The Conference,
1. Adopts the rules of procedure attached to the report of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention as Annex 111;
2. Decides that the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall take place in February/March 1994;
3. Further decides that the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall take place in April/May 1995.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 1 of the March 1989 Basel Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Global Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes inviting the Executive Director of UNEP to set up an ad hoc working group of legal and technical experts to consider the necessity of establishing mechanisms for the implementation of the Basel Convention as provided in Article 15, paragraph 5 (e) of the Convention,
Having considered the recommendations of the ad hoc working group in document UNEPICHW/WG.31 114,
1. Decides to establish an Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to meet as necessary in order to fulfill the task placed on it by the Conference of the Parties, subject to available resources;
2. Requests the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to fulfill the tasks placed on it by this decision and decisions 1/3, I/7, I/9, I/11, I/13, I/15 and I/19, and to present a report on its work to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to convene the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee and any subgroups the Ad Hoc Committee needs to establish to facilitate its work subject to available resources.
The Conference,
Having considered the recommendation concerning the need for an Implementation Manual/Code of Practice/Guidelines contained in document UNEP/CHW/WG.3/1/4,
Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to identify the purposes of and prepare the outline for a manual, in consultation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committal and to report on its progress to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 2 of the March 1989-Basel Conference of Plenipotentiaries inviting the Executive Director of UNEP to bring to the attention of the Parties to the London Dumping Convention the need for a review of the existing rules, regulations and practice with respect to dumping of hazardous wastes and other wastes at sea in the light of the Bass Convention,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Director in document UNEP/CHW. 1/2,
1. Welcomes the response of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, in response the Resolution 2 of the Basel Convention;
2. Invites the 16th Consultative Meeting of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (LDC), as well as the 199 Conference on amending the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution b Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, to consider the measures embodied in LDC Resolutions 29(10), 39(13), 42(13) and 43(13) in the possible amendments to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, or its annexes;
3. Further invites all Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, which are not Parties to the Basel Convention to become Parties to the Basel Convention;
4. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to ensure that the technical standards of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter. 1972, be fully taken into account during the further development of technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes subject to the Basel Convention.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 3 of the March 1989 Basel Conference of Plenipotentiaries, requesting the Executive Director of UNEP to establish an ad hoc working group of legal and technical experts to develop elements which might be included in a protocol on liability and compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes and other wastes and to report on the results of this group's work to the First Meeting of the Parties,
Having considered the reports of the ad hoc working group contained in documents UNEP/CHW/WG.1/3 and UNEP/CHW/WG.1/2/3 as well as the reports of the Executive Director of UNEP contained in documents UNEP/CHW. 1/2 and UNEP/CHW. 1/4,
1. Notes with appreciation the report of the ad hoc working group contained in documents UNEP/CHW/WG. 1/3 and UNEP/CHW/WG. 1/2/3 and the reports of the Executive Director in documents UNEP/CHW. 1/2 and UNEP/CHW.1/4;
2. Decides to establish an ad hoc working group of legal and technical experts to consider and develop, having regard to documents UNEP/CHW/WG. 1/3, UNEP/CHW/WG. 1/2/3, UNEP/CHW. 1/5 and UNEP/CHW. 1/11 and other relevant instruments and documents, a draft protocol on liability and compensation, possibly including the establishment of an international Fund for compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal;
3. Decides also that the Working Group, at its first meeting, should consider, inter alia, the adequacy of the factual basis on which further efforts can best proceed, take the steps necessary to improve this information, and keep the matter under review at subsequent meetings;
4. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to convene this group which shall report on the progress of its work to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention to facilitate the adoption of the protocol referred to in paragraph 2 above.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 5 of the March 1989 Basel Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the need to harmonize the procedures of the Basel Convention and the code of practice for international transboundary movement of radioactive waste,
Having considered the report of the Executive Director of UNEP contained in document UNEP/CHW.1/2,
1. Welcomes the adoption by the General Conference of the international Atomic Centre Energy Agency (IAEA) of the code of practice which affirms the general principles and objectives of the Basel Convention:
2. Supports decision GC(XXXIV) Res/530 dated October 1990 of the General Conference of the IAEA to keep the question of international transboundary movements of radioactive waste under active review. including the desirability of concluding a legally binding instrument under the auspices of the IAEA;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue its cooperation and exchange of information with the IAEA on the matters referred to in paragraph 2 above.
The Conference,
Recalling paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the Basel Convention stipulating that at its first meeting the Conference of the Parties shall designate the Secretariat from among those existing competent intergovernmental organisations which have signaled their willingness to carry out the Secretariat functions under this Convention,
Having considered the note of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme in document UNEP/CHW. 1/9 and its corrigenda,
1. Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to carry out the functions of the Basel Convention Secretariat;
2. Further requests the Executive Director of UNEP to establish the Secretariat in accordance with the structure contained in the budget and to have the Secretariat located in Geneva;
3. Approves the budget of the Convention and its Secretariat for 1993 and 1994 as included in the Annex l of this decision;
4. Decides that the contributions of the Parties to the budget of the Convention and its Secretariat shall be according to the formula in the annex to this decision and subject to consideration by the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee of the distribution of the contributions for 1994:
5. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations to establish a Trust Fund for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and a technical cooperation trust fund to support developing countries and other countries in need of technical assistance in the implementation of the Basel Convention. in accordance with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations. the general procedures governing the operations of the Environment Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme and the terms of reference for she administration of these Trust Funds to receive the contributions of the Parties for the implementation of the Convention (attached in Annex II to this decision);
6. Calls on Parties and non-Parties which agreed to contribute to pay their contributions as soon as possible so as to ensure the smooth functioning of the Secretariat and the implementation of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties:
7. Requests the Executive Director of UNEP to inform the Parties and non-Parties on the financial changes in the implementation of the Basel Convention and to request them to pay their contributions into the respective trust funds as soon as possible.
Annex II
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST FUNDS FOR THE BASEL CONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES AND THEIR DISPOSAL
1. A Trust Fund for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (hereinafter referred to as the Trust Fund) shall be established to provide financial support for the ordinary expenditure of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention. A Technical Cooperation Trust Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Trust Fund) shall be established to assist developing countries and other countries in need of technical assistance in the implementation of the Basel Convention.
2. Pursuant to the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the approval of the Governing Council of UNEP, shall establish the Trust Funds for the administration of the Convention.
3. The Trust Fund shall be established for an initial period of two years, beginning 1 January 1993 and ending 31 December 1994. The appropriations of the Trust Fund for this period shall be financed from:
(a) Contributions made by the Parties to the Convention, by reference to the Table attached as an Appendix to the Budget, including additional contributions and contributions from any new Parties which are to be added to the Table;
(b) Contributions from States not Party to the Convention, other governmental, intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations, and other sources.
4. The Technical Trust Fund shall be established for an initial period of two years, beginning 1 January 1993 and ending 31 December 1994. The appropriation of the Technical Trust Fund for this period shall be financed from contributions made by the Parties and the non-Parties to the Convention.
5. The contributions referred to in Article 3 (a) above are to be based on the United Nations scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations (adjusted to provide that no one contribution shall exceed 25 per cent of the total).
6. The budget estimates, prepared in United States dollars, covering income and expenditure for each of the two calendar years 1993 and 1994 shall be as approved by the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and further such budget estimates for subsequent periods of two years shall be prepared and approved at any ordinary or extraordinary meeting of the Parties. The Bureau shall prepare a report based on a special survey by the Secretariat for the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to review and provisionally adopt contributions to the budget for 1994 by the end of September 1993.
7. The decision of the Conference of the Parties on the budget, including contributions thereto, shall be made by consensus.
8. The Bureau of the Parties may, on the advice of the Executive Director, approve expenditure on any one or more objects of expenditure over and above the level approved by the Conference of the Parties for those objects of expenditure, provided that there shall be no overall increase in the budget above that approved by the Conference of the Parties.
