On 21-25 March 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is to host the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-4) – Second Segment.
The Minamata Convention was adopted in 2012 to address methods for protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The convention, with 133 parties, includes measures such as a ban on new mercury mines, the phase-out of mercury use, and the regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining. It also addresses the interim storage and disposal of mercury once it becomes waste.
At the first segment of the meeting in 2021, parties considered time-sensitive items, including the convention's programme of work and budget for 2022-2023.
The second segment of COP-4, or COP-4.2, will be conducted in-person in Bali, Indonesia, and will be preceded by in-person regional preparatory events from 19-20 March 2022.
The tentative schedule of work can be found here.