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The Glossary of Terms is now available online in all 6 UN languages.
New online publication provides additional legal clarity to assist Basel Convention implementation
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BRS, together with UN Environment, the ILO and the ITU amongst others, is part of a new coalition of UN organisations formed at the recent WSIS2018 Forum to achieve a shared goal of tackling the ever-growing issue of electronic waste.
New pan-UN Coalition formed to tackle E-Waste
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Learn about the work of the Basel Convention Regional Centre in Cairo, Egypt.
Focus on Basel Convention regional implementation switches to Arabic-speaking countries
In 1995 the Conference of the Parties of the Basel Convention selected Egypt as the site of a Sub-Regional Centre for Arabic-speaking countries initially of Africa but later in 2002 expanded to include Arab speaking countries of West Asia and the Centre renamed as the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Arab States for Training and Technology Transfer. Following the ratification of the Framework Agreement by the Egyptian Parliament in 2005, BCRC-Egypt was established within Cairo University, which is considered to be one of the most outstanding academic and research institutes in the region. Countries that are served by the Centre include: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
BCRC Egypt aims at becoming an effective and reliable partner in the region for environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes under the Basel Convention and to assist the Parties to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The Centre has focused its efforts on strengthening the regional cooperation of Arab states in hazardous waste management and trans-boundary control which should support compliance with the Basel Convention in the Arab states. In this regard, the centre has organized a large number of regional and national activities such as training, workshops, mainly with the funding provided by the Government of Finland and in collaboration with UNDP/Egypt in the following areas:
- Inventory of hazardous wastes and chemicals
- Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Codes on hazardous waste
- Customs and port officials on controlling illegal trade
- ESM of Asbestos wastes, POPs pesticides, PCBs and other POPs waste
- Hazardous waste management technologies and promoting technology transfer
- Occupational health and safety
The centre has also taken initiatives in establishing a reference accredited lab for POPs analysis, to provide the analysis service to the member states and is equipping itself with relevant testing and monitoring facilities.
BCRC Egypt has a very effective communication strategy and has been in communication with the Arab members through social media, such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCRCEgypt.OfficialPage), twitter (www.twitter.com/bcrcegypt) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/bcrcegypt). In addition to these, the Centre has also published from time to time a newsletter in Arabic language which summarized some of its activities.
For more information please contact to:
Prof. Mostafa Kamel
Director, BCRC Egypt
Tel: +20 (2) 35715115
E-mail: cairo@bcrc-egypt.com; kmostafa@sci.cu.edu.eg
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Workshop on e-waste at WSIS 2018 focuses on solutions and standards on 23 March in Geneva, Switzerland.
BRS and ITU jointly host workshop on electronic waste
In 2016, 44.7 million tons of e-waste were generated, of which only 20% were collected, in average, worldwide (UNU/ITU/ISWA, 2017). The Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE) and the Mobile Phone Partnership (MMPI) have developed guidance documents to help Parties to the Basel Convention and other stakeholders to put in place solutions, which can provide opportunities for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of e-waste. Since 2012, the Basel Convention Secretariat and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have been cooperating to foster solutions for the ESM of e-waste. Among other things, the Secretariat has been contributing to the development of standards and policy recommendations that the ITU develops to support e-waste management towards a circular economy. The present workshop, to be held on 23rd March 2018 in Geneva, will aim at introducing the standards and policy guidance available, and will provide Parties to the Basel Convention as well as Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) companies with an opportunity for sharing their experiences as to their implementation. Details of the workshop can be found here.
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Executive Secretary Rolph Payet contributes to discussions on a range of issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals, throughout WSIS 2018
BRS Secretariat participates at the World Summit on the Information Society Forum in Geneva
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The BRS Secretariat congratulates Gambia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of entry into force of the Basel Convention - for a Life with Less Waste.
Congratulations to Gambia: 20 years of implementing the Basel Convention
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The BRS Secretariat invites Parties and stakeholders to submit stories highlighting innovative or inspiring examples of gender mainstreaming for sound management of chemicals and waste.