9. Commitments against the resources of the Trust Fund may be made only if they are covered by the necessary income. No commitments shall be made in advance of the receipt of contributions.
10. In the event that the Executive Director of UNEP anticipates that there might be a shortfall in resources over the financial period as a whole, he shall, with the advice of the members of the Bureau, have discretion to adjust the budget so that expenditures are at all times fully covered by contributions received.
11. At the end of a calendar year of a financial period, the Executive Director may transfer any uncommitted balance of appropriations to the following calendar year.
12. All contributions are due to be paid in the year immediately preceding the year to which the contributions relate.
13. All contributions shall be paid in United States dollars into the following account: Account No. 015-002756, UNEP General Trust Funds Account, Chemical Bank, United Nations Branch, New York, N.Y. 10017, United States of America.
14. Contributions from States that become Parties after the beginning of the financial period shall be made pro rata tempons for the balance of the financial period.
15. Contributions not immediately required for the purpose of both Funds shall be invested at the discretion of the United Nations and any interest so earned shall be credited to the Fund.
16. The Executive Director shall deduct from the income of both Trust Funds an administrative support charge equal to 13 per cent of other expenditures recorded during any accounting period in order to meet the cost of administrative activities financed from both Trust Funds and provide services relating to personnel, accounting, audit, etc.
17. The financial period of both Trust Funds will be a biennium consisting of two consecutive calendar years. At the end of each calendar year of a financial period, the Executive Director shall submit to the Parties the certified accounts for the year and a report of activities under the Convention. He shall submit the accounts for the two-year financial period audited by the Board of Auditors of the United Nations as soon as practicable.
18. The General Procedures governing the operations of the Fund of UNEP and the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and these terms of reference shall govern the financial operations of the Convention.
19. In the event that the Parties wish both Trust Funds to be extended beyond 31 December 1994, the Executive Director of UNEP shall be so requested by the Parties at least six months earlier. Such extension of both Trust Funds shall be subject to the approval of the UNEP Governing Council.
The Conference,
Conscious of the essential need for the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to cooperate with those of other United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and regional systems and organisations in order to achieve the objectives of the Basel Convention,
Convinced that the elaboration of regional systems for the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal will strengthen the control regime established by the Basel Convention,
Having considered the report of the Executive Director of UNEP on the relationship of the Secretariat with other United Nations bodies. specialized agencies and regional organizations,
1. Welcomes the adoption of the "Bamako Convention on the ban of import of hazardous wastes into Africa and the control of their transboundary movements within Africa," the Lome IV Convention "ACP/EEC" and the adoption of the OECD Council decision of 30 March 1992 concerning the control of transfrontier movements of wastes destined for recovery operations;
2. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue its co-operation with all United Nation bodies, specialized agencies and regional systems and organizations and other appropriate organisations in order to achieve the objectives of the Basel Convention.
The Conference,
Recalling that Article 11 of the Basel Convention permits Parties to enter into bilateral, multilateral or regional agreements or arrangements regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes with Parties or non-Parties provided that such agreements or arrangements do not derogate from the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes as required by the Basel Convention and that these agreements or arrangements shall stipulate provisions which are not less environmentally sound than those provided for by the Convention, in particular taking into account the interest of developing countries,
Having considered document UNEP/CHW.1/16,
1. Requests the Parties to the Basel Convention to notify the Secretariat of the Basel Convention expeditiously of any bilateral, multilateral or regional agreements or arrangements they conclude in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Convention;
2. Also requests its Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to examine the bilateral, multilateral and regional agreements or arrangements communicated to the Secretariat and to present a report on their conformity with the stipulations of Article 11 of the Convention to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 5, which requires the Parties to designate or establish one or more competent authorities and one focal point and to inform the Secretariat of the Basel Convention within three months of the date of the entry into force of the Convention for them of the agencies they have designated as their focal points and their competent authorities,
Having considered document UNEP/CHW.1/13,
Invites Parties which have not yet informed the Secretariat of the designation of their competent authorities and focal points to do so as soon as possible.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 13 which requires the Parties to transmit, through the Secretariat of the Basel Convention. to the Conference of the Parties before the end of each calendar year, a report on the implementation of the Convention during the previous calendar year,
Aware that the Parties were not able to fulfill their obligation fully in conformity with Article 13 due to the recent entry into force of the Convention,
1. Takes note of the note of the Executive Director of UNEP on transmission of information in accordance with Article 13 as contained in document UNEP/CHW. 1/18;
2. Urges the Parties to the Convention to submit to the Secretariat complete reports in accordance with the requirements of Article 13;
3. Requests the Secretariat to prepare an analytical summary of the reports submitted to it and to present the summary to its Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for evaluation of the information contained therein and a report on their findings to the Conference of the Parties at its second meeting;
4. Also requests the Secretariat to submit the analytical summary of the reports, together with the comments of the ad hoc committee thereon, to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.
The Conference,
Recalling paragraph 4 of Article 4 of the Basel Convention, which requests the Parties to take appropriate legal, administrative and other measures to implement and enforce the provisions of the Convention,
Convinced that an essential element of the fulfillment by the Parties of their obligations under the Convention is to promulgate new or adapt existing laws and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Basel Convention,
Aware of the need of States to be assisted - upon request - in the formulation of their law and the development of institutional arrangements in the field of hazardous wastes, in particular in the implementation of the Basel Convention,
1. Takes note of the report of the meeting of experts on model national legislation contained in document UNEP/CHW.1/10 and of the elements of both the model law on the management of hazardous wastes and the model law on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes and their disposal as reflected in Annexes I and 1I to that report;
2. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue its work on development of the model national legislation, taking account of the experience of States;
3. Urges Parties which have not yet developed laws and regulations in conformity with the provisions of the Basel Convention to do so, taking into consideration the model laws referred to in paragraph 1;
4. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to promote co-operation and assist Parties - upon request - in aligning their laws and regulations on the provisions of the Basel Convention.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 14, paragraph 1, which requires co-operation in the establishment of regional or subregional centers for training and technology transfer regarding the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes and the minimization of their generation, according to the specific needs of different regions and subregions,
Also recalling Article 14, paragraph 1, which stipulates that Parties shall decide on the establishment of appropriate funding mechanisms of a voluntary nature for the establishment of such regional or subregional centers,
Taking note of the interest expressed by a number of countries, in particular by Argentina, China, El Salvador, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Poland and Uruguay,
Also noting paragraph 28(a) of the report of the Technical Working Group (to prepare draft technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes subject to the Basel Convention - Geneva, 25- 27 March 1992 - UNEP/CHW/WG.4/2/2) which referred to the urgent need to establish regional centres to ensure an early implementation of the Basel Convention in accordance with Article 14 of the Convention, and recommended to refer this issue to the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
1. Decides that one of the functions of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference will be to identify the specific needs of different regions and subregions for training and technology transfer;
2. Requests its Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to consider these expressions of interest further and to report to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on ways and means for the establishment and functioning of such centres, taking into consideration ongoing or future activities of regional centres or organizations/systems, as well as for the establishment of appropriate funding mechanisms of a voluntary nature for the establishment of such centres.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 14, paragraph 2, of the Basel Convention, which stipulates that "the Parties shall consider the establishment of a revolving fund to assist on an interim basis in case of emergency situations to minimize damage from accidents arising from the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes or during the disposal of those wastes,"
Taking note of document UNEP/CHW.1/6, which includes the elements proposed by the Executive Director of UNEP for the establishment and functioning of such an emergency fund,
1. Requests the ad hoc working group of legal and technical experts established by Decision I/5 to consider, having regard to document UNEP/CHW.1/6 and other relevant UNEP documents the elements that would be required for establishing such an emergency fund. the relationship between such an emergency fund and the rules of procedures to be adopted in the field of liability and compensation, and the availability of institutions able to provide prompt and adequate assistance in emergency situations;
2. Further requests the ad hoc working group to present a progress report on its work to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which includes an analysis of the likely impact of emergency situations of the size and nature of such emergency funds taking into account the past emergency incidents and situations concerning transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes and their disposal.
