Get regular updates from Minamata Convention
Highlighted
News
First GEF global monitoring project meeting covering mercury held in Shanghai
The Secretariat attended the first meeting of the Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme covering mercury monitoring, held In Shanghai by the Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in China.
Highlights
New focal area: digital strategy
Learn about the Convention’s digital strategy, which enables more effective information exchange, transparency and collaboration in support of the implementation of the Minamata Convention.
News
Indigenous Fellows explore engagement with the Minamata Convention
On 2 July 2026, the Minamata Convention Secretariat delivered a session on mercury and its impact on health and Indigenous communities to the OHCHR Indigenous Fellows Programme in Geneva.
From the Executive Secretary
Follow-up to decision MC-6/8 – Dedicated call for submissions on gold supply chain transparency and mercury reduction
The Secretariat also developed an Information Submission Template on Gold Supply Chain Transparency and Mercury Reduction.
Party
Trinidad and Tobago becomes the 154th Party to the Minamata Convention
On 24 September 2026, Trinidad and Tobago will officially become the 154th Party to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a key step in joining the global efforts to make mercury history.
From the Executive Secretary
Peer review of the draft global report on collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
(CBD Notification 2026-047)
News
SIP fourth-round roundtable strengthens collaboration among implementing partners
On 18 June 2026, the Minamata Convention Secretariat convened the first online roundtable for implementing partners of projects approved under the fourth round of the SIP.
From the Executive Secretary
Call for Information on Supply Sources and Trade
I am pleased to inform you that, in response to COP-6 decision MC-6/1 on supply sources and trade and thanks to the financial support of the European Union, the Secretariat of the Minamata Conventi
Highlights
UNEP story: UNEP and GEF kick off global initiative to strengthen monitoring of toxic chemicals and mercury
Learn more about the Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme (GCMP), a US$23.5 million initiative by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
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