Fact Sheet: Basel Convention Regional and Coordinating Centres / Stockholm Convention Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer (BCRCs / SCRCs)

 

Date of establishment SCRC: dependent on date of COP decision endorsing status as SCRC
BCRC: dependent on date of the agreement between Secretariat of Basel Convention and host of the BCRC
Legal basis BCRCs:
  • Article 14, Basel Convention:
  • Decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) select the hosts of the BCRCs (Parties or inter-governmental organizations (IGOs))
  • Framework agreements or memoranda of understanding with the host government or IGO
SCRCs:
  • Article 12 (4), Stockholm Convention.
  • COP decision SC-3/12 to adopt Terms of Reference for the Selection of SCRC
  • Decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) endorsing nominated Stockholm Convention centres to SCRCs
  • COP decision SC-2/19 adopted Terms of Reference
Objective
  • BCRCs: training and technology transfers regarding the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes and the minimization of their generation
  • SCRCs : provision of technical assistance and promotion of  the transfer of technology to developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition relating to the implementation of this Convention.
Nature Formal entities: national institutions,  intergovernmental organizations or  any arrangements made by the Parties
Countries served BCRCs: Country representatives from Parties to the Basel Convention electing to be served by the Centre in question
SCRCs: indicative list of countries served established by each Centre
Observers Possible depending on the circumstances
Geographical scope Regional – scope depends on Parties electing to be served by a particular centre
Scope Hazardous wastes and other wastes within the scope of the Basel Convention, persistent organic pollutants within the scope of the Stockholm Convention, and, following the synergies decisions, toxic chemicals within the scope of the Rotterdam Convention.
Governance structure
  • BCRCs and SCRCs operate under the authority of and report to the Conference of the Parties of the respective Convention
  • Each BCRC has a Steering Committee, composed of members of: (i) host government / entity; (ii) countries served by the BCRC/ BCRCs coordinated by coordinating centre (iii) Secretariat’s representatives and BCRC director (ex officio members).
  • SCRCs: there is no formal requirement, the governance structure is Centre-specific
Cooperation Cooperation in various fora with various partners: governments (donor countries and recipients); UNEP and divisions; GEF; GCI; IMPEL; INECE; ECOWAS etc.
Activities
  • Delivery of training, dissemination of information, consulting, awareness raising activities and technology transfer on matters relevant to the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
  • Specific activities, for instance on preventing and combating illegal traffic/illicit trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes, to be included in business plans/work plans adopted by the Centre
Source of funding
  • BCRCs: Obligatory contribution from host government / institution; Mandatory contributions from countries served (South Africa); Funding from voluntary contribution and self-fundraising
  • SCRCs: there is no formal requirement, the sources of funding are Centre-specific
Contact information See websites (below)
Website https://www.basel.int/Partners/RegionalCentres/Overview/tabid/2334/Default.aspx https://chm.pops.int/Implementation/RegionalCentres/Overview/tabid/425/Default.aspx