of UNEP’s Governing Council considerations and ongoing/planned activities

16.15 – 16.45

Chair: Mr. Timo Makela /DG Environment

Visions for ways forward in global mercury reductions and Conclusions of the conference

Mercury and environment

Mercury is considered a major risk to human health and the environment and is acknowledged as a serious global environmental problem. Mercury emissions into the environment are transported regionally and globally in the atmosphere.

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EU Mercury Strategy

In January 2005, the European Commission presented its Community Mercury Strategy, a comprehensive plan addressing mercury pollution.

Read more…

Global consideration in UNEP

The UNEP Governing Council concluded, at its 22nd session in February 2003, that there is sufficient evidence of significant global adverse impacts from mercury to warrant further international action.

Read more…

 

 

 

 

 

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