The Conference,
Expressing its concern at the problem of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes, in particular to developing countries,
Conscious of the negative consequences of the illegal traffic on human health and the environment,
Convinced that the prevention of illegal traffic requires close co-operation among States, with the support of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention and all interested organizations,
1. Welcomes the United Nations Environment Prograrnme (UNEP) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) joint project currently being implemented on monitoring and assessment of illegal traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes in that region;
2. Requests the Secretariat to present an analytical report on the results of the UNEP/ESCAP joint project to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention;
3. Also requests the Secretariat to co-operate with other regional commissions in order to achieve the goal of prevention of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes;
4. Urges the Parties to the Basel Convention that have not yet done so to promulgate laws that consider illegal traffic in hazardous wastes a criminal act;
5. Calls upon Parties in a position to do so to co-operate with the Secretariat to enable it to provide assistance to other Parties for the identification of cases of illegal traffic in accordance with Article 16, paragraph l(i) of the Basel Convention;
6. Requests the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to study ways and means of enhancing the monitoring and prevention of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes and to report its findings to the Conference of the Parties at its second meeting.
The Conference,
Noting paragraph 20.33 (c) of UNCED Agenda 21, Chapter 20, which calls upon countries "to promote the development of control procedures for the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations under the Basel Convention that encourage environmentally and economically sound recycling options;"
Aware of the difference of opinion with respect to the identification of and control procedures for hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations;
Requests its technical working group to review the issue and consider the views submitted by States and interested organizations, giving consideration to criteria that determine whether such wastes are suitable for recovery operations, to present its recommendations on guidelines, procedures or other matters within the framework of the Basel Convention to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 4 of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Basel Convention,
Having considered document UNEP/CHW. 1/2 on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Basel Convention,
Noting the replies provided by governments on institutional, legal and technical measures taken or intended to be taken,
1. Invites all States who have not done so to become Party to the Basel Convention;
2. Invites States -Parties to the Convention to co-operate in developing cleaner production technologies and cleaner products which will lead to the reduction and, as far as practicable, the elimination of the generation of hazardous wastes;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to facilitate co-operation between Parties to this effect.
The Conference,
Recalling Resolution 7 of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Basel Convention,
Taking note of the activities undertaken by the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to review the relevant rules, regulations and practices with respect to the transport of hazardous wastes by sea in light of the Basel Convention,
1. Invites all Parties to the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions which are not Parry to the Basel Convention to become Party to this Convention;
2. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to co-operate further with IMO, and consult, as appropriate, with the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, as well as with other relevant international organisations, in the development of criteria for the definition of hazardous characteristics as referred to in Annex III to the Basel Convention;
3. Invites IMO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and other relevant international and regional organisations to take into consideration the notification and movement document provisionally adopted by the Conference in its Decision I/21 and to provide information to the Secretariat on the use and suggested revisions to such documents for consideration at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 4 of the Basel Convention and Resolution 8 of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Basel Convention,
Taking note of the terms of reference of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference established under Decision I/2,
Having considered document UNEP/CHW. 1/20 on technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes subject to the Convention,
1. Decides to accept the draft technical guidelines contained in document UNEP.CHW. 1.'20 as provisional technical guidelines forming the basis for the production of a formal document;
2. Invites all States and interested organisations to provide written comments on the provisional technical guidelines to the Secretariat of the Basel Convention with a view to their revision and distribution to States and interested organizations as soon as possible or, if necessary, consideration by the Technical Working Group;
3. Further invites all States and interested organizations to give particular attention in their comments to the subject areas listed in the annex to this decision;
4. Decides to extend the mandate of the Technical Working Group to review the revised provisional technical guidelines and to prepare technical guidelines for other priority operations and waste streams subject to the Basel Convention and submit the results of its work to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee;
5. Requests the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to consider and submit the technical guidelines developed in paragraph 4 of this decision to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for adoption;
6. Invites States and interested organizations to co-operate in the preparation of the technical guidelines referred to in paragraph 4 above;
7. Also invites all States and interested organizations to use the technical guidelines referred to in paragraph I above as appropriate and report on their use to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee;
8. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention and pending availability of funds, to facilitate the preparation and use of the technical guidelines referred to in paragraphs 1 and 4 respectively.
1. Further consultation required on the future relevant priorities to be taken into account for the different waste management options and activities.
2. Future technical guidelines should address economic aspects of different proposed disposal and recovery operations as well as preventive measures.
(b) Comments on the provisional Technical Guidelines
The following issues were identified by several States and interest groups as deserving particular attention in comments to be provided on the provisional technical guidelines.
1. A regulatory and enforcement infrastructure is essential to ensure observance of the guidelines.
2. The vital role of the development and adoption of clean technologies must not be underplayed or downvalued. Guidelines should emphasize the importance of technology and environmental audits, rapid implementation of new approaches, substitution of technologies and raw materials, product life cycle analyses etc.
3. Waste management facilities of all sorts should be in the hands of technically competent, trained persons.
4. The principles set out in the draft guidelines provide a preliminary indication of available approaches to the management of waste. Options identified for waste streams require further consideration as to their long term suitability for environmentally sound management. For example, the appropriateness of options D3 and D5 for organic solvents, and the allowable level of PCB in waste oils.
5. Guidelines must never be regarded as providing a "once-and-for-all" indication of appropriate action and will require regular update in line with developing circumstances. Neither should they be regarded as prescriptive or a clear recommendation to use an option in all cases. They provide background information for guidance in decision making.
6. Transfer of technology, so as to make available the benefits of developments, must be encouraged.
7. Waste management activities of all types should be critically assessed as to their effectiveness and value by consideration of matters such as the input/output mass balance and the receiving environmental media.
