Nomination request letter

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

/2

Bonn, Germany 4–6 June 2024

18 March 2024 Original: English

Scope and purpose

Several high-level strategic decisions have been adopted recently to ensure greater protection

of human health and the environment from the negative impacts of hazardous chemicals. They

include the new Global Framework on Chemicals and the Bonn Declaration (2023), World

Health Assembly resolution WHA76.17 on the health impacts of chemicals, wastes and

pollution (2023), further development of existing regulatory mechanisms, and discussion of

new ones. The Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health (2023) includes commitments

to improve chemical safety in the WHO European Region.

Achievement of the objectives and targets of current chemical strategies would appear to be

feasible in view of progress made in the Region in terms of strengthening the legal and

institutional basis; improving the availability of information; development and use of novel

tools; environment monitoring and health surveillance; and awareness-raising. Baseline and

other conditions that influence planning of further actions differ, however, from country to

country, and prioritization of common regional activities would facilitate planning of national

chemical agendas and ensure more effective use of technical, human and other resources.

The planned meeting will consist of two parts. The first will be a discussion and agreement on

regional chemical safety priorities and planning of actions to ensure implementation of the

Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and other relevant policies. Specifically, the

following will be discussed:

- alignment of global and regional chemicals management policies;

- identification of regional priority areas and activities at the mid-term (up to 2030);

- consolidation of efforts through partnerships; and

- use of science in accelerating progress in chemical safety

The second part of the meeting will consist of training in planning health protection activities

throughout a chemical’s life cycle, with the example of mercury. Training will cover: industrial

activities and protection of the health of workers and communities; mercury in products;

chemical wastes management, focusing on health-care wastes; and use of human biomonitoring

in evaluating the effectiveness of policy implementation (the Minamata Convention on

Mercury). Training will also include practical exercises on the development of health strategies

for implementation of the Minamata Convention.

In preparation for the meeting, a webinar will be organized to introduce meeting participants

to new chemical policies and their targets and objectives; participants will be requested to

complete a questionnaire to facilitate discussions during the meeting.

The meeting is expected to identify actions to support Member States in implementing their

commitments in the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and other chemical

policies and in mainstreaming action to meet those commitments. The meeting outcome may

be considered for updating the WHO Chemical Road Map. It is expected that experience in

prioritization, planning and sharing of scientific information will support action at national

level.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

/3

Bonn, Germany 4-6 June 2024

21 March 2024 Original: English

Provisional agenda

1. Opening of the meeting, introduction of participants, appointment of

chairperson and rapporteur

2. Approval of the agenda and programme

3. Prioritization of chemicals, actions and areas of support for implementation of

the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health (2023)

4. Alignment of regional and global priorities and mainstreaming actions for

achieving commitments in chemical safety

5. Science in accelerating progress in chemical safety: new knowledge and

expectations

6. EHP partnerships – progress, new developments and way forward

EHP Partnership on HBM

EHP Partnership on poison centres

7. Planning health protection measures throughout a chemical’s life cycle (the

example of mercury) – training session

8. Conclusions and closure of the meeting

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

/2

Bonn, Germany 4–6 June 2024

18 March 2024 Original: English

Scope and purpose

Several high-level strategic decisions have been adopted recently to ensure greater protection

of human health and the environment from the negative impacts of hazardous chemicals. They

include the new Global Framework on Chemicals and the Bonn Declaration (2023), World

Health Assembly resolution WHA76.17 on the health impacts of chemicals, wastes and

pollution (2023), further development of existing regulatory mechanisms, and discussion of

new ones. The Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health (2023) includes commitments

to improve chemical safety in the WHO European Region.

Achievement of the objectives and targets of current chemical strategies would appear to be

feasible in view of progress made in the Region in terms of strengthening the legal and

institutional basis; improving the availability of information; development and use of novel

tools; environment monitoring and health surveillance; and awareness-raising. Baseline and

other conditions that influence planning of further actions differ, however, from country to

country, and prioritization of common regional activities would facilitate planning of national

chemical agendas and ensure more effective use of technical, human and other resources.

The planned meeting will consist of two parts. The first will be a discussion and agreement on

regional chemical safety priorities and planning of actions to ensure implementation of the

Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and other relevant policies. Specifically, the

following will be discussed:

- alignment of global and regional chemicals management policies;

- identification of regional priority areas and activities at the mid-term (up to 2030);

- consolidation of efforts through partnerships; and

- use of science in accelerating progress in chemical safety

The second part of the meeting will consist of training in planning health protection activities

throughout a chemical’s life cycle, with the example of mercury. Training will cover: industrial

activities and protection of the health of workers and communities; mercury in products;

chemical wastes management, focusing on health-care wastes; and use of human biomonitoring

in evaluating the effectiveness of policy implementation (the Minamata Convention on

Mercury). Training will also include practical exercises on the development of health strategies

for implementation of the Minamata Convention.

