Transcript Introduction to the Workshop Mehdia Siari UNITAR GHS Stocktaking and Training Workshop For Central and Eastern Europe 17-19 July 2012 Chisinau, Moldova.

Introduction to the Workshop
Mehdia Siari
UNITAR
GHS Stocktaking and Training Workshop For Central and Eastern Europe
17-19 July 2012
Chisinau, Moldova
Outline
Background on UNITAR & SAICM
Organizational arrangements
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Workplan for the workshop
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Background UNITAR and
SAICM
Overview on UNITAR
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.”
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Overview on UNITAR
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
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Overview on UNITAR
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
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SAICM
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Declaration of Dubai adopted in
2006 by ICCM
Policy framework to guide efforts
to achieve the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation goal
that, by 2020, chemicals will be
produced and used in ways that
minimize
significant
adverse
impacts on the environment and
human health
Multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholers
SAICM OBJECTIVES
 Risk reduction
 Knowledge and information
 Governance
 Capacity Building and technical cooperation
 Illegal international traffic
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UNITAR CWM & SAICM
 National Chemicals Management Profile
 National SAICM pilot projects/ Integrated national
programmes
 Specialized trainings and Capacity building: GHS,
PRTR, POPs, Risk Management Decision Making, etc
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Organizational arrangements
Organizational Arrangements
Organized through the collaboration of the Ministry of
Environment of Moldova, UNITAR and ILO
Financial support from the SAICM QSPTF
Participants from governments of countries of Central and
Eastern Europe, relevant industry and public interest groups
(including labour organizations and NGOs), IGOs,
professional or research bodies
17 countries represented, approx 60 participants from a
range of stakeholder groups
Objectives and Expected
Outcomes
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Purpose of the workshop is to discuss experiences with GHS
implementation in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and
consider concrete issues related to GHS implementation in the region
Main goal of the workshop is to bring together key representatives
from government, business and industry, and public interest and
labour organizations to discuss GHS implementation and capacity
needs
Specific objectives of the workshop include to:
take stock of the status of GHS implementation in Central and Eastern Europe
Train participants on the purpose, scope and application of GHS, classification of
hazardous substances and mixtures and hazard communication;
share experience and approaches to GHS implementation
explore areas for collaboration and training
ensure that health services are informed about the GHS
examine existing institutions and initiatives relevant for GHS implementation; and
develop joint and shared approaches to capacity building at the national and regional
levels.
Workplan for the workshop
Workplan for the Workshop
Day 1:
GHS Basic course and CLP Regulation
Day 2:
Presentation on the current state of implementation in the
region
Countries already undertaking steps towards GHS
implementation will provide updates on progress to date
Focus on the role of stakeholders
Special session on the health sector
Working groups on 2 themes: technical issues and legal
issues
Workplan for the Workshop
Day 3:
Working on groups on 2 further themes: implementation
process issues and regional communication and
information sharing
Summary conclusions and recommendations.
The results of the workshop (including all presentations) will
be published and made widely available through both hard
copy and electronic means
http://www.unitar.org/cwm/ghs/2012
Thank you!