8. In any consideration of technical guidelines notice must be taken of available capacity and the capability to deal effectively with waste within the areas of each competent authority.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 10, paragraph 1, of the Basel Convention,
Recalling further Resolution A, paragraph 9, of the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries on the Basel Convention,
Taking note of the activities undertaken by UNEP, reflected in document UNEP/CHW 1/15 on international co-operation (Section 1), to facilitate co-operation among Parties, to promote the environmentally sound management of wastes subject to the Basel Convention and to promote public awareness,
1. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention and, as appropriate, in co-operation, with other units in UNEP and other relevant international organisations, to organize national and regional seminars or workshops and training programmes on the implementation of the Basel Convention and the environmentally sound management of wastes and hazardous wastes; and to help promote the adoption of cleaner production methods and new low-waste technologies;
2. Invites Parties to contribute technically and financially towards the organization of seminars, workshops and training programme and towards covering the cost of participation of developing country representatives.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 4, paragraphs 2(f) and 7(c), Article 16, paragraph 1(g), and Annexes V A and V B to the Basel Convention,
Taking note of the draft forms for both the notification and movement documents prepared by the Secretariat of the Basel Convention,
1. Adopts provisionally the proposed notification and movement documents contained in document UNEP/CHW.1/12;
2. Recommends that the Parties to the Basel Convention use the proposed notification and movement documents and the forms in document UNEP/CHW.1/12 when consenting to or rejecting a proposed transboundary movement of hazardous wastes;
3. Encourages Parties to provide information to the Secretariat on the use of documents and to consider appropriate provisions at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
Recalling the aims of the Basel Convention to reduce to a minimum the generation of hazardous wastes and other wastes, to ensure that whatever is produced is disposed of in an environmentally sound and efficient manner as close to the point of generation as possible, and to prevent the transboundary movement of such wastes if there is reason to believe that the wastes in question will not be managed in an environmentally sound manner,
Further recalling that, in the interest of protecting human health and the environment, the fourth ACP/EEC Convention of 15 December 1989 (Lome IV) and the Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes within Africa of 30 January 1991, both of which prohibit transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to developing countries, and the former which required ACP States to prohibit the direct or indirect import of hazardous wastes into their territory from the European Community or from any other country,
Conscious that during the negotiations leading to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), developing countries called for the prohibition of hazardous waste shipments from industrialised to developing countries,
Recalling decision I/16 regarding the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations,
Reaffirming the obligations of all Parties, including industrialised countries, as provided for in the Convention, to prohibit the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes to Parties which have prohibited their import and to non-Parties,
1. Requests the industrialised countries to prohibit transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes for disposal to developing countries without prejudice to paragraph 2;
2. Notes that until the Conference of the Parties receives and acts upon the report of the Technical Working Group referred to in Decision I/16 and until appropriate measures are taken pursuant to paragraph 7 of Article 15, transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes destined for recovery and recycling operations take place in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and in particular the requirement that the waste be handled in an environmentally sound manner;
3. Requests industrialised countries to inform the Secretariat of the Basel Convention of the measures undertaken in order to implement paragraph 1;
4. Further requests developing countries to prohibit the import of hazardous wastes from industrialised countries;
5. Also requests developing countries to inform the Secretariat of the Basel Convention of the measures undertaken in order to implement paragraph 4;
6. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to report to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on the information received pursuant to paragraphs 3 and 5 above.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21
The Conference,
Recalling Agenda 21 adopted by UNCED in June 1992, aware of the fact that a number of the activities mentioned in Chapters 20 and 21 of Agenda 21 are either on-going or initiated under the Basel Convention,
Having considered document UNEP/CHW. 1/7/Add. 1,
1. Invites the Parties to the Convention to co-operate with each other directly or through the Secretariat of the Basel Convention in the implementation of activities related to the Basel Convention contained in Chapters 20 and 21 of Agenda 21;
2. Calls on the Basel Convention Secretariat, in co-operation with other relevant units in UNEP, as well as with other relevant organs and organisations of the United Nations system, to carry out, as a priority and within available resources, the activities listed in paragraph 3 of document UNEP/CHW.1/7/Add.l.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/5 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention establishing an ad hoc working group of legal and technical experts to consider and develop a draft protocol on liability and compensation, possibly including the establishment of an International Fund for compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal,
Having considered the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group, attached to the note of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/3,
1. Decides to extend the mandate of the Ad Hoc Working Group;
2. Notes with appreciation the progress report presented to it by the Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts to consider and develop a draft protocol on liability and compensation for damage resulting from transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to address the questionnaire requiring information on the factual basis concerning liability and compensation to States Patties and non-Parties to the Basel Convention and to present a report on this subject to the next meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group;
4. Requests States to respond to the Secretariat questionnaire as soon as possible;
5. Requests the Ad Hoc Working Group to make all efforts to finalise the proposed draft Articles of the Protocol in order to present it for consideratifon and possible adoption by the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.
The Conference.
Recalling Article 14, paragraph 2, of the Basel Convention, which stipulates that "the Parties shall consider the establishment of a revolving fund to assist on an interim basis in case of emergency situations to minimize damage from accidents arising from the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes or during the disposal of those wastes,"
Further recalling Decision I/14 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention which requested the Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts established by Decision I/5 to consider the elements that would be required for establishing such an emergency fund, the relationship between such an emergency fund and the rules of procedures to be adopted in the field of liability and compensation, and the availability of institutions able to provide prompt and adequate assistance in emergency situations,
Having considered the related parts of the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts in relation to the implementation of Decision I/14 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on "Emergency Fund" as well as the note of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/4,
1. Requests the Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts to continue the consideration of the elements that would be required for establishing an emergency fund, and the relationship between such an emergency fund and the Protocol on Liability and Compensation under consideration by the same group;
2. Further requests the Ad Hoc Working Group to present a progress report on its work to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
The Conference:
Recalling Decision I/2 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention by which it has established the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee,
1. Welcomes the work of the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee and request it to meet as necessary between the meetings of the Conference of the Parties in order to fulfill the task placed on it by the Conference of the Parties, subject to available resources;
2. Requests the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee to fulfill the task placed on it by decisions II/5, II/10, II/11, II/12, II/14, II/16, II/17,II/18, II/l9, II/22, II/26 and II/27 and present a report on its work to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to convene the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee and any subgroups the Committee needs to establish to facilitate its work, subject to available resources.
The Conference.
Expressing its concern at the problems of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes, in particular to developing countries and to the countries in transition,
Recalling Decision I/15 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/8,
Having further considered the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee recommendations contained in its Decision I/6 on "Illegal Traffic in Hazardous Wastes and other Wastes,"
1. Requests the Parties to promulgate or develop stringent national legislation on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes taking into account the elements contained in document UNEP/CHW/C.1/1/7;
2. Further requests the Parties to incorporate in their legal systems, appropriate sanctions or penalties for the illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes;
3. Requests the regional commissions and secretariats of regional conventions and protocols to take an effective role in the monitoring and prevention of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes and to coordinate their efforts and activities in this regard with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention;
4. Requests all governments to promote the interministerial coordination within the respective government to prevent and penalize illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes;
5. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to:
a) Assist Parties in developing national legislation to deal with illegal traffic and hazardous wastes and other wastes;
b) Assist Parties in capacity-building including the development of an appropriate infrastructure with a view of the prevention and penalization of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes and to ensure the involvement of national authorities and focal points for the Basel Convention in the prevention and monitoring of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes;
c) Liaise with the various regional commissions and secretariats of regional conventions and protocols with a view to promoting the development of compatible regional mechanisms and systems;
d) Promote the implementation of the appropriate parts of chapter 20 of Agenda 21 related to the illegal traffic in hazardous wastes, in particular its section D.
In this regard a report should be presented to the relevant substantive session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development;
e) Continue its cooperation with the Customs Co-operation Council Secretariat with a view to ensure better control of import and export of hazardous wastes and other wastes and in particular to identify hazardous wastes and other wastes subjected to the Basel Convention in the Harmonized System;
f) Include, in cooperation with the governments concerned, the Customs Cooperation Council and the international Maritime Organization, the training of customs and ports officers in relation to the import and export of hazardous wastes and other wastes in its programme of training activities;
g) Receive, collate and disseminate information on illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes promptly and systematically with a view to ensuring that hazardous waste detected and rejected by one country is not dumped in another;
h) Explore the possibility of cooperation with Interpol in cases of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes;
I) Establish a well-defined reporting system on cases of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes, which would:
i) Request Parties to report to the Secretariat on any cases of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes as defined by the Basel Convention and the actions taken to monitor and prevent such cases, and
ii) Include a submission by the Secretariat to the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention of reports, based on information received from the Parties, on cases of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes and-the publication of these reports;
iii) Enhance its cooperation in the prevention and monitoring of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes with non-governmental organizations, industry and the private sector;
iv) Submit a report on the above-mentioned activities to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.
The Conference
Recalling paragraph 4 of Article 4 of the Basel Convention which requests the Parties to take appropriate legal, administrative and other measures to implement and enforce the provisions of the Convention,
Convinced that an essential element of the fulfilment by the Parties of their obligations under the Convention is to promulgate new or adapt existing laws and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Basel Convention,
Aware of the need of States to be assisted - upon request - in the formulation of their law and the development of institutional arrangements in the field of hazardous wastes, in particular in the implementation of the Basel Convention,
1. Accepts as a possible guideline the revised draft model national legislation annexed to the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/5.
2. Requests the Secretariat to make available as a possible guideline the revised draft model national legislation to Parties as well as to non-Parties.
3. Also requests the Secretariat in providing technical assistance in the field of national legislation, to take into account, inter alias the revised draft model national legislation.
4. Invites Parties and non-Parties to communicate to the Secretariat their comments on the revised draft model national legislation.
6. Further requests the Secretariat to update, as necessary, the revised draft model national legislation and to report to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the implementation of the Convention.
The Conference,
Recalling Article S which requires the Parties to designate or establish one or more competent authorities and one focal point and to inform the Secretariat of the Basel Convention within three months of the date of the entry into force of the Convention for them, of the agencies they have designated as their competent authorities and focal point,
Also recalling Decision I/10 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.1 7,
Invites Parties which have not yet informed the Secretariat of the designation of their competent authorities and focal points to do so as soon as possible.
