Minamata Convention on Mercury

19/08/2026

On , the highlights the importance of global solidarity and meaningful engagement in our collective efforts to protect human health and the environment.

pollution is a global challenge, but its impacts are not experienced equally. as well as local communities can be disproportionately affected by mercury pollution, including in areas where artisanal and small-scale gold mining ( ) takes place.

We reaffirm the value of multilateralism in translating global commitments into implementation at the local level, ensuring that the knowledge, perspectives, needs and priorities of the most affected inform solutions to .

Learn more about some of the key focus areas of the : https://minamataconvention.org/en/topics

17/08/2026

Read our newsletter focused on the ninth anniversary of the , including the recent UN Environment Programme story on dental amalgam, upcoming events, experiences of projects supported by the Specific International Programme, and more.

August newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nine-years-minamata-convention-minamataconvention-5kq7e

On 16 August 2026, the Minamata Convention on Mercury celebrates the ninth anniversary of its entry into force. Over the past years, Parties have made significant progress in protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution, including at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the P

16/08/2026

On 16 August 2026, the celebrates the ninth anniversary of its entry into force.

Over the past years, Parties have made significant progress in protecting human health and the from mercury pollution, including at in November last year, where they agreed to phase out the manufacture, import and export of dental amalgam by 2034, a major milestone towards -free dentistry.

To commemorate the anniversary, a new UN Environment Programme story explores how Parties are advancing the transition through strengthened oral prevention, mercury-free alternatives, environmentally sound management of amalgam waste, and national policies that support the implementation of the Convention.

Read the full story here: https://www.unep.org/technical-highlight/how-does-world-move-away-mercury-dentistry

16/08/2026

For more than a century, dentists have used dental amalgam, a filling material that contains mercury. While durable and affordable, it can release mercury throughout its life cycle, contributing to pollution if it is not managed safely.

Countries around the world are now working to phase out dental amalgam, expand access to mercury-free alternatives and improve the safe management of dental waste, with support from the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

As the Convention marks its 9th anniversary on 16 August, see how the transition to mercury-free dentistry is protecting the health of both people and the planet: https://bit.ly/45r4gQf

14/08/2026

Almost nine years after the entered into force, we highlight how national reporting continues to provide insights into Parties' efforts to tackle pollution around the world, helping identify common challenges, support needs and priorities for future action.

Submission rates have remained strong across four reporting cycles, with 127 Parties submitting their national reports during the most recent cycle in 2025, representing an 84 per cent reporting rate.

The analysis of this information will be a key contribution to the outcome of the first evaluation, which will be considered at , to be held from 6 to 10 September 2027 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Learn more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/national-reporting-supporting-implementation-and-first-effectiveness-evaluation

13/08/2026

As the nears its ninth anniversary, the Specific International Programme (SIP) continues to build Parties’ capacities to tackle pollution.

Among the projects supported through the Programme, those in North Macedonia, in Cuba, & in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo, illustrate the impact of SIP’s help in developing the scientific knowledge, national frameworks and cooperation required to .

As noted by Cuba's Yoelvis Bolaños Alvarez, while the process has been demanding, “this experience has provided valuable lessons in resilience, the importance of teamwork, and the enduring value of persistence”.

Senegal’s Dr Pathé Dieye added: “When a targeted investment permanently transforms the women, men and organizations that protect human health and the environment, it ceases to be a project—it becomes a legacy”.

The experiences are timely as Parties prepare to consider at whether to extend the duration of the SIP beyond its initial mandate.

Read more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/nine-years-minamata-convention-helping-countries-tackle-mercury-pollution-through-specific

12/08/2026

On the occasion of International , the highlights several initiatives demonstrating how young people, in different contexts but with common aspirations, are helping address mercury pollution through education, community engagement and international dialogue.

From the Toxics-Free Schools Program in the Philippines to Peru’s Expedición Mercurio campaign and the Global Youth Dialogue on , these efforts showcase the diverse ways young people are helping to .

Learn more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/youth-voices-driving-action-against-mercury-pollution

11/08/2026

🗓️ Save the dates for the second phase of the 2026 webinar series

Ahead of the ninth anniversary of the , the Secretariat is pleased to announce a new series of webinars to be held from September to December, covering several key focal areas of work including:

wastes, artisanal and small-scale gold mining ( ), supply and trade of mercury, financing for implementation, digital strategy, synergies with the global agenda, and more.

Save the dates and register for the following confirmed sessions: bit.ly/MINAMATAONLINE

10/08/2026

To mark the International Day of the World's , we reflect on progress made in strengthening their participation to .

Over the past several years, the has broadened its work on the effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including dialogue, a global survey to better understand their needs and priorities regarding mercury pollution, outreach activities, monitoring guidance, and the development of tools and guidance.

These efforts reinforce the value of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, community perspectives and experience, in advancing solutions that benefit communities, ecosystems and future generations.

Learn more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/strengthening-action-against-mercury-pollution-through-indigenous-peoples-knowledge-and

30/07/2026

Earlier this month, the Secretariat took part in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Chemicals and Waste Task Force Retreat "Strategic Planning for Implementation", hosted by UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Vienna, Austria, from 14 to 17 July 2026.

During a joint session with the secretariats of The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Minamata Convention Secretariat presented the key outcomes of and outlined the Convention’s priorities for the GEF-9 cycle.

The Secretariat highlighted that GEF-9 represents a critical opportunity to support timely implementation of the Convention: with most obligations falling due between now and the early 2030s, the mercury allocation requires early programming and a quick start to the cycle.

Learn more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/minamata-convention-secretariat-joins-gef-chemicals-and-waste-task-force-retreat-gef-9