In preparation for the meeting, a webinar will be organized to introduce meeting participants

to new chemical policies and their targets and objectives; participants will be requested to

complete a questionnaire to facilitate discussions during the meeting.

The meeting is expected to identify actions to support Member States in implementing their

commitments in the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and other chemical

policies and in mainstreaming action to meet those commitments. The meeting outcome may

be considered for updating the WHO Chemical Road Map. It is expected that experience in

prioritization, planning and sharing of scientific information will support action at national

level.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

/3

Bonn, Germany 4-6 June 2024

21 March 2024 Original: English

Provisional agenda

1. Opening of the meeting, introduction of participants, appointment of

chairperson and rapporteur

2. Approval of the agenda and programme

3. Prioritization of chemicals, actions and areas of support for implementation of

the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health (2023)

4. Alignment of regional and global priorities and mainstreaming actions for

achieving commitments in chemical safety

5. Science in accelerating progress in chemical safety: new knowledge and

expectations

6. EHP partnerships – progress, new developments and way forward

EHP Partnership on HBM

EHP Partnership on poison centres

7. Planning health protection measures throughout a chemical’s life cycle (the

example of mercury) – training session

8. Conclusions and closure of the meeting

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark

Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 28 March 2024

Ms Helen Sõber

Adviser

European Union Affairs and International Co-operation

Department

Ministry of Social Affairs

Suur-Ameerika 1

10122 Tallinn

Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Our reference: Notre référence: Unser Zeichen: См. наш номер:

Your reference: Votre référence: Ihr Zeichen: На Ваш номер:

Dear Ms Sõber,

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

Bonn, Germany, 4-6 June 2024

I have the honour to inform you that the WHO Regional Office for Europe plans to hold the above-mentioned meeting.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss and agree on the regional priorities in chemical safety and plan actions for

implementation of the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health. The meeting will provide an opportunity to

discuss the alignment of global and regional chemical policies to ensure mobilization and effective use of resources,

consolidation of efforts through partnerships and use of science in accelerating progress in chemical safety.

The meeting agenda also includes training in planning health protection activities throughout a chemical’s life cycle,

with mercury as an example. An outline of the scope and purpose of the meeting and the provisional agenda are enclosed.

I have the pleasure of inviting you to nominate one participant with expertise in chemicals and health to attend the

meeting and to contribute actively to the proposed agenda. Owing to the limited availability of funds, participation costs

cannot be covered by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

The working language will be English; simultaneous interpretation into Russian will be provided.

We look forward to receiving your nomination, including the name, functional title, postal and email address of the

proposed participant, at your earliest convenience, but not later than 26 April 2024. We shall then communicate with

the participant directly and provide the necessary documentation and administrative information.

Dr Dorota Jarosinska is responsible for this activity. It would be appreciated if you would address your reply to her at

[email protected].

Sincerely yours,

Mr Robb Butler

Director

Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health

– 2 –

Encls:

Scope and purpose

Provisional agenda

Copy for information to:

Ms Triin Uusberg, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social

Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia

H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the

Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-

Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland

H.E. Mr William Mart Laanemäe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of

Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark

Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 28 March 2024

Ms Helen Sõber

Adviser

European Union Affairs and International Co-operation

Department

Ministry of Social Affairs

Suur-Ameerika 1

10122 Tallinn

Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Our reference: Notre référence: Unser Zeichen: См. наш номер:

Your reference: Votre référence: Ihr Zeichen: На Ваш номер:

Dear Ms Sõber,

Planning implementation of global and regional chemical safety policies

Bonn, Germany, 4-6 June 2024

I have the honour to inform you that the WHO Regional Office for Europe plans to hold the above-mentioned meeting.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss and agree on the regional priorities in chemical safety and plan actions for

implementation of the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health. The meeting will provide an opportunity to

discuss the alignment of global and regional chemical policies to ensure mobilization and effective use of resources,

consolidation of efforts through partnerships and use of science in accelerating progress in chemical safety.

The meeting agenda also includes training in planning health protection activities throughout a chemical’s life cycle,

with mercury as an example. An outline of the scope and purpose of the meeting and the provisional agenda are enclosed.

I have the pleasure of inviting you to nominate one participant with expertise in chemicals and health to attend the

meeting and to contribute actively to the proposed agenda. Owing to the limited availability of funds, participation costs

cannot be covered by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

The working language will be English; simultaneous interpretation into Russian will be provided.

We look forward to receiving your nomination, including the name, functional title, postal and email address of the

proposed participant, at your earliest convenience, but not later than 26 April 2024. We shall then communicate with

the participant directly and provide the necessary documentation and administrative information.

Dr Dorota Jarosinska is responsible for this activity. It would be appreciated if you would address your reply to her at

[email protected].

Sincerely yours,

Mr Robb Butler

Director

Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health

– 2 –

Encls:

Scope and purpose

Provisional agenda

Copy for information to:

Ms Triin Uusberg, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social

Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia

H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the

Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-

Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland

H.E. Mr William Mart Laanemäe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of

Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia