The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHS GHS Stocktaking Workshop For Southeast, East and Central Asia September 2010 Beijing, People’s Republic of China Chemicals and Waste Management UNITAR

2 Overview on UNITAR Why is the GHS important UNITAR/ILO GHS Programme Resources Conclusion Outline

Overview on UNITAR

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

5 Overview UNITAR 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

6 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 Overview

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. 8

Why is the GHS important 9

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11 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

12 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) 14

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 15

UNITAR/ILO Partnership Programme

17 UNITAR/ILO activities – National level  Vietnam, Uruguay, Jamaica ( )  Laos, Cambodia ( )  Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand ( )  The Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal ( )  Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zambia ( )

18 UNITAR/ILO – New national activities  Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo ( ) – supported by SAICM QSPTF  PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines ( ) – supported by EU

19 UNITAR/ILO – New national activities  Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo ( ) – supported by SAICM QSPTF  PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines ( ) – supported by EU CEE/CA (2006) China/East and Central Asia (2010) Arab Region (2006) ASEAN ( ) ECOWAS (2008) SADC (2003) South Americ a (2004)

20 UNITAR/ILO Approach GHS Implementation Industrial Workplaces TransportAgriculture Consumer Products Government Business/ Industry Public Interest/ Labour

21 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

24 Resources  Guidance Document on “Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy”  Companion Handbook on “Understanding the GHS”  Website and GHS Capacity Building Library

25 Resources  Training Courses (under development)  Regional Workshops  Annual Reports ( )  WSSD Global GHS Partnership

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27 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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29 Internet Resources  WSSD GHS Partnership: x.htm  UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme:  UNSCEGHS Homepage ml

Conclusion

31  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!