Specific International Programme to support Capacity-Building and Technical Assistance

The Specific International Programme to support Capacity Building and Technical Assistance (SIP) is one of the two components of the financial mechanism of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was defined by Article 13 of the Convention, and in 2017 the First Conference of the Parties (COP-1) decided on its duration and the arrangements for its operation (Decision MC-1/6). As requested by decision MC-1/6, UNEP established the Specific Trust Fund, effective 1 January 2018, to receive funds for the SIP.

Second Round: Ten projects approved (2019)

SIP projects can support implementation of a range of activities from mercury waste management to phasing out mercury-added products, improving mercury inventories, developing and updating legal frameworks, developing and strengthening laboratory networks, delivering trainings and raising awareness on the impact of mercury on human health and the environment.

The Governing Board of the Specific International Programme met in Washington from 18-20 September 2019 to review applications to its Second Round. Please read the statement by the Co-Chairs, Mr. Sam Adu-Kumi and Mr. Reggie Hernaus.

10 Projects Selected by the Governing Board for the Second Round

• Antigua and Barbuda: Facilitating capacity-building with technical assistance and technology transfer for managing mercury in the Caribbean. Read more about the project here.
• Ecuador: Project to strengthen capacities in the implementation of the Minamata Convention in Ecuador. Read more about the project here.
• Ghana: Strengthening Ghana’s Health Sector for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Read more about the project here.
• Indonesia: Improving Health Risk Control of Mercury Exposure in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) and Surrounding Areas by Developing the “Participatory Approach” Model. Read more about the project here.
• Iran: Capacity Building for Effective Implementation of Minamata Convention Focusing on Mercury Inventory. Read more about the project here.
• Moldova: Support to post-ratification of the Minamata Convention to the Republic of Moldova by building phase down capacities and reducing risks associated with mercury. Read more about the project here. Read the final report here.
• Nigeria: Capacity strengthening for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Nigeria. Read more about the project here. Read the final report here.
• Peru: Strengthening capacities to control emissions and releases of mercury in Peru. Read more about the project here.
• Sri Lanka: Strengthening National Capacity for Phasing Out Mercury Added Products and Environmentally Sound Mercury Containing Waste Management in Sri Lanka. Read more about the project here.
• Zambia: To strengthen the Institutional Capacity for Zambia to implement the obligations of the Minamata Convention by reducing the presence of mercury in vulnerable populations as provided for under Articles 16 and 18. Read more about the project here.

Contributors to the Specific Trust Fund (2019)