COPs – Basel – Rotterdam – Stockholm

From April 28 to May 9, 2025, CETESB will be in Geneva to take part in the Triple Conferences of the Parties (COPs) — COP-17 of the Basel Convention, COP-12 of the Rotterdam Convention, and COP-12 of the Stockholm Convention. These United Nations-linked events focus on global environmental agreements.

During the COPs, a fair will be held under the theme “Making the Invisible Visible: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste”. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the work carried out under the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, and their contributions to addressing the crises of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

The CETESB Regional Centre will host a booth showcasing its technical expertise in implementing Multilateral Environmental

Agreements. Highlights include its work in:

• Environmental analysis and monitoring laboratories
• Groundwater and soil quality
• Solid waste management and reverse logistics — particularly regarding plastic and microplastic waste
• Atmospheric emissions
• Chemical emergencies
• Management of contaminated areas
• The activities of CETESB’s Environmental Training School

As an official partner of the Conventions, the CETESB Regional Centre will participate in the plenary sessions — with voice but no voting rights — as part of the Brazilian delegation. CETESB will also contribute to working groups and negotiations, promoting institutional exchange and reinforcing its visibility and excellence in protecting human health and the environment.

CETESB’s Role in the COPs

Since 2007, CETESB has been designated by the Brazilian government as one of the 16 Regional Centres of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) worldwide. POPs are hazardous chemicals that remain in the environment for long periods, can travel great distances, and pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems.

This designation positions CETESB as a key international player, providing technical support and technology transfer to countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. Its work strengthens the technical, institutional, and legal capacities of these nations to meet the Convention’s obligations and targets.

The CETESB Regional Centre also works in synergy with the Basel, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions — the latter addressing mercury — as well as the future Global Plastics Treaty (including marine environments), and the new Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals and Waste, expanding its role in global environmental governance.

See the materials presented at the event: