1. Organization of the high-level segment 9-10 May 2013 Geneva, Switzerland Laura Meszaros, Coordinator, High-level Segment, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Briefing for Permanent Missions – 12 April 2013 Ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties in 2013

2. High-level segment to take place on Thursday, 9 May, 3-6 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Consultations: –The joint bureaux of the three conventions agreed to hold a HLS during the COPs and EXCOPs –A small group of bureaux members (from Ecuador, Jordan, Kenya, Serbia, Switzerland and Zambia) worked with the support of the Secretariat on the HLS arrangements, as reflected in document EXCOPS.2/INF/3 –Document was cleared by the COPs Presidents and contains the annotated agenda and a note on the theme for the HLS Theme: Synergies and the implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions at the national, regional and global levels Overall planning

3. Registration 80 ministers (or equivalent rank) have confirmed their participation so far Ministers will be received at the CICG entrance and will enter the venue through a fast VIP line Upon registration, colour-coded identity badges, without a photo, will be provided for ministerial level participants Representatives from permanent missions in Geneva will be able to pick up badges for registered Ministers in advance of the high-level segment (during the COPs meetings)

4. HLS documents UNEP/FAO/CHW/RC/POPS/EXCOPS.2/INF/3 describing the organization and theme of the HLS posted on the meetings website in English, French and Spanish Materials on the organization of the HLS have been sent to participating ministers and deputy ministers (or their equivalent) Materials and additional logistical information are also available online on the meetings website: http://synergies.pops.int/?tabid=2914 http://synergies.pops.int/?tabid=2914 A brief overview of the HLS will also be provided during plenary, the day before the start of the HLS

5. Key events during the HLS Thursday, 9 May 3 p.m. - Opening of the HLS, in CICG plenary (open to all COPs participants) Opening remarks by: –Mrs. Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor, Minister of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Switzerland) –Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme –Mr. José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations –Dr. Naoko Ishii, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Global Environment Facility

6. Key events during the HLS Thursday, 9 May 4 - 6 p.m. - Ministerial roundtables, at Varembé Conference Centre (across the street) –Ministers and deputy ministers (or their equivalent); –Informal round-table discussions focussing on the theme of the high-level segment –Goal: Encourage an open exchange of views and experiences between participants on the joint implementation of the three conventions at the national, regional and global levels

7. Thursday, 9 May (cont.) 4 - 6 p.m. - Ministerial roundtables (cont. ) –A number of roundtables will operate in parallel, participation of ministers based on language preference (no interpretation) –Moderator to facilitate the discussion and guide the roundtable –Note-takers to capture key messages, to be summarized and presented during the plenary session in the morning of Friday, 10 May –Secretariat staff members present at each round table to assist the proceedings –Resource persons from the private sector, NGOs and intergovernmental organizations will be available Key events during the HLS

8. Thursday, 9 May (cont.) 6.30 p.m. - Ministerial photo, at CICG (open to ministers and vice-ministers or equivalent rank) 7 p.m. - Ministerial ceremony on the Ban Amendment and dinner hosted by the Government of Switzerland –At Hotel Intercontinental Geneva –Transport will be organized

9. Key events during the HLS Friday, 10 May 10 a.m. - Presentation of key messages, in CICG –Consolidated summary of key messages emerging from the roundtable discussions –Moderated ministerial discussion of the outcomes of the roundtables 1 p.m. - Closure of the high-level segment in CICG

10. Thank you! Meetings’ website: http://synergies.pops.int/?tabid=2914 10