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Statement
Statement: Monika Stankiewicz at the 8th GEF Assembly
Statement delivered by Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary, at the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 30 May to 6 June 2026.
Highlights
GEF story: Delivering environmental action that people can feel
Read the Global Environment Facility (GEF) story featuring excerpts from a panel discussion during the 71st GEF Council meeting, including remarks by Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz.
Highlights
IISD-ENB video: Countries united at the 71st Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council meeting
Watch the Earth Negotiations Bulletin video on the 71st GEF Council meeting, featuring Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz and other representatives of the global environmental community.
Highlights
Sixth meeting of the Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products project stakeholder group
Register to the meeting, to be held online on 15 June, "Advancing global momentum: Interactive consultations on challenges, regulatory measures, and pathways to phase out mercury‑added cosmetics".
News
Minamata Convention calls for greater integration of mercury action in biodiversity and climate efforts at GEF meetings
The Minamata Convention Secretariat participates in the 71st Council and Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 30 May to 6 June 2026.
Minamata Online
Upcoming deadlines and events in preparation for COP-7
The session will focus on upcoming deadlines and events in preparation for the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-7).
Highlights
Council allocates final GEF-8 funding, looks to 2030
The governing body of the Global Environment Facility trust fund has approved $144.3 million in the final disbursement of its eighth funding period and welcomed donor country contributions.
News
Minamata Convention joins global law enforcement dialogue on mercury trafficking
The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention participated in the 11th Meeting of the Informal Law Enforcement Network on Minerals Crime, held in Lyon, France, from 28 to 29 May 2026.
Newsletter
Minamata Convention updates: focus on biodiversity
On this special newsletter marking Biodiversity Day, watch our Executive Secretary video statement and explore our resources highlighting the links between mercury and biodiversity protection.
About the Minamata Convention
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is the most recent global agreement on environment and health, adopted in 2013. It is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health damage that became known as the "Minamata disease."
Since it entered into force on 16 August 2017, Parties have been working together to control the mercury supply and trade, reduce the use, emission and release of mercury, raise public awareness, and build the necessary institutional capacity to #MakeMercuryHistory