PHM-Exch> [PHM News]: WHO Executive Board (EB134) in Jan 2014 considering health aspects of mercury exposure and Minamata Convention

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: PHM's WHO Watch



The Minamata Convention on
Mercury<http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Convention/tabid/3426/Default.aspx>will
be considered by the WHO Executive Board (EB) in January 2014 and
again in May 2014 at the WHA as Agenda item 8.6 supported by document
EB134/23 <http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_23-en.pdf>.
Read full text of the
Convention<http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Portals/11/documents/conventionText/Minamata%20Convention%20on%20Mercury_e.pdf>here.

The Secretariat notes that this item is included on the EB agenda “at the
request of Member States” to provide information “on the public health
implications of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as well as on other
chemicals of major public health concern”.

The Secretariat’s report
(EB134/23<http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_23-en.pdf>)
describes sources of mercury exposure and health impacts. It describes the
negotiation and adoption of the Minamata Convention which has now been
signed by 50 countries but ratified by only one (USA). The report outlines
the role of health ministries in the implementation of the Convention and
the role of WHO.  The report calls for closer collaboration between the
health and the environment sectors at national and global levels and
foreshadows further consultations with member states regarding the sound
management of chemicals.

PHM’s WHO Watch project will be at the EB and the WHA and we are presently
preparing comments to be shared with delegates before and during the
meetings.  PHM is keen to hear from PHM activists and friends who are
familiar with mercury exposure and control from a PHM perspective. We are
keen to hear  your comment on the Convention and suggestions about how WHO
could be more effective in this area.

The Secretariat’s report is largely focused on the role of governments and
inter-governmental bodies. Your suggestions about how health for all
advocates might work more closely with environmental advocates would also
be very helpful. In particular there may be a need for PHM activists and
friends to work with environmental advocates to encourage countries to sign
and ratify the Convention.

Please respond to: sdh-watch at phmovement.org.

Warmest greetings

WHO Watch
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