Preparations for the 23rd session of the UNEP Governing Council,
21-25 February 2005

In line with GC decision 22/4 V, the Governing Council will, at its next regular session in 2005 and based on the progress made by countries in reducing mercury releases that impact human health and the environment, consider further measures to deal with the significant global adverse impacts of mercury. At that session, the Governing Council will also consider what further action might be taken with regard to other heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium.

To support these discussions, UNEP was requested by the Governing Council to present the submissions from Governments and other stakeholders and a factual analysis of such submissions and a synthesis of views and options submitted for consideration by the Governing Council at its twenty-third session.  

The relevant Governing Council documents:
UNEP/GC.23/3/Add.1 (including a synthesis of views and options submitted, in 6 UN languages) UNEP/GC.23/INF.19 (including a factual analysis of the submissions, in English only) 
are available on UNEP's website (see Pre-session documents: working documents and Information documents).   
The actual submissions from Governments and other stakeholders can be accessed here.  

In addition, Governments and other stakeholders may wish to take into consideration the document submitted to the Governing Council at its last session, document UNEP/GC.22/2/Add.1 - State of the global environment and contribution of the United Nations Environment Programme to efforts to address environmental challenges: Report of the Executive Director – Addendum: Global Mercury Assessment.

In order to prepare the documents listed above, UNEP sent a communication to Governments and other stakeholders on 23 February 2004 inviting them to: 

·       report on any progress made in the implementation of decision 22/4 V, especially with regards to any goals or national actions taken since the last Governing Council session;

·       provide any views with regard to the need for further measures for addressing the significant global adverse impacts of mercury and its compounds; and 

·       provide any views on what further action might be taken with regard to other heavy metals, for example, lead and cadmium. 

The deadline for response was 1 July 2004.  All responses received (including those received after the deadline) be accessed here.

When submitting a response, Governments and other stakeholders may wish to take into consideration the document submitted to the Governing Council at its last session, document UNEP/GC.22/2/Add.1 - State of the global environment and contribution of the United Nations Environment Programme to efforts to address environmental challenges: Report of the Executive Director – Addendum: Global Mercury Assessment.