The Conference.
Recalling Decision I/4 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties related to the harmonisation of the Basel Convention and London Convention, 1972 and the cooperation between the Secretariat of the both Conventions in order to achieve this aim,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.n123,
1. Welcomes the response of the Contracting Parties to the London Convention, 1972 to the request made to them by Decision I/4 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention;
2. Invites the remaining Parties to the London Convention, 1972 who are not Parties to the Basel Convention to become Parties in order to facilitate the coordination and harmonisation of the two Conventions;
3. Welcomes the decision by the 16th Consultative Meeting of the London Convention, 1972 to prohibit the dumping of industrial wastes and radioactive wastes and other radioactive matter at sea, as well the incineration at sea of industrial and sewage sludge;
4. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue its cooperation with the London Convention, 1972 in the preparatory process for the amendment of the London Convention, 1972 in order to achieve the goal of harmonisation of the two Conventions and to report to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.
The Conference.
Recalling Decision I/6 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on the harmonization of the procedure of the Basel Convention and the Code of Practice on the international transboundary movements of radioactive waste,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/25,
1. Welcomes the adoption of the Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on Board Ships;
2. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Maritime Organization in relation to the implementation of the Code;
3. Further requests the Secretariat to continue its cooperation with the IAEA for the implementation of IAEA's General Conference Resolution GC(XXXVII)/Res/615, dated October 1993, which requested the Director General to initiate preparations for a convention on the safety of waste management as soon as the on- going process of developing waste management safety fundamentals has resulted in broad international agreement.
The Conference,
Recalling the Decisions adopted by the Governing Council of UNEP at its seventeenth session in May 1993 on:
* Application of environmental norms by military establishments (17/5)
* Carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel by sea (17/13)
* Environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes (17/18)
Having considered the report by the Secretariat on the follow-up to the UNEP Governing Council Decisions 17/5,17/13 and 17/18 contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/29,
1. Take note of the fact that the Secretariat of the Basel Convention has been given the responsibility, in cooperation with other units of UNEP, to work on matters closely related to the Basel Convention through the implementation of the Governing Council Decisions 17/5, 17/13 and 17/18;
2. Appreciate that the part of the work undertaken by the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to implement the Governing Council Decision 17/5, 17/13 and 17/18 which are not part of the work programme adopted by the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Basel Convention has been supported financially from funds from UNEP.
The Conference.
Recalling that Article 11, paragraph 1, of the Basel Convention permits Parties to enter into bilateral, multilateral and regional agreements or arrangements regarding the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes or other wastes with Parties and non-Parties provided that such agreements or arrangements do not derogate from the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes as required by the Basel Convention and that these agreements or arrangements shall stipulate provisions which are not less environmentally sound than those provided for by the Convention, in particular taking into account the interest of developing countries,
Recalling that Article 11, paragraph 2, provides that the provisions of the Basel Convention shall not affect transboundary movements which are taking place pursuant to agreements concluded prior to the entry into force of the Basel Convention for the relevant Parties of such agreements provided that such agreements are compatible with the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes as required by the Basel Convention.
Recalling Decision I/9 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.219 on the implementation of Decision I/9 referred to above,
Requests Parties which have entered, in accordance with Article 11, into bilateral, multilateral and regional agreements or arrangements to report, consistent with national laws and regulations, to the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee, through the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, on the conformity of such agreements or arrangements taking into consideration the list of questions annexed to this decision.
Annex
Questions to be considered by Parties to Bilateral Multilateral or Regional Agreements or arrangements when reporting on their conformity with the provisions of Article 11 of the Convention.
In preparation of its report to the Conference of the Parties, the following questions could be used as guidance by a Party when it is reviewing one of its agreements which falls under Article 11. The questions would help the Party focus on particular issues, however it is important to note that the agreement must be viewed in its entirely and not strictly provision by provision. It is also recognized that the purpose of the said agreement and the geographic, legal and economic circumstances of the other Contracting Party(ies) constitute elements of this review. A Party's Report would have to indicate that the different requirements found in paragraph 1 or 9 of Article 11, as appropriate, are met in conformity with the Basel Convention.
1. Does the Agreement address the control of the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes subject to the Basel Convention?
2. Taking all practicable steps, will the management of hazardous wastes under the Agreement or arrangement be such that it will protect human health and the environment against adverse effects?
3. How does the Agreement or arrangement take into account the interests of developing countries?
4. Does the Agreement or arrangement require prior notification?
5. Does the Agreement or arrangement require prior consent?
6. Does the Agreement or arrangement provide for the tracking of the wastes?
7. Does the Agreement or arrangement provide for alternate measures for wastes which cannot be managed as planneds
8. Does the Agreement or arrangement provide for the identification of authorities responsible for the implementation of such an Agreement?
9. Are the obligations of the Article 11 Agreement or arrangement consistent with the control measures related to transboundary movements of hazardous wastes as provided for by the Basel Convention?
10. Are the wastes covered by the Article 11 Agreement and arrangement consistent with the scope of the Basel Convention?
The Conference,
Having considered the issue of the scope of the Basel Convention in relation to its applicability to radioactive waste as raised by the Secretariat in document UNEP/CHW.2/26,
1. Invites Parties and non-Parties to present their views on this issue to the Secretariat of the Basel Convention,
2. Requests the Secretariat on the basis of these views in collaboration with the IAEA to prepare a document for further consideration by the Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the Implementation of the Convention.
Recalling the request of the G-77 countries at the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in Uruguay, 30 November - 4 December 1992, for the total ban on all exports of hazardous wastes from OECD countries to non-OECD countries;
Recognizing that transboundary movements of hazardous wastes from OECD to non-OECD States have a high risk of not constituting an environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes as required by the Basel Convention;
1. Decides to prohibit immediately all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes which are destined for final disposal from OECD to non-OECD States;
2. Decides also to phase out by 31 December 1997, and prohibit as of that date, all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes which are destined for recycling or recovery operations from OECD to non-OECD States;
3. Decides further that any non-OECD State, not possessing a national hazardous wastes import ban and which allows the import from OECD States of hazardous wastes for recycling or recovery operation until 31 December 1997, should inform the Secretariat of the Basel Convention that it would allow the import from an OECD State of hazardous wastes for recycling or recovery operations by specifying the categories of hazardous wastes which are acceptable for import; the quantities to be imported; the specific recycling/recovery process to be used; and the final destination/disposal of the residues which are derived from recycling/recovery operations;
4. Requests the Parties to report regularly to the Secretariat on the implementation of this decision, including details of the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes allowed under paragraph 3 above. Further requests the Secretariat to prepare a summary and to compile these reports for consideration by the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee. After considering these reports, the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee will submit a report based on the input provided by the Secretariat to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention;
5. Requests further the Parties to cooperate and work actively to ensure the effective implementation of this decision.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision 1/19 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention accepting the Framework Document on the Preparation of Technical Guidelines and the four Technical Guidelines on priority waste streams and extending the mandate of the Technical Working Group to review the revised three Draft Technical Guidelines on Disposal Operations and to prepare Technical Guidelines for other priority operations and wastes streams subject to the Basel Convention,
Further recalling the Decision I/7 of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee on Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of Wastes subject to the Basel Convention recommending that the Conference of the Parties adopts the three draft Technical Guidelines on Disposal Operations (Specially Engineered Landfill D5; Incineration on Land D10: Used Oil Re-refining or other Re-uses of Previously Used Oil R9) and extend the mandate of the Technical Working Group with the aim to continue the preparation of new technical guidelines as identified by the Group itself, namely on:
(I) First priority: D9 Physico-chernical treatment; R4 Recycling/reclamation of metals and metal compounds: Y17 Wastes resulting from surface treatment of metals and plastics;
(II) Second priority: Yl Clinical wastes; D8 Biological treatment; R1 Use as fuel; R2 Solvent reclamation/regeneration .