On International Women’s Day, BRS seeks more Gender Heroes
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Women are disproportionately impacted by hazardous chemicals and waste. Gender mainstreaming case studies, profiles of Gender Heroes and Gender Pioneers, and the BRS Gender Action Plan are all available on our website.
The BRS Secretariat celebrates International Women’s Day
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The BRS Executive Secretary, Rolph Payet met with the Secretary General Houlin Zhao to discuss enhanced cooperation between the two organisations to tackle areas of joint concern such as E-waste from used IT equipment.
BRS Secretariat strengthens cooperation with International Telecommunications Union
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Visit or follow the @brsmeas twitter account to view a series of powerful photos demonstrating the impacts of chemicals and waste on nature and wildlife.
BRS Secretariat marks World Wildlife Day, 3 March
Visit or follow the @brsmeas twitter account to view a series of powerful photos demonstrating the impacts of chemicals and waste on nature and wildlife.
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The BRS Secretariat congratulates Mauritius on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of entry into force of the Basel Convention – for a Life with Less Waste.
Congratulations to Mauritius: 25 years of implementing the Basel Convention
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The BRS Secretariat congratulates United Arab Emirates on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of entry into force of the Basel Convention - for a Life with Less Waste.
Congratulations to United Arab Emirates: 25 years of implementing the Basel Convention
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The BRS Secretariat congratulates Senegal on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of entry into force of the Basel Convention - for a Life with Less Waste.
Congratulations to Senegal: 25 years of implementing the Basel Convention
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Three-quarters of the BRS Science and Technical Assistance Branch are female, adding their voices to the international day of Women and Girls in Science, 11 February.
BRS Secretariat staff help highlight the importance of women and girls in science
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Plastic marine litter, POPs, pesticides and pharmaceuticals among chemicals of emerging Arctic concern according to Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme report.
New report highlights emerging chemical and waste threats to the Arctic
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With funding from Japan, experts convene from 20 to 23 March in Geneva to review the Annexes of the Convention, providing further legal clarity for Parties.
First meeting of Basel Convention expert group meets to provide legal clarity
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Apply by 6 February 2018 to assist the Basel Convention Secretariat tackle the problem of marine litter and micro-plastics pollution.
Consultant sought for marine plastic litter assignment
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Online tools define and promote the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.
Basel Convention’s ESM Toolkit assists Parties protect human health and the environment
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Interested in sound management of chemicals and wastes? Write to us at brs@brsmeas.org to receive the latest @UN #Detox news into your inbox every month.
Stay up to date with the monthly BRS Newsletter
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The BRS film, made together with partners WECF and WEP and premiered at UNEA-3 in Nairobi last month, is screened on Nigerian International TV (NTA) on Monday 15th January at 1730 local time.
Nigerian TV channel screens BRS film “What has Gender got to do with Chemicals”
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Stakeholders come together in Beijing, 21-24 January, to share experiences and raise awareness on the environmentally sound management of e-waste in the Asia-Pacific region.
Regional meetings in China address electronic waste
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The final version of the report of the thirteenth meeting of the COP to the Basel Convention is now available online in the six UN languages.
Basel Convention COP-13 meeting report - All languages now available
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A Happy New Year to all Parties, partners, stakeholders and donors from the BRS Secretariat
Season’s Greetings from the BRS Secretariat
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Whilst key resolutions were adopted at the UN Environment Assembly yesterday in Nairobi on marine litter, air and soil pollution, and environment & health, BRS staff took to social media to show their support.
BRS staff members show their support for UNEA-3’s message to Beat Pollution
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If you were not in Nairobi and could not watch it live, you can now view the recording to hear all about new innovations, interventions, questions, and discussions.
Interactive panel discussion at UNEA3 – recording online
If you were not in Nairobi and could not watch it live, you can now view the recording to hear all about new innovations, interventions, questions, and discussions.
Video recording
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