<div dir="ltr">From: PHM's WHO Watch <b class="gmail_sendername"></b><div class="gmail_quote"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-AU"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">The <a href="http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Convention/tabid/3426/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Minamata Convention on Mercury</a> 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 <a href="http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_23-en.pdf" target="_blank">EB134/23</a>. Read <a href="http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Portals/11/documents/conventionText/Minamata%20Convention%20on%20Mercury_e.pdf" target="_blank">full text of the Convention</a> here. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">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”.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">The Secretariat’s report (<a href="http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_23-en.pdf" target="_blank">EB134/23</a>) 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. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">Please respond to: <a href="mailto:sdh-watch@phmovement.org" target="_blank">sdh-watch@phmovement.org</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">Warmest greetings<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d">WHO Watch <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div></div></div><br></div>