Having considered the report of the Secretariat on the Implementation of Decision I/19 which contains the Framework Document and the four Technical Guidelines on Priority Waste Streams (document UNEP/CHW.2./10) and the three Technical Guidelines on Priority Disposal Operations ( document IJNEP/CHW.9/1 0/Add . 1 ),
Noting with appreciation the progress achieved by the Technical Working Group in the preparation of the Framework Document and the Technical Guidelines for Priority Waste Streams and Disposal Operations subject to the Basel Convention:
1. Confirms adoption of the Framework Document on the Preparation of Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of Wastes Subject to the Basel Convention and the four sets Technical Guidelines, namely on Hazardous Wastes from the Production and Use of Organic Solvents (Y6), on Waste Oils from Petroleum Origins and Sources (Y8), on Wastes Comprising or Containing PCBs, PCTs and PBBs (Y10), and on Waste Collected from Household (Y46); and requests the Secretariat to publish and disseminate the Framework Document and the four Technical Guidelines between Parties and non-Parties together with a cover note explaining the nature of the document;
2. Adopts provisionally the three draft Technical Guidelines on: Specially Engineered Landfill (D5), on Incineration on Land (D10) and Used Oil Re-refining or other Re-uses of Previously Used Oil, subject to the additional comments to be provided to the Secretariat by States and concerned international organizations, and to publish and disseminate them to Parties and non-Parties;
3. Extends the mandate of the Technical Working Group with the aim for this Group to: further revise as appropriate the Draft Technical Guidelines adopted provisionally and to continue the preparation of new technical guidelines as identified by the Technical Working Group, namely on:
First priority
D9 Physico-chemical treatment
R4 Recycling/reclamation of metals and metals compounds
Y17 Wastes resulting from surface treatment of metals and plastics
Second priority
Y1 Clinical wastes
D8 Biological treatment
R1 Use as a fuel
R2 Solvent reclamation/regeneration.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/16 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention requesting its Technical Working Group to review the issue and consider the views submitted by States and interested organizations and to present its recommendations to the Parties at their second meeting,
Noting paragraph 20.33 (c) of UNCED Agenda 21, chapter 20, which calls upon countries "to promote the development of control procedures for the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations under the Basel Convention that encourage environmentally and economically sound recyclable options."
Also recalling Decision I/7 of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee recommending to the Conference to extend the mandate of the Technical Working Group to further develop the draft paper on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations, and to invite interested Parties and non-Parties, and as the case may be nongovernmental organizations and/or the private sector to prepare, in association with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, two or three case-studies related to recovery operations involving two countries in full respect of the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes destined to such recovery operations,
Having considered the draft paper on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations annexed to the note of the Secretariat (UNEP/CHW.2/12),
1. Welcomes the draft paper on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations;
2. Decides to extend the mandate of the Technical Working Group to further develop this draft paper on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations, taking into account the comments formulated by States and interested organisations and to present a revised version of this document to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for adoption in consultation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee;
3. Requests Parties together with non-Parties, and as the case may be non-governmental organisations, including the private sector to prepare, in association with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, two or three case studies along the lines developed in the terms of reference annexed to this Decision, related to recovery operations involving two countries in full respect of the environmentally sound management of the hazardous wastes destined to such recovery operations.
4. Further requests the Technical Working Group to develop guidance to assist States on the question of hazardous wastes under the Basel Convention, including hazardous wastes destined for recovery operations and in co-operation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to present such guidance to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for consideration.
Annex
Proposed Terms of Reference for the Case-Studies on the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes destined for Recovery Operations
a. Identify the hazardous waste streams that are subject to recovery operations and the national/domestic infrastructure including legal and administrative arrangements that sustain such operations.
b. Describe the existing trade in wastes identified and the structure and characteristics of the industries involved.
c. Identify the technological options for the management of these wastes including their economic and technical aspects.
d. Carry out a practical assessment of these facilities which recover the hazardous wastes, how the residues arising from the process are being disposed of and their impact on the health and the environment.
e. Compare environmental and economic aspects of the recovery of secondary raw material from hazardous wastes and the production from virgin materials taking into account the disposal of any residues generated through the process.
The Conference,
Recalling Article 1 of the Basel Convention concerning the scope of the Convention, in particular its paragraph l (a),
Having considered the report by the Secretariat on possible effects of the Basel convention on the transboundary movements of waste ozone-depleting chemicals, including halons, intended for recovery contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/11,
Also noting the consideration of the Technical Working Group in regard to its role in the case of a need for technical interpretation of the Convention:
1. Requests its Technical Working Group in close cooperation with the Ozone Secretariat to further work on the issue of the classification of the waste ozone-depleting chemicals as hazardous wastes in accordance with the Basel Convention definition;
2. Also requests its Technical Working Group to perform the functions of its advisory body in case of a need for technical interpretation of the Convention;
3. Further requests its Technical Working Group to report on the issue of waste ozone-depleting chemicals and any cases involving a technical interpretation of the Convention to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/21 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopting, provisionally, the forms for both the Notification and the Movement Document and recommending to Parties to use these forms,
Noting that some delegations to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee emphasized the need to harmonize the forms of the Basel Convention with related forms being developed by the OECD and the EU (Paragraph 16 of the Report of the First Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the implementation of the Basel Convention),
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/1 1,
1. Requests the Parties to continue using the forms adopted provisionally and to inform the Secretariat on their experience on the use of these forms;
2. Requests the Secretariat to continue its work on the format of the Notification and Movement Document based on the replies received and comments to be sent by the Parties and international organizations concerned to the Secretariat by June 1994;
3. Instructs the Secretariat to report on paragraphs ( I ) and (2) above to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in consultation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee, and to present its recommendations for any changes to be made to the Notification and Movement Document.
The Conference.
Recalling Article 13 of the Basel Convention which stipulates that the Parties to the Convention shall. through the Secretariat provide information to each other and in some cases also to non-Party States on a set of issues concerning transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal,
Further recalling Decision I/11 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties which requested the Secretariat to prepare an analytical summary of the reports submitted to it and to present the summary to its Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for evaluation of the information contained therein and a report on their findings to the Conference of the Parties at its Second Meeting,
Having considered the information provided by the Parties of the Convention presented in documents UNEP/CHW/C.1/1/5 and UNEP/CHW.2/15 (ret. also the compiled information provided in documents UNEP/CHW/C.l/l/Inf. 3 and UNEP/CHW.2.1Inf. 5) and Decision I/4 of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee,
1. Urges Parties to report, as soon as possible, to the Secretariat in accordance with Article 13, on activities undertaken in 1993, using the form provided by the Secretariat for this purpose;
2. Also urges those Parties who have already presented an interim report for 1993 to provide any complementary information, as necessary, well in time, in order to enable the Secretariat to prepare a comprehensive analytical summary of the information provided by the Parties for the whole of 1993 to be considered by the next meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the implementation of the Basel Convention;
3. Further requests the Secretariat to issue in one document all information received up to date and presented in various documents and distributed to Parties, non Parties and non governmental organisations.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/4 of the First Meeting of the-Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee inviting the Conference to consider the need to develop an electronic information system and integrated telecommunications network to improve data gathering, organisation, treatment and dissemination, and to provide assistance to developing countries in the collection and processing of these databases on a detailed request by the Secretariat that includes relevant technical and financial requirements,
Having considered the report by the Secretariat on the establishment of the Information Management System of the Basel Convention contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/16,
1. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to develop the Information Management System of the Basel Convention based on the outcome of the preliminary review, and to report on progress to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in consultation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee;
2. Requests the Parties to allocate adequate financial resources for a minimum period of two years (1994-95), taking into account the costs estimated as indicated under paragraph 9, to allow the Secretariat to develop the Information Management System.
3. Also requests the Parties to make additional contribution for the budget for 1994 to allow starting of the establishment of the information management system already in 1994 subject to availability of resources.
