A workshop was arranged by Ministry of Climate Change on “National Inception Workshop on the project for development of Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) in Pakistan”.Minamata was adopted in 2013 in Japan. The purpose of this convention is to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The purpose of this convention is to phase out mercury added products like thermometers, compact florescent lamp (CFLs), batteries etc by 2020. Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Deputy Director (Chemical)/ National Project Coordinator, Ministry of Climate Change introduced the participants and purpose of this workshop. The opening remarks were given by Dr. Shunichi Honda, Programme Officer, IETC, UNEP, Osaka, Japan (Via Skype)
The workshop started with the opening remarks of Joint Secretary International Cooperation Wing of Ministry of Climate Change Mr. Iftikhar Gillani. The use of chemicals is inevitable in almost all the processes for formulation of different products in the today’s modern era all over the World. Government of Pakistan being a part of the global community aspires to save humanity, from the harmful effects of the chemicals on health and environment”, said by the joint Secretary.
“The use of chemicals is inevitable in almost all the processes for formulation of different products in the today’s modern era all over the World. Government of Pakistan being a part of the global community aspires to save humanity, from the harmful effects of the chemicals on health and environment”, highlighted by Federal secretary for Climate Change Syed Abu Akif.
“This workshop is aimed at drawing the attention of national and international community to control and eliminate widespread exposure of mercury due to human-generated sources. Some of the measures can be implemented through legal obligations still many others may need a more practical and cooperative approach. Our Government is fully committed to replace mercury based technologies and products in line with decisions being taken by opting for friendly technologies and products in Pakistan”, informed by the Federal Secretary for climate Change
Pakistan has initiated initial Minamata Assessment project. The executing agencies are :IETC, UNEP, Osaka, Japan.It would be implemented by International Cooperation Wing, Ministry of Climate Change. The funding agency is Green Environment Fund. The duration of the project is one year. This workshop is first component to develop a strategy for outreach and awareness raising aimed at national stakeholders throughout the project, Identify key stakeholders and assign roles, To establish and adopt a National Coordination Mechanism for mercury management
Other components are 1) assessment of the national infrastructure and capacity for the management of mercury, including national legislation 2) Development of a mercury inventory using the UNEP mercury toolkit and strategies to identify and assess mercury contaminated sites.3) Identification of challenges, needs and opportunities to implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury
The participants included academia, federal and provincial environmental departments’ officers and media. In the end shield and certificates were distributed among participants along plants.
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