The third session of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury inaugurated with the statements by the host Government, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Executive Secretary of the Convention, the COP President and regional representatives. The delegates of the conference discussed several agenda items. The event held in several phases – opening plenary, afternoon plenary, side events and reception by Switzerland.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013 to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The treaty bans new and phases out existing mercury mines, contains measures to control air emissions and trade, and regulates the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
