The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has arranged the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Uruguay, where delegates from over 120 countries are assembling together to create a worldwide legally binding instrument on mercury (INC).
In a series of six summits, this is the fourth one in a sequence of six meetings to negotiate on an international treaty to control and stop mercury pollution.
Non-governmental organizations are requesting that measures be taken for:
- Cutting off increasing mercury pollution to the atmosphere, fish and water soil globally
- Make sure that national action plans are formulated and funding provided to fulfill the treaty objectives
- Put an end to pro-poverty policies which allow use of mercury in artisanal gold mining
- Eliminate products having mercury, at the same time enabling innovation for mercury-free products
Mercury is a toxic pollutant and it bioacummulates in the food cycle. The material can enter the brain and placenta and harm women, children and others, who are exposed to it. According to UNEP, mercury is found all over the world in various concentrations that affect wildlife and human beings in an adverse manner. Fernando Bejarano, INC4 Chair for IPEN, stated that if a treaty is not developed, then there may be a risk of legitimizing the existing and future contamination of water, food and children.
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