The Conference.
Recalling Decision I/13 on the Establishment of Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in which it was decided that one of the functions of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference would be to identify the specific needs of different regions and subregions for training and technology transfer and to report to the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on ways and means for the establishment and functioning of such Centres, including considering appropriate funding mechanisms for this purpose,
Having considered the note of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/19,
Having further considered the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee recommendations contained in its Decision I/15 on "Establishment of Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer (annexed),"
Requests the Conference of the Parties to provide a strong mandate for the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee at its second meeting, as already proposed in Committee Decision I/5, to conclude the selection of sites for the establishment of regional centre(s) based on the results of the feasibility studies and taking into account the existence of any related regional centre and inform the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the decision taken to enable the initiation of activities for the establishment of the regional centre(s).
Annex
COMMITTEE DECISION US ON ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL CENTRES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
The Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee.
Recalling Decision I/13 on Establishment of Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer adopted by the Parties at their first meeting.
Also recalling Agenda 21 adopted by UNCED in June 1992 regarding the establishment of regional centres for training and technology transfer as outlined in paras 20.28(d) and 20.31(e) of Chapter 20 of Agenda 21.
Having considered the report by the Secretariat (UNEP/CHW/C.1/1/6 of 18 August 1993) on information received from the interested Parties to the Basel Convention in relation to the Establishment of Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer.
Convinced that States should cooperate to ensure the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and the minimization of their generation, according to the specific needs of different regions and sub-regions.
Recognizing that cooperation in the establishment of regional or subregional centres for training and technology transfer will facilitate the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and minimisation of their generation.
Recommends that the following guidelines be used as a basis to determine the suitability of a potential pilot centre(s):
a) Presence or potential use of an existing suitable facility, e.g. technology centre, university;
b) Having access to appropriately-qualified individuals suitable for a hazardous waste management training programme and who can act as future instructors or trainers;
c) Availability of a personnel pool to implement a hazardous waste management system:
d) Commitment to invest time and resources into the maintenance, continuation and advancement of the centre;
e) Programme must be fully recognized and promoted by senior government authorities;
f) Centres should be located in a reasonably accessible area within a candidate region.
Invites those countries in a position to do so, individually or collectively, on a bilateral or multilateral basis, to consider supplying financial resources and technically qualified person(s) recruited from either government or the private sector to collaborate in the preparation of the feasibility study(ies) in the candidate regions.
Each feasibility study should include:
a) Identifying and prioritising the needs of the region;
b) Identifying the resources available in the region;
c) Identifying the resources required to address the needs;
d) Identifying the benefits to be gained through establishment of a pilot centre;
e) Obtaining views from candidate regions as to the types of technical assistance or training they consider to be of the highest priority;
f) Determining if a centre is immediately required to address the prioritized needs;
g) Determining what resources are available from each candidate region and what resources would be required.
Invites the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to take the necessary steps for the preparation of feasibility studies in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. This may involve acting as a liaison with individual host countries to provide for local support for the person(s) conducting the feasibility study. The candidate region should also provide, as appropriate, qualified person(s) to assist the technical representative in conducting the feasibility study.
Requests the Secretariat to prepare a report, based on a review of the feasibility studies, for distribution to all Parties and Signatories.
Requests the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, based on the completion of the feasibility studies, to select sites for the establishment of regional centre(s). In case this is not possible, requests the Conference of the Parties to provide the mandate to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee to conclude the selection and inform the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the decision taken to initiate activities for the establishment of the regional centre(s).
The Conference.
Recalling Decision I/20 adopted by the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties which requested the Secretariat of the Basel Convention-and, as appropriate, in cooperation with other units in UNEP and other relevant international organizations, to organize national and regional seminars or workshops and training programmes on the implementation of the Basel Convention and the environmentally sound management of wastes and hazardous wastes; and to help promote the adoption of cleaner production methods and new low-waste technologies and invited Parties to contribute technically and financially towards the organization of seminars, workshops and training programmes and towards covering the cost of participation of developing country representatives,
Recognizing the need of developing countries, Parties of the Convention, for assistance through training activities to facilitate the implementation of the Basel Convention,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/20,
1. Requests the Secretariat, within available resources, to assist Parties and regions to develop training programmes, including curricula at national level in collaboration with national authorities, and continue to organize national and regional seminars or workshops and training programmes and curricula on the implementation of the Basel Convention and the environmentally sound management of wastes and hazardous wastes.
2. Further requests the Secretariat to promote the adoption of cleaner production methods and new low-waste technologies, in collaboration with relevant units in UNEP and other relevant international organizations, in particular with the Industry and Environment Programme Activity Centre of UNEP and UNITAR;
3. Also requests the Secretariat to continue promoting the environmentally sound management of wastes subject to the Basel Convention and to promote public awareness through participation in related international conferences, symposiums and seminars in order to make presentations and give lectures and to publish the newsletter and publications in this field:
4. Invites all Parties who are in position to do so to contribute technically, through, for example, contributions in kind of resource persons, and financially towards the organization of seminars, workshops and training programmes and towards covering the costs of participation of developing country representatives.
The Conference.
Recalling Decision I/23 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on the Role of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention in the Implementation of Agenda 21 which called upon the Secretariat to carry out, within available resources, as a priority, a list of activities on issues raised in Agenda 21 which have relevance to the Basel Convention,
Aware of the need for assistance to developing countries in implementing the Convention,
And aware that Agenda 21 seeks to promote the development of control procedures for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste destined for recovery operations under the Basel Convention that encourage environmentally economically sound recycling operations.
Recognizing that very limited resources are available under the Convention to undertake this task,
1. Invites Parties and other countries to provide additional financial resources to the Technical Cooperation Trust Fund to enable the Secretariat to assist developing countries effectively in implementing the Convention, through the priority activities to be undertaken as set out in Agenda 21, and referred to in Decision 1/23;
2. Invites Parties and other countries to consider providing resource persons, experts in hazardous- waste-related issues, to advise developing countries, as required, in order to strengthen their institutional capacities in relation to the priority activities referred to in Decision V23.
The Conference,
Recalling that the Parties at their first meeting were apprised of the information base being developed as a result of the Global Waste Survey and the potential benefit of such information in future decision-making on technical guidelines, technical centres, training and other capacity-building activities identified in Decision I/23 of the Conference concerning the role of the Secretariat in the implementation of Agenda 21 of UNCED,
Further recalling that during the sixteenth Consultative Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the London Convention 1972 (November 1993) a number of parties to the London Convention 1972, which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, and the participating countries in the Global Waste Survey recognised that the Secretariat of the Basel Convention would be an appropriate forum to take over the Global Waste Survey, when the transitional phase carried out is completed,
Having considered the report by the Secretariat on the Global Waste Survey contained in document UNEP/CHW.2124,
1. Requests the Secretariat to review further the relevance of the Global Waste Survey to the work of the Basel Convention and to report to the Bureau on its findings;
2. Requests, subject to the outcome of the review, the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to inform the Office for the London Convention 1972 on the readiness of the Parties to the Convention to keep, maintain, review and update the Global Waste Inventory and Database as from 1995;
3. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to continue cooperating closely with IMO, the concerned UNEP offices, namely IEfPAC and IRPTC/PAC and with other interested intergovernmental organizations, in particular WHO, in the conduct of the Global Waste Survey;
4. Further requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to report on the decision of the Bureau and on any progress in the transfer and management of the Global Waste Inventory and Database to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in consultation with the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the Implementation of the Basel Convention.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/8 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention requesting the Secretariat to continue its cooperation with all United Nations bodies, specialised agencies and regional systems and organizations, and other appropriate organizations in order to achieve the objectives of the Basel Convention,
Further recalling that the Parties at their first meeting agreed that the Secretariat of the Basel Convention should cooperate specially with the Customs Cooperation Council, and possibly IMO and other competent organisations in order to find means to achieve effective control at borders for transboundary movements of wastes (ref. paragraph 27 of the First Meeting of the Parties to the Basel Convention),
Having considered the report by the Secretariat on the implementation of Decision I/8 contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/21,
1. Requests the Secretariat to continue its cooperation with the United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and regional systems and organisations and other international and regional organizations in the pursuance of the fulfillment of the obligations and achievement of the objectives of the Basel Convention,
2. Further requests the Secretariat to cooperate specifically with the Customs Co-operation Council and other relevant organisations in order to examine the possibility and practicability of including separate headings or sub-headings for hazardous wastes in the Harmonized System of the Customs Co-operation Council in order to enhance border control of these wastes.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/18 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties requesting the Secretariat to cooperate farther with international Maritime Organization, and consult, as appropriate, with the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, as well as with other relevant international organizations, in the development of criteria for the definition of hazardous characteristics,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat on the implementation of Decision I/18 contained in document UNEP/CHW.2122,
1. Requests the Secretariat to continue its cooperation, in particular, with the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the International Programme of Chemical Safety, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union in the development of criteria for the definition of those hazardous characteristics which are currently not well defined, for the wastes subject to the Basel Convention and giving consideration to the work done in the respective intergovernmental organisations as well as in industrial organizations, to report to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on progress made in this issue:
2. Further requests its Technical Working Group to consider the issue of the development of criteria for the definition of those hazardous characteristics which are currently not well defined to review the report of the Informal Inter-Secretariats Consultation and to present its recommendations on the criteria and other matters required within the framework of the Basel Convention, to the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.
