Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The eleventh ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 28 April to 10 May 2013, in conjunction with the sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the three conferences of the parties to the three conventions. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Sunday, 28 April 2013 by the three presidents of the conferences of the parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information pertaining to the election of officers of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention by the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting. In addition to electing the officers of the Conference of the Parties and the Open-ended Working Group, the meeting is expected to elect five members of the Committee for Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention (see UNEP/CHW.11/11).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its tenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal adopted decision BC-10/3 on the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. The decision addresses the entry into force of the Ban Amendment; the development of guidelines for environmentally sound management; the provision of further legal clarity; the further strengthening of the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres; combating illegal traffic; assisting developing countries that are facing specific challenges with regard to prohibiting the import of hazardous wastes; and building capacity.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.11/3 on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, the present addendum sets out in its annex the draft framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted, as amended, in decision BC-11/1 on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, the framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes on the basis of the draft framework contained in document UNEP/CHW.11/3/Add.1, which was developed by the technical expert group. The text of the final version of the framework is set out in the annex to the present addendum.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.11/3), the present addendum sets out in its annex a draft glossary of terms, dated 30 November 2012 and elaborated by the Secretariat, as requested by the Open-ended Working Group in its decision OEWG 8/7. The Secretariat has also prepared a note compiling the comments received from parties and others on the attached draft glossary (UNEP/CHW.11/INF/4). With regard to the possible options for the interpretation of terms, considering both voluntary and legally binding one, the Secretariat has prepared a note compiling comments submitted by parties and others (UNEP/CHW.11/INF/5).

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.At its tenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted decision BC-10/2 on the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021, by which it adopted the strategic framework set out in the annex to the decision and encouraged parties to take specific actions to implement it through the activities listed in the biennial programme of work. Parties and others in a position to do so were called upon to mobilize resources and to provide financial and other resources, including in-kind support, for the implementation of the framework.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision BC-10/4 on the review and strengthening of the operation of the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal took note of four documents submitted to it at its tenth meeting and requested the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres to submit the following to the Secretariat:

Process for evaluating the performance and sustainability of the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.11/5 on Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres, the Expanded Bureau agreed at its meeting on 12 and 13 November 2012 that a similar process to that under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants could be applied for evaluating the performance and sustainability of the regional centres under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and requested the Secretariat to submit a proposal for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision BC-10/20, on the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal agreed to extend the mandate of the Partnership until the end of 2013 to complete the work programme as set out in the annex to the decision, and encouraged the Partnership Working Group to revise the guidance document on environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life computing equipment based on the results of evaluation studies and any additional information provided, and to submit it to the Open-ended Working Group for consideration at its eighth meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.11/6 on the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, the present addendum sets out in its annex the revised guidance document on the environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life computing equipment.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted, as amended in decision BC-11/15 on Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the guidance document on environmentally sound management of used and end of life computing equipment on the basis of the revised guidance document set out in document UNEP/CHW.11/6/Add.1, prepared by the Partnership Working Group.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste), in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-waste

A. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-10/5, on technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electronic and electrical waste (e waste), in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-waste, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal invited parties to consider serving as lead countries for the further development of the technical guidelines and to inform the Secretariat of their willingness to do so by 31 January 2012. It also decided to establish a small intersessional working group to monitor and assist in the further development of the guidelines.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/CHW.11/7 on technical guidelines, the annex to the present note contains the draft technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste), in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-waste under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal adopted decision VIII/15 on revisions to the procedure for the review or adjustment of the lists of wastes contained in Annexes VIII and IX to the Convention. According to the revised procedure, applications for any changes to Annexes VIII or IX received by the Secretariat at least three months prior to a meeting of the Open ended Working Group will be forwarded to the Open-ended Working Group for its consideration at that meeting. The decision of the Open ended Working Group on any such application will be transmitted in a report, through the Secretariat, to the Conference of the Parties at its next meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision BC-10/10 on the review of cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and its Harmonized System Committee, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to pursue its cooperation with the WCO secretariat, the Harmonized System Committee, the Harmonized System Review Subcommittee and the Scientific Subcommittee of WCO.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision BC-10/11, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal adopted a work programme for the Committee for Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention for the period 2012–2013.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in the note by the Secretariat on the Committee for Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW.11/10), the present addendum sets out in its annex the draft terms of reference for cooperative arrangements on preventing and combating illegal traffic, prepared by the Committee for Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision VI/12, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal established a mechanism for promoting implementation of and compliance with the obligations under the Convention and adopted terms of reference for the mechanism as set out in the appendix to that decision. The terms of reference provide for the establishment of a committee charged with administering the mechanism, which is known as the Committee for Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance of the Basel Convention, and set forth procedures for electing Committee members.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision BC-10/13, on national legislation, enforcement of the Convention and efforts to combat illegal traffic, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the Secretariat to continue to provide, upon request, advice and assistance on matters related to the implementation and enforcement of the Convention and to continue to maintain a collection of national legislation and other measures adopted by parties to implement the Convention, making them, along with forms submitted by parties reporting confirmed cases of illegal traffic, available on the Basel Convention website.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-10/14 on national reporting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, among other things, urged parties that had not yet done so to transmit to the Secretariat their completed questionnaires on the transmission of information for 2009 and for previous years, as soon as possible and in electronic form, using the revised questionnaire adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its sixth meeting and bearing in mind that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 13 of the Convention, parties must transmit before the end of each calendar year a report on the previous calendar year. In addition, the Conference of the Parties requested the Secretariat to prepare and publish an annual compilation document for each of the years 2008-2010 and, for the triennium 2010-2012, a summary document and a country fact sheet for each party submitting completed questionnaires on the transmission of information.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention has adopted a number of decisions pertaining to the enlargement of the scope of the Trust Fund to Assist Developing and Other Countries in Need of Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Basel Convention, including decisions V/32, VI/14 and BC 10/22.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-10/23 on capacity-building for the implementation of the Basel Convention, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal requested the following from the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By its decision BC-10/17 on the environmentally sound dismantling of ships, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal noted that while some parties believed that the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships provided an equivalent level of control and enforcement to that established under the Basel Convention, some parties did not believe that to be the case. By the same decision, the Conference of the Parties encouraged parties to ratify the Hong Kong Convention to enable its early entry into force while acknowledging that the Basel Convention should continue to assist countries to apply the Basel Convention as it relates to ships.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decision BC-10/16 on cooperation between the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention requested the Secretariat to undertake several activities pertaining to the issue of wastes generated on board ships and the relationship between the Basel Convention and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto and as further amended by the Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision BC-10/15, on international cooperation and coordination, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal requested the Secretariat to further strengthen cooperation and coordination with international and regional organizations and multilateral environmental agreements in areas of relevance to the Convention, including in the areas and with the organizations listed in the report on international cooperation for 2009–2011 prepared by the Secretariat pursuant to decision IX/11 for the information of the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting. The Conference of the Parties also requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts to seek observer status in the Committee on Trade and Environment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to advise the parties when WTO granted its request.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision VIII/34 on resource mobilization and sustainable financing, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal highlighted the importance of strengthening linkages with resource mobilization strategies of other relevant multilateral agreements, approaches and processes. The decision recognized the challenges of mainstreaming hazardous wastes into development processes in developing countries and the need to develop relevant capacities.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

A.Work programme of the Open-ended Working Group for 2014–2015

1.In accordance with the work programme of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, set out in decision BC-10/25, the Working Group held its eighth meeting, in Geneva, from 25 to 28 September 2012. The report of the meeting is contained in document UNEP/CHW/OEWG.8/16.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its meeting on 12 and 13 November 2012, the Expanded Bureau concluded that, in its current format, the Open-ended Working Group was not making optimum use of available resources and expertise. The Secretariat was requested to prepare, in consultation with the Expanded Bureau, different options for the operation of the Open-ended Working Group for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Communication with and between the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal on matters relating to the Convention is accomplished through:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 6 of Article 15 of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal provides the following:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its meeting held on 12 and 13 November 2012, the Expanded Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal was informed of the action taken by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on the development of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to better formalize their relationship (UNEP/POPS/COP.6/32). The Expanded Bureau decided to invite the Executive Director of UNEP to consider the development of a memorandum of understanding with the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.

Introduction

The eleventh ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal was held at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 28 April to 10 May 2013.

The meeting was held in coordination with the sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties to the three conventions.