UN conference open in Nairobi on dangerous chemicals

The second round of an international agreement to reduce and eliminate emissions and discharges of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) opened today at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi. Representatives from some 100 governments are expected to participate in the week-long meeting and draft a legally binding document to form the basis of an internationally binding treaty banning POPs. “The time is right for accelerated global action to protect human health and the environment from these extraordinarily dangerous chemicals,” UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said. “I am optimistic that by the year 2000, these talks will produce a legally binding regime that will prevent the terrible mistakes and tragedies of the past from ever happening again, and help repair the damage already done,” he added. These negotiations will build on the first round of talks held in Montreal last year, where governments reached broad consensus on the way forward. Twelve POPS are on the initial list for action under the treaty being drafted. Negotiators will be deciding on provisions to reduce emissions and to eliminate or phase out their use entirely.