The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHSBuilding to implement the GHS

GHS Stocktaking Workshop For Southeast, East and Central GHS Stocktaking Workshop For Southeast, East and Central Asia Asia

15-17 September 201015-17 September 2010

Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaBeijing, People’s Republic of China

Chemicals and Waste ManagementChemicals and Waste ManagementUNITARUNITAR

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Overview on UNITAR

Why is the GHS important

UNITAR/ILO GHS Programme

Resources

Conclusion

OutlineOutline

Overview on UNITAR

4OverviewOverviewUNITAR – “Knowledge to Lead”UNITAR – “Knowledge to Lead”

established in 1965 – autonomous body in the UN system

original focus: UN institutional issues, peace and security issues, and economic and social issues

current training focus around: environment; governance; peace, security and diplomacy; and research

Mission StatementMission Statement

“To deliver innovative training and conduct research on knowledge systems to develop the capacity of beneficiaries.”

5OverviewOverview

UNITAR CWM MissionUNITAR CWM Mission

To provide legal, institutional and technical support to governments and stakeholders to develop sustainable capacity for managing dangerous chemicals and wastes

Project activities take place within the framework of implementing international agreements aimed at protecting human health and the environment, while ensuring sustainable industrial development and facilitating trade of chemicals

Training is the main tool

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Active at national, regional and international levels

Developing countries, transition countries, least developed countries special focus (over 100 countries)

Main focus is the delivery of training/capacity development assistance at the national level, to assist countries to meet the huge number of chemicals-related challenges they face

UNITAR CWM’s work relates directly to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals

OverviewOverview

Why is the GHS important

Purpose of the GHS

To enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication;

To provide a recognized framework for countries without an existing system;

To reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; and

To facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis.

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Why is the GHS important 9

Why is the GHS important 10

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The GHS and International Chemicals Agreements

GHS implementation can play an important role in facilitating implementation of international chemicals management agreements (e.g. Stockholm & Rotterdam Conventions)

Improved capacity for chemical classification and labeling (based on the GHS) can contribute to successfully meeting country obligations under these Conventions

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GHS and SAICM

The importance of implementing the GHS is recognised in the Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS) of SAICM, where implementation of the GHS is identified under the overall objective of “knowledge and information”

GHS also included as a SAICM work area in the Global Plan of Action

International Responsibility on GHS Implementation

International Responsibility for GHS Implementation

United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS established in 2001

Maintain the GHS provisions, update when necessary

Oversee implementation

International focal points established by the Subcommittee

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

International Labor Organization (ILO)

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Context for GHS Capacity Building

• UNITAR/ILO nominated as focal point

Focus on supporting developing and transition countries

Global, Regional, National, Stakeholder activities

Programme Advisory Group (PAG)

WSSD Global GHS Partnership

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UNITAR/ILO Partnership Programme

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UNITAR/ILO activities – National level

Vietnam, Uruguay, Jamaica (2008-09)

Laos, Cambodia (2006-08)

Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand (2005-07)

The Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal (2004-2006)

Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zambia (2001-2003)

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UNITAR/ILO – New national activities

Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo (2010-12) – supported by SAICM QSPTF

PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines (2010-12) – supported by EU

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UNITAR/ILO – New national activities

Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo (2010-12) – supported by SAICM QSPTF

PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines (2010-12) – supported by EU

CEE/CA(2006)

China/East and Central

Asia(2010)

Arab Region(2006)

ASEAN (2005-

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ECOWAS (2008)

SADC (2003)

South Americ

a (2004)

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UNITAR/ILO Approach

GHS Implementation

Industrial Workplaces

Transport AgricultureConsumerProducts

GovernmentBusiness/Industry

Public Interest/Labour

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National Project Outcomes

Multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration

Situation and Gap Analysis

Awareness raising and training

National GHS-implementing legislation

Sectoral implementation plans

High-level endorsement of a National GHS Implementation Strategy (“road map” for future activities)

GHS Worldwide 22

Resources

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Resources

Guidance Document on “Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy”

Companion Handbook on “Understanding the GHS”

Website and GHS Capacity Building Library

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Resources

Training Courses (under development)

Regional Workshops

Annual Reports (2002-2009)

WSSD Global GHS Partnership

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WSSD Global GHS Partnership Launched by UNITAR, ILO, and OECD in 2002

strengthen capacities at all levels and sectors -- in particular in developing countries

“WSSD Partnerships”: to enable all stakeholders to make a concrete contribution to the outcomes of the WSSD

Meetings of the Partners (2003, 2007)

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Internet Resources

WSSD GHS Partnership:

http://www.unitar.org/cwm/ghs_partnership/index.htm

UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme:

http://www.unitar.org/cwm/ghs/index.html

UNSCEGHS Homepage

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html

Conclusion

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There is significant momentum internationally to adopt and implement the GHS.

GHS very helpful framework for developing countries – but challenging to implement!

The 2008 target will not be met, but significant progress has been made in many regions around the world (2008 the starting point?...)

There will be a continuing need to monitor implementation issues as they develop, and ensure they are addressed internationally.

Conclusion

Thank you!Thank you!