Chemicals and Waste Issues of Concern: A Summary Analysis of Stakeholders’ Views on Priorities for Further Work and Potential Further International Action

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) at its resumed fifth session requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to seek views from Member States and other stakeholders on priorities for further work, building on existing measures and initiatives, and on potential further international action on the 19 issues discussed in the “Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment” (UNEP 2020). UNEA also requested a summary analysis of the views received for consideration by the Assembly and other international bodies, including the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM). In response, UNEP conducted a consultation process to gather views from Member States and other stakeholders (hereafter jointly referred to as “stakeholders”). This included a call for written inputs and a global consultation meeting, during which close to 200 participants exchanged views.4 The summary analysis of the contributions to this consultation is set out in the following report. A detailed summary for each issue is presented in the annex, which contains valuable information from stakeholders that may be helpful in discussions of further action.