Bonn Declaration that aims to prevent exposure, phase out harmful chemicals also adopted
Delegates at a United Nations (UN) Conference in the German city of Bonn adopted a new global framework to reduce environmental risks from chemicals and waste on September 30, 2023.
Countries also committed to phase out the most harmful chemicals at the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management or ICCM5.
The Global Framework on Chemicals sets concrete targets and guidelines across the lifecycle of chemicals, a statement by the UN noted.
“The framework is based around 28 targets, designed to improve responsible management of chemicals and waste. These targets also aim to establish stronger connections with other important global agendas, including climate change, biodiversity, human rights and health,” it added.
National governments committed to formulating policies and regulations in order to reduce chemical pollution by 2030 as well as promoting safer alternatives. Industries also pledged to manage chemicals in order to reduce pollution and its adverse impacts.
The aim of the framework is to phase out lethal agricultural pesticides by 2035.
The Bonn Declaration was also adopted at the summit.
The Declaration aims to “prevent exposure to harmful chemicals, and phase out the most harmful ones, where appropriate, and enhance the safe management of such chemicals where they are needed.”
It also encourages countries to support the transition to circular economies and to develop substitutes for chemicals.
“This approach aims to not only safeguard health and the environment but also reduce waste and enhance recycling efforts,” the UN statement said.
Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, cited figures from the World Health Organization which state that two million people die per year due to direct chemical pollution of the air, land, water and workplace.
“As any athlete will tell you, beating a target is better than meeting a target, so I call on governments, the chemicals industry and everyone involved to go above and beyond what has been agreed to protect people and the planet upon which we all depend,” the statement quoted Andersen as saying.
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By 2035, the framework aims to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed. Photo: iStock.png)
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