The Conference,
Recalling Decision I/17 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, by which the Conference invited all States that had not done so to become Party to the Basel Convention,
Also recalling that in the same decision States Parties to the Convention were invited to cooperate in developing cleaner production technologies and cleaner products which would lead to the reduction and, as far as practicable, the elimination of the generation of hazardous wastes and the Secretariat of the Basel Convention was requested to facilitate cooperation between Parties to this effect,
Having considered the report prepared by the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW 2/27,
1. Invites all States that have not done so to become Party to the Basel Convent-ion;
2. Invites all Parties to the Convention who are currently using waste-minimization and cleaner production methods/technologies in their industrial processes to facilitate and cooperate in the transfer of such technologies to other interested Parties;
3. Appeals to all Parties who have not yet replied to the request from the Secretariat on initiatives taken by their respective Governments on cooperation on cleaner production technologies to do so at their earliest convenience to enable the Secretariat to circulate such information to all Parties to enable them to benefit from it;
4. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention and, as appropriate, in cooperation with other units in UNEP, in particular the Industry and Environment Programme Activity Centre and other relevant United Nations organizations, to promote the development and adoption of cleaner production methods and new low-waste technologies leading to reduction of the generation of hazardous wastes by undertakings inter aria, the following activities:
(a) Through the Technical Working Group of the Basel Convention identification of waste streams susceptible to cleaner production approaches;
(b) Identification of policy instruments which may promote improved waste minimization approaches at the national level, including estimation of incremental costs of implementing such policy instruments;
(c) Promotion of cleaner production through a more wide-ranging United Nations mechanism;
(d) In cooperation with other organisations, provision of printed material on cleaner production, including policy issues, to Parties, and organisation of training courses and workshops on those issues;
(e) Provision of information exchange in technology assessment capacity;
(f) Mobilization of resources for cleaner production activities;
5. Invites Parties and other interested States and organizations through joint cooperation and other means. to contribute technically and financially towards the organization of workshops and seminars on the issue of waste minimization and cleaner production methods and the introduction of proven and environmentally sound technologies for disposal of hazardous wastes.
The Conference
Recalling Decision I/3 of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
Having considered the report of the Secretariat contained in document UNEP/CHW.2/7,
1. Approves the Manual for immediate use;
2. Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to ensure the dissemination of the Manual to all Parties and signatories in all the official languages of the United Nations;
3. Requests the Parties to ensure the wide dissemination of the Manual to legal or natural persons involved in the generation, export, import and/or disposal of hazardous wastes who express interest in receiving the Manual in order to make full use of the information contained therein;
4. Further requests the Secretariat to ask all Parties and non-Parties to comment on the Manual and, taking into account these comments, to prepare a revised Manual in consultation with the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee for the consideration of the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.
Having reviewed the development in the implementation of the decisions of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties:
Recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its Second Meeting consider the following decision for adoption:
The Conference,
Having considered the experience of its Bureau and the Secretariat during the period between the First and Second Meetings of the Conference of the Parties,
I. Institutional arrangements
1. Decides to expand its Bureau, when convened between two meetings of the Conference of the Parties, to include five additional representatives of Governments who served as officers of the previous Bureau of the Conference of the Parties. Within the policy agreed by the Conference of the Parties, the expanded Bureau shall:
(a) Provide general policy and general operational directions to the Secretariat between meetings of the Conference of the Parties;
(b) Provide guidance and advice to the Secretariat on the preparation of agendas and other requirements of meetings and on any other matters brought to it by the Secretariat in the exercise of its function;
(c) Oversee the development and execution of the Secretariat's budget as derived from the Trust Funds and other sources, and also all aspects of fund raising undertaken by the Secretariat;
(d) Draft decisions for consideration by the Conference of the Parties;
(e) Report to the Conference of the Parties on the activities it has carried out between meetings of the Conference of the Parties;
(f) Perform any other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Conference of the Parties.
II. Financial arrangements
1. Approves the distribution of the contributions of the Parties to the budget of 1994, as provisionally adopted by the Ad Hoc Committee at its meeting in October 1993 reflecting its most recent changes in the scale of assessment of the United Nations;
2. Endorses the decision of the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties at its first meeting as approved by the Ad Hoc Committee which, inter alias approved the survey of the personnel of the Secretariat including levels and job descriptions, approved the proposed changes in the 1993 budget and adopted the 1994 budget with the proposed changes in components 1100 and 1300, and requests the Secretariat to take all actions necessary to ensure that the grades of the staff members are reflected as recommended;
3. Expresses its concern over the delays in payment of the agreed contributions by Parties as well as the voluntary contributions by Parties and non-Parties according to the agreements reached at the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in accordance with which: "all contributions are due to be paid in the year immediately preceding the year to which the contributions relate"; and urges the Parties and non- Parties to pay their contributions for 1994 according to the distribution of contributions approved by the Conference of the Parties as soon as possible to allow the Secretariat of the Convention to continue its work as decided by the Conference of the Parties;
4. Further approves the budget for the two Trust Funds for 1995/1996;
5. Provisionally adopts formulas for contribution to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Basel Convention based on the United Nations scale of assessment (attached) subject to comments/reservations reflected in the Report of the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties and pending further consideration by the Bureau and adoption by the next meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the Implementation of the Convention;
6. Requests the Executive Director of UNEP to extend the two Trust Funds to the Basel Convention for 1995/1996 and 1997/1998 and mutates mutandis its Terms of Reference as adopted by the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Annex II of Decision I/7 ), taking into account its paragraph 19 and ensuring ex-post-facto approval of the UNEP Governing Council for these extensions;
7. Further requests the Executive Director to provide the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties with a report on the implementation of paragraphs 16 and 17 of the Terms of Reference of the Trust Funds for the Basel Convention by the end of April for every previous year to ensure the transparency of the use of funds of the Contracting Parties;
8. Also requests the Executive Director of UNEP to advance funds to the Basel Convention on a reimbursable basis for operational requirements, including for technical cooperation activities;
9. Requests the Executive Director to consider and present to. the Governing Council possibilities of supporting some activities and programmes recommended by the Bureau for the implementation of the Basel Convention on a non-reimbursable basis;
10. Requests the Secretariat to ensure the implementation of all decisions adopted by the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties within the approved budgets for 1994 and for 1995/1996, with the only limiting factor to be the resources within the approved budgets for 1994 and for 1995/1996.
III. Procedural arrangements
1. Decides that the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties will be held in September/October 1995, possibly in Nairobi if no additional cost is incurred. The Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be held in 1997.