The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global legally binding treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The Convention was named after a city in Japan where mercury poisoning occurred after industrial wastewater from a chemical factory was discharged into Minamata Bay in the mid-20th century. The objective of the Minamata Convention is to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

UNDP has been active in the area of mercury reduction efforts since the 1970s, when it administered the UN Revolving Fund for Natural Resources Exploration (UNRFNRE) from 1975 to 1995 and implemented a number of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) projects financed by the revolving fund. Since then, UNDP has continued assisting developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their efforts to reduce the use and release of mercury. Currently UNDP is assisting the developing countries to meet their commitments under the Minamata Convention. UNDP provides support to conduct Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) and develop ASGM National Action Plans (NAPs), to undertake activities to reduce emissions of mercury and mercury compounds to the atmosphere from point sources and from ASGM and to phase out mercury-containing products in the healthcare sector.