Chemicals in the Spotlight of International Policy Agenda
The Second Global Helsinki Chemicals Forum – 20-21 May 2010
Helsinki, 12 April 2010 – The final programme of the Second Global Helsinki Chemicals Forum (HCF) - to be held in Helsinki in May - has now been published. The programme features an impressive variety of high-level speakers and panelists representing key stakeholders from around the world, who have an impact on the overall policy environment related to chemicals.
Two Nobel Prize winners will address the audience as keynote speakers. Members of the European Commission and the Finnish Government will also honour the event with their participation.
Drawing on the clearly emerging position of the City of Helsinki as a global hub of action and forward-looking debate on chemicals – not least as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has its seat in the Finnish capital – the Forum provides a platform to take stock of important developments in the chemicals’ field.
The deliberate connection with ECHA’s Spring Stakeholders’ Day held on 19 May in the same premises additionally enables participation in that event which focuses on issues under the jurisdiction of the EU’s chemicals legislation, whilst the Helsinki Chemicals Forum aspires to a debate with a wider global horizon.
Ms Khalida Bouzar, Deputy Director at UNEP, will moderate one of the four distinct panel discussions, namely “Chemicals Policies – Emerging Economies”. She states: “Over the past decade, the global community has brought critical chemicals-related environmental problems to the forefront of the international policy agenda. Particular attention has been drawn to the widening gap among developed countries, developing countries and countries with economies in transition with regard to capacities to manage chemical-related risks. Key international instruments and processes have been agreed upon to address these concerns.”
“Despite these efforts, there are still significant challenges in implementing and enforcing effective instruments and processes for sound management of chemicals. These include the insufficient use of market-based mechanisms; inadequate legal and technical capacity; lack of access to affordable and safer technologies and alternatives; the need to prioritize and integrate chemicals strategies and policies into national development plans; and the lack of national coordinating frameworks to implement international agreements and processes.”
“While the OECD continues to assist its member states in their efforts to reduce risks posed by chemicals production and use, the changes in the industry now require a more global approach”, Ms Bouzar continues.
The Forum’s final programme can be viewed at the event’s website at www.helsinkichemforum.eu .
For further information:
Hannu Vornamo, Secretary General
Tel: +358-40-500 4785, E-mail: hannu.vornamo(@)helsinkicf.eu
Annemaria Ojanperä, Communications Manager
Tel: +358-40-039 1525, E-mail: annemaria.ojanpera(@)helsinkicf.eu
