The 5^th session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), organized by UNEP and hosted by the government of Germany who holds the presidency of this fifth session of the Conference, will take place from 25 to 29 September 2023 at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB) with a High-level Segment (HLS) on 28 and 29 September 2023. ICCM5 has a potential to be an important milestone with the expected adoption of the “The Beyond 2020 global chemical and waste framework” and the Bonn High-level Declaration on Chemicals and Waste. 

Pollution is one of the three planetary crises threatening our future, alongside climate change and biodiversity loss. Improper management of chemicals and waste leads to negative impact on human health, climate, environment, and biodiversity. Moreover, the impacts of exposure to chemical pollution threaten socio-economic development and prosperity.

The International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) is responsible for guiding and monitoring the SAICM process. The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. It was adopted by the First International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM1) in 2006 as a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. SAICM is a global multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder, and voluntary policy framework. It offers a forum to discuss and address many challenges related to the adoption and implementation of national policies to safely manage chemicals.

Considering that the challenges of global chemicals management remain and are increasing and that the 2020 goal was not achieved, ICCM4 initiated an intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. The intersessional process worked to develop “The Beyond 2020 global chemical and waste framework” which is expected to be adopted at ICCM5.

UNDP has been supporting the implementation of SAICM through its activities on chemicals and waste management and through active participation in the work of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC). The publication “Transitioning To A Circular Economy Through Chemical and Waste Management” describes UNDP's interventions on Chemicals and Waste Management, which aim to achieve circularity.