Search

The article presents selected documents pertaining to environmental policies and laws. The first one discusses the right to water which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation. Another focuses on the Biosafety Protocol COP/MOP-3 and the terms of reference on identification requirements of living modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed and for processing. The last discusses the strategic approach to International Chemicals Management, consisting of the Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management, the Overarching Policy Strategy and the Global Plan of Action.

The article reports on the proceedings of the convention held in Rome, Italy in September 2005 regarding the second Conference of Parties of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade also known as the "PIC Convention." The convention focused on the issues of operationalizing the procedures developed by the nine Intergovernmental Negotiating Committees (INCs) and the need for a funding mechanism that will finance their programs.

The article reflects on the goals achieved and those that have fallen short of the desired results in environmental policies. Several issues that have recent developments have been briefly discussed. The United Nations reported that more landmines came out of the ground than are planted each year. There have been moves made with regard to the international management of chemicals. The International Conference on Chemicals Management is going to be held on Dubai, 4-6 February 2006. The Montreal, Quebec meeting was not as successful as participants had hoped but they were happy with the results.