Latest news with #RotterdamConvention
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
M'sia reaffirms strong waste stance
Nation committed to addressing its movement and disposal, says Nik Nazmi PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has reaffirmed its strong stance on controlling the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs), held from April 28 to May 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad ( pic ). The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said Malaysia's participation in the summits reflected its firm commitment to address the movement and disposal of hazardous waste. 'As a developing nation, Malaysia has consistently been active and vocal in voicing its position at the negotiation table, particularly on the control of hazardous waste and chemical imports into the country. This meeting also served as the first platform for Malaysia to represent Asean's voice – that Asean is not the world's dumping ground for toxic, problematic or hard-to-recycle waste,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. The BRS COPs consist of three key multilateral environmental agreements that govern the management of hazardous chemicals and waste. The Basel Convention focuses on reducing the generation of hazardous waste and regulating its cross-border movement. The Rotterdam Convention oversees international trade in hazardous chemicals, while the Stockholm Convention addresses the control of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Nik Nazmi said he exchanged views with his counterparts from other member states on the impact of poorly regulated hazardous chemicals and waste, particularly in relation to climate change and biodiversity loss. He also held bilateral talks with Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, to explore potential cooperation through a memorandum of understanding in environmental protection and climate change. 'I also held a brief meeting with representatives of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty and the executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, to discuss ways to finalise and implement the Global Plastics Treaty in a fair, effective and practical manner,' he added. Nik Nazmi said Malaysia will continue its collaboration with the Basel Action Network (BAN) and reaffirmed its commitment to combat the illegal import of e-waste and plastic waste, especially from developed countries. 'My discussion with BAN executive director and founder Jim Puckett focused on Malaysia's efforts to intercept and return illegal waste shipments, and the importance of cooperation in information sharing and regional enforcement,' he said. He emphasised the need for Malaysia to maintain an active role at the international level to safeguard national interests in addressing environmental pollution, especially in the control of the movement of hazardous waste and chemical imports. 'Such commitments ensure Malaysia remains focused on key negotiation issues and continues to stay on the right path in protecting both human well-being and the environment,' he said.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia reaffirms firm stand on hazardous waste control at BRS COPs
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has reaffirmed its strong position on controlling the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs), held from April 28 to May 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, in a statement today, said Malaysia's participation reflects its firm commitment to addressing the movement and disposal of hazardous waste. "As a developing nation, Malaysia has consistently been active and vocal in voicing its position at the negotiation table, particularly on the control of hazardous waste and chemical imports into the country. "This meeting also served as the first platform for Malaysia to represent Asean's voice - that Asean is not the world's dumping ground for toxic, problematic, or hard-to-recycle waste," he said. The BRS COPs consist of three key multilateral environmental agreements that govern the management of hazardous chemicals and waste. The Basel Convention focuses on reducing the generation of hazardous waste and regulating its cross-border movement. The Rotterdam Convention oversees international trade in hazardous chemicals, while the Stockholm Convention addresses the control of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Nik Nazmi said he exchanged views with his counterparts from other member states on the impact of poorly regulated hazardous chemicals and waste, particularly in relation to climate change and biodiversity loss. He also held bilateral talks with Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, to explore potential cooperation through a memorandum of understanding in environmental protection and climate change. "I also held a brief meeting with representatives of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty and the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, to discuss ways to finalise and implement the Global Plastics Treaty in a fair, effective, and practical manner," he added. Nik Nazmi said Malaysia will continue its collaboration with the Basel Action Network (BAN) and reaffirmed its commitment to combating the illegal import of e-waste and plastic waste, especially from developed countries. "My discussion with BAN executive director and founder Jim Puckett focused on Malaysia's efforts to intercept and return illegal waste shipments, and the importance of cooperation in information sharing and regional enforcement," he said. He emphasised the need for Malaysia to maintain an active role at the international level to safeguard national interests in addressing environmental pollution, especially in the control of hazardous waste movement and chemical imports. "Such commitments ensure that Malaysia remains focused on key negotiation issues and continues to stay on the right path in protecting both human well-being and the environment," he said.– BERNAMA
Times of Oman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman participates in meetings on Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm conventions
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, being held at Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) until May 9. The meetings will discuss several topics related to the three conventions' relationship to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the establishment of a toxic-free future through sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste. The meetings addressed means of effective implementation of the agreements' provisions through integration among various parties. They also deal with cutting down waste and pollution and achieving economic and social prosperity, in addition to activating the role of the private sector in mitigating environmental impacts by adopting modern technical methods and espousing a scientific approach to production methods. The meeting discussed technical assistance and financial resources, international coordination among parties to the three conventions and memoranda of understanding (moUs) between the United Nations Environment Programme, the Conference of the Parties and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). More than 190 countries are taking part in the meetings, in addition to representatives and observers from international governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
On Earth Day, A New Report Reveals Safer Pest Management Options Beyond Chlorpyrifos
On Earth Day, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for all. As the world prepares for the upcoming Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) meetings in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May, countries have a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership by supporting the global ban on chlorpyrifos, a harmful pesticide that threatens human health and the environment. A global assessment by the United Nations has highlighted the urgent need for countries to ban chlorpyrifos and support its listing under Annex A of the Stockholm Convention for global elimination. Chlorpyrifos is also nominated for listing under Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention, which promotes information exchange on hazardous chemicals. According to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC), chlorpyrifos causes "significant adverse human health and environmental effects" and meets the criteria for a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP). A growing list of over 44 countries has already banned or severely restricted chlorpyrifos. Despite global consensus, many countries continue to allow their use on food crops, putting public health and ecosystems at risk. For example, random testing of imported Shine Muscat grapes in Thailand revealed chlorpyrifos residues exceeding legal limits, raising serious food safety concerns. Countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam have already taken action by banning chlorpyrifos. Meanwhile, countries like Malaysia have restricted its use in agriculture but still allow it for public health. However, according to a study by the National Poison Centre (NPC), from 2006 to 2015, pyrethroids accounted for about 85% of poisoning cases linked to household insecticides. Among organophosphate pesticides, chlorpyrifos was the most common cause of poisoning, followed by malathion.1 In response, PANAP has been working with farmers in Southeast Asia to promote agroecology and organic farming as safer alternatives to harmful chemicals. Our new report, Beyond Chlorpyrifos: Transitioning to Safer Pest Management for Key Crops in Southeast Asia, highlights these sustainable solutions. 'Agroecology offers a viable solution to the harmful impacts of pesticides like chlorpyrifos, promoting farming practices that protect human health, the environment, and food security,' said Dinesh Rajendran, Pesticide Programme Officer. Now is the time to act—let's take responsibility for the future of our planet and the wellbeing of our chlorpyrifos is a critical step in realizing that commitment, aligning words with action to protect both people and planet.
