BRS COPs Protect Health and Environment by “Making Visible the Invisible”
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Quick Summary:
- The 2025 meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs) were held under the theme “Make visible the invisible: sound management of chemicals and wastes” More than 2,200 participants, including 1,284 representatives from governments from 191 countries and 500 observer organisations, came together for the two-week long meetings. The COPs adopted the decision accepting Panama’s offer to host the next meeting in Panama City, Panama, tentatively from 19 to 30 April 2027. German alpine ski champion Felix Neureuther was named the BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers.
- The 2025 meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will conclude this week in Geneva. Over 70 Ministers gathered in Geneva to strengthen global cooperation on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Geneva Environment Network is taking part in the 2025 Meetings of the BRS COPs with a booth featuring multilateral Geneva making visible the invisible crisis of chemical, waste and pollution. The inaugural GEO Global Forum in 2025 will feature a GEO-20 Plenary. World Migratory Bird Day 2025, observed on 10 May 2025 and 11 October 2025, is dedicated to creating bird-friendly cities and communities.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 12 – 18 May 2025
The 2025 meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs) were held under the theme “Make visible the invisible: sound management of chemicals and wastes” More than 2,200 participants, including 1,284 representatives from governments from 191 countries and 500 observer organisations, came together for the two-week long meetings. The COPs adopted the decision accepting Panama’s offer to host the next meeting in Panama City, Panama, tentatively from 19 to 30 April 2027. German alpine ski champion Felix Neureuther was named the BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers. Read full article
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 5 – 11 May 2025
The 2025 meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will conclude this week in Geneva. Over 70 Ministers gathered in Geneva to strengthen global cooperation on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Geneva Environment Network is taking part in the 2025 Meetings of the BRS COPs with a booth featuring multilateral Geneva making visible the invisible crisis of chemical, waste and pollution. The inaugural GEO Global Forum in 2025 will feature a GEO-20 Plenary. World Migratory Bird Day 2025, observed on 10 May 2025 and 11 October 2025, is dedicated to creating bird-friendly cities and communities. Read full article
Making Visible the Invisible Occupational Victims of Chemicals Recommended by the CRC for Listing onto Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention | 2025 BRS COPs Side Event
In June 2022, the International Labour Conference (ILC) decided to amend the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The panellists will present and discuss how this fundamental change in the Human Rights landscape has so far contributed to increasing the visibility of OHS victims of hazardous chemicals. The @GENetwork is at the #BRSCOPs2025 side event by @Solidar_EU. Read full article
Making visible the invisible: the role of IUCN and WCEL in the sound management of chemicals and wastes at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Conference of the Parties 2025
Pollution from waste and chemicals is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. IUCN’s role as Observer to the 2025 BRS COPs is to provide the international voice for nature and conservation. The BRS Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) designed to regulate the handling of chemicals and hazardous waste. Achieving the GBF goals “requires integrated efforts across all environmental agreements, notably those under the chemicals and waste agenda” Read full article
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 28 April – 4 May 2025
The 2025 meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions kick off this week in Geneva. More than 2,000 delegates are registered to attend the two-week-long meetings, which will include a high-level segment on 30 April and 1 May 2025. World Environment Day 2025 will focus on putting an end to global plastic pollution. The UNEP 2025 Champions of the Earth award honours individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. The Nordic Council Environment Prize 2025 will go to an initiative that involves everybody in the green transition. The 8 Annual Sustainable Investment Forum Europe will bring together over 400 senior leaders from institutional investors, regulators, and multilateral institutions. The 10th Our Ocean Conference will be held in Busan, Korea. Read full article
From Evidence to Policy Action: Establishing a Science-Policy Panel to Promote the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and the Prevention of Pollution | 2025 BRS COPs Side Event
Event focused on the process for the establishment of an independent, intergovernmental science-policy panel. Panel would contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. 2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will be held back-to-back in Geneva. Side events to the 2025 meetings will serve as a platform for Parties and observers to share knowledge, build capacity, network and exchange on experience. Read full article
Towards the 2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
The seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-17) is being held from 28 April to 9 May 2025 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) After eight years, RC listed carbosulfan, a pesticide. BC adopted a decision on two technical guidelines: on lead-acid batteries and on pneumatic tyres. SC agreed to eliminate the production and use of two persistent organic pollutants. Read full article
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 17 – 23 March 2025
The 2025 Meetings of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (BRS COPs) will start convening in Geneva at the end of next month. The 2025 edition of the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) is convening from 17 to 28 March 2025. First World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day will be celebrated with a high-level event taking place in Paris and New York. The 16th Edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative Climate and Clean Air Conference 2025 will conclude on 21 March 2025, in Brasília, Brazil. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 12 – 18 May 2025
- Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 5 – 11 May 2025
- Making Visible the Invisible Occupational Victims of Chemicals Recommended by the CRC for Listing onto Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention | 2025 BRS COPs Side Event
- Making visible the invisible: the role of IUCN and WCEL in the sound management of chemicals and wastes at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Conference of the Parties 2025
- Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 28 April – 4 May 2025
- From Evidence to Policy Action: Establishing a Science-Policy Panel to Promote the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and the Prevention of Pollution | 2025 BRS COPs Side Event
- Towards the 2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
- Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 17 – 23 March 2025
Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/news/brs-cops-protect-health-and-environment-by-making-visible-the-invisible/