BRS Conventions Secretariat to support Armenia in improving chemicals and hazardous waste management

Improper management of chemicals and hazardous waste poses a serious threat to biodiversity, and addressing these challenges requires close international cooperation.

As a landlocked country, Armenia faces particular challenges in this area, and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Conventions) is ready to continue supporting efforts to address them.

In an interview with Armenpress, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, discussed the importance of the three conventions for biodiversity conservation and opportunities for cooperation with Armenia.

He emphasized that the safe management of chemicals and waste is one of the key prerequisites for biodiversity conservation.

“We live on one planet, which means that any issue related to biodiversity is closely linked to various types of human activity. Human activities include clearing land for agricultural purposes, cutting down trees to generate energy, extracting minerals for various products, and many other activities. All of this generates pollution, which in turn has an enormous impact on biodiversity,” Payet said.

Strengthening the interaction between the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the three conventions is extremely important, as joint efforts can help address existing challenges, he said.

“These challenges cannot be overcome by looking at them solely from a biodiversity perspective. We must also address them from the perspectives of consumption and production, as well as the improper management of waste and chemicals. We are here today to support this initiative because we are convinced that countries cannot fully implement the Global Biodiversity Framework without addressing the fundamental problems of pollution,” the Executive Secretary said.

Addressing the specific features of the three conventions, Payet outlined the role each plays in biodiversity conservation.

The Rotterdam Convention concerns the exchange of information. Under the convention, countries exchange information, particularly on pesticides that are widely used in agriculture and can adversely affect wildlife.

“Wildlife is an integral part of biodiversity. Therefore, through more effective pesticide management, environmentally sound management and control of chemicals, we can reduce their negative impact on biodiversity,” he said.

Speaking about the Stockholm Convention, Payet noted that it addresses persistent organic pollutants, which can accumulate in the human body and cause health problems.

According to him, these substances also accumulate in living organisms, particularly migratory species, affecting their reproduction and other biological processes.

“Another important issue addressed by the Stockholm Convention is the long-range transport of these chemicals. They can travel very long distances, meaning that pollution sometimes originates in one location, while its effects are felt thousands of kilometers away. In addition, these chemicals can persist in the environment for 50 to 100 years, meaning that their effects will remain with us for a long time,” Payet emphasized.

He added that the Stockholm Convention establishes a system under which these chemicals are gradually eliminated, their use is restricted and, ultimately, their use is prohibited. Thus, the convention makes a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation and management.

Turning to the Basel Convention, the Executive Secretary noted that it regulates the transboundary movement of waste, with plastic pollution being one of the clearest examples of its importance.

“We have all seen numerous photographs and videos showing plastic found in the bodies of seabirds, turtles, cetaceans and other animal species. These animals have either swallowed plastic or become entangled in plastic waste. The work carried out under the Basel Convention helps reduce the illegal disposal of plastic waste worldwide, including its release into the oceans, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation,” Payet said.

He emphasized that all three conventions play an extremely important role in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Addressing opportunities for cooperation with Armenia, the Executive Secretary said he sees considerable potential in this area, particularly in light of COP17 being hosted in Yerevan.

“As you know, Armenia is a landlocked country, which makes it quite difficult, for example, to transport hazardous waste out of the country or to address issues related to chemicals. Therefore, we will support the Armenian government in making chemicals management in the country more effective,” Payet said.

According to him, particular attention should be paid to the safe disposal and destruction of expired chemicals, as well as to reducing the amount of waste generated.

“When expired chemicals are present, it is necessary to understand how they can be disposed of or destroyed in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. Reducing the amount of waste is equally important because, ultimately, no one wants hazardous waste to be transported across their country's borders,” he said.

Payet emphasized that Armenia has specific requirements and particular needs in this regard, and cooperation to address them will continue.

“We will continue working with the Armenian government and people to understand how we can find solutions to reduce the negative impact of chemicals and waste. This means reducing their impact on Armenia's territory and its people, as well as on Armenia's wonderful wildlife,” Rolph Payet concluded.