Chemicals management was one of the main technical areas discussed during the 24th Session of the UNEP Governing Council. Several aspects were considered, including illegal traffic, enhanced cooperation and collaboration among the chemicals and waste conventions, the progress on SAICM implementation, and mercury and other heavy metals. Reports in this issue highlight progress on all the issues discussed. The one aspect that, once again, emerged, was the fact that there was a wide consensus about the importance chemicals for development and, consequently, of sound management of chemicals worldwide. Differences in opinion about the most suitable approaches to managing particular chemicals at the international level did not stand in the way of moving the global chemicals agenda forward. The omnibus decision on chemicals management is a vivid example of the commitment around the world to the goal of the Johannesburg plan of implementation “that, by 2020, chemicals should be produced and used in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment”. UNEP’s Chemicals Branch stands ready, in collaboration with partners, to continue to play its role in this respect.