Minamata Convention on Mercury

12/06/2026

Big thanks to the members of the Effectiveness Evaluation Group for their continued work and commitment at their ninth meeting, held online from 10 June to 11 June.

The Group kept momentum on the first effectiveness evaluation of the , assessing progress towards the Convention’s objective of protecting human health and the environment from pollution. The outcome of the first evaluation will be considered at in Geneva in 2027.

Special thanks to co-chairs Kateřina Šebková and Linroy Christian for guiding the discussions and helping move this important process forward to .

11/06/2026

Next week: Webinar on "Upcoming deadlines and events in preparation for "

On Tuesday 16 June (13h00-14h00 CEST), the session will share detailed information in preparation for COP-7 in 2027. The webinar will also include updates on the status of fundraising to support the implementation of the .

Opening remarks will be delivered by Marie-Claire Lhenry, President of COP-7 (France), and Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz, followed by presentations from other speakers.

Register now: https://bit.ly/MO16JUN26

08/06/2026

On , to our relationship with the ocean is to move from isolated efforts to aligned action.

For the , pollution makes the connection clear: emissions and releases to air, land and water can travel far from their source, move through watersheds to the ocean, and accumulate in aquatic food webs.

Working with Parties and partners (including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth, women and girls, and other organizations) is essential to , while contributing to a healthier ocean and better protection of human health and the environment.

Learn more about mercury releases, their impact on ocean health, and how we can work together: https://minamataconvention.org/en/resources/2025-fact-sheet-mercury-releases

08/06/2026

In our June newsletter, we highlight the Secretariat’s participation in the and , an upcoming session on deadlines and events in preparation for , and recent meetings focused on advancing action through environmental financing and international cooperation on mercury trafficking.

Read here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gef-assembly-council-meeting-cutting-mercury-driver-zjvlf

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Last week, the Secretariat participated in the 11th Meeting of the Informal Law Enforcement Network on Minerals Crime, held in Lyon, France, under the theme “Disrupting Illegal Mineral Supply Chains”.

Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz opened the breakout session “Tackling mercury trafficking”, which examined the growing challenge of trafficking and its use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining ( ).

“Cooperation is the path forward to address the issue of illegal trade of mercury”, Stankiewicz said, recalling recent decisions. “This includes cooperation with organizations with expertise in illegal trade, such as UNODC, World Customs Organization and INTERPOL, as well as with enforcement networks”.

Read more: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/minamata-convention-joins-global-law-enforcement-dialogue-mercury-trafficking

01/06/2026

At the and in ( ), the Secretariat called for stronger integration of action into biodiversity and climate efforts.

Speaking during the Council session on "Relations with Conventions and Other International Institutions", Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz emphasized that "cutting mercury and other pollution is not a standalone cost, but a driver of co-benefits for and ".

The discussions are particularly relevant for the Convention, as the Global Environment Facility is one of the two components of its financial mechanism. Looking ahead, will play a critical role in supporting Parties as they work towards meeting key obligations due between now and 2030 and beyond.

Full story: https://bit.ly/MCGEFCouncil71

01/06/2026

Hot off the press! Published twice a year, the Corporate Scorecard provides a comprehensive overview of performance during the current replenishment period.

The report tracks progress toward GEF-8 targets, reviews utilization of available resources, and assesses implementation of key policies across the partnership.

This edition includes all projects approved from July 2022 through the June 2026 Work Program and features new interactive result cards that enable users to explore indicator definitions, units of measure, targets, and progress updates.

As delegates meet at and preparations continue for , the Scorecard offers an important snapshot of progress across the GEF-8 portfolio.

https://www.thegef.org/newsroom/publications/gef-8-corporate-scorecard-june-2026

27/05/2026