Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6)

The Minamata Convention entered into force on 16 August 2017, the 90th day after the date of deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. For each State or regional economic integration organization that ratifies, accepts or approves the Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of this 50th instrument, the Convention will enter into force on the 90th day after the date of deposit by such State or regional economic integration organization of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Hence, in order to be Parties to the Minamata Convention at the time of the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, countries and regional economic integration organizations that have not yet done so should deposit their instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the United Nations Secretary-General, who is the depository of the Convention, no later than 4 August 2025. The updated list of Parties can be found on the Convention website.

As in previous years, the registration of delegates is a two-step process:

1. Online registration: The names, titles and contact information of your designated representatives to attend the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties should be communicated to the Secretariat using Kronos online registration platform that will be available from 7 July 2025. The individual link to access the registration platform with the instructions will be sent to National Focal Points for the Minamata Convention on Mercury and/or Permanent Missions to the United Nations Environment Programme and to the United Nations in Geneva. You are kindly invited to check the contact details of the NFPs and notify the Secretariat about any update (if needed).
2. Submission of supporting documents: Furthermore, Parties are requested to send to the Secretariat at MEA-MinamataMeetings [at] un.org (MEA-MinamataMeetings[at]un[dot]org) the official nomination letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Note verbale from the Permanent Mission of the Party to the United Nations Office at Geneva with the names and contact details of the designated representatives. Please note that documents issued by any other entity will not be accepted.

The deadline for online registration and for sending the official nomination letter for all delegates other than those requesting travel support is 24 October 2025.

Financial assistance may be available to support the participation of one delegate per eligible developing country Party. The travel support must be clearly requested and sponsored participant must be clearly specified in the official nomination letter. The deadline for online registration and for sending the official nomination letter for sponsored delegates is 5 September 2025.

On-site registration at the Conference Centre will be possible and extended waiting times need to be expected. The Secretariat strongly encourages all participants to register prior to the deadline. Pre-registration will facilitate the issuance of conference badges upon arrival on site, and the preparation of the list of participants. Participants who do not wish to have their coordinates appear on the list of participants for each of the meetings should inform the registration desk upon their arrival at the venue.

Please note that the completion of the registration process is subject to the submission of all required information and subsequent confirmation by the Secretariat. Delegates are invited not to make any travel arrangements before receiving the registration confirmation from the Secretariat. Once the registration is validated in Kronos, each member of the delegation will receive a confirmation email with further logistical information and details.

In order to take part in decision-making at the meeting, Parties must be accredited. Credentials for the head of delegation, alternate representatives and advisers are issued either by the Head of State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the case of a regional economic integration organization, credentials should be issued by the competent authority of that organization. Information regarding any change in the composition of the delegation should be submitted using the same procedure.

Samples of credentials are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Original credentials must be submitted to the Secretariat no later than twenty-four hours after the opening of the meeting (therefore by 10 am on Tuesday, 4 November 2025). In order to facilitate the clearance process, Parties are invited to submit their original credentials in advance of the meeting, preferably by 17 October 2025, to:

The Executive Secretary 
Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury
United Nations Environment Programme
Avenue de la Paix 8-14, 1211
Geneva 10, Switzerland

If not submitted in advance of the meeting, Parties can hand over original credentials of their representatives at the registration desk upon arrival at the meeting venue on the first day of the meeting.

Advance electronic copies of credentials can be sent to MEA-MinamataMeetings [at] un.org.

Financial assistance may be available to support the participation of one participant per eligible developing country Party. The assistance will include daily subsistence allowance (DSA) at United Nations rate and round-trip economy ticket. The sponsored participant must be clearly specified in the official nomination letter. 

Important: the deadline for registration in the online platform and for sending the official nomination letter for sponsored delegates is 5 September 2025. 

Once confirmed for participation, the sponsored participants will receive additional instructions on their travel arrangements. Air travel will be arranged according to the United Nations regulations, via the most economical and direct means possible in all cases. Please note that changes to air tickets after they have been issued will not be permitted.

In order to facilitate the payment of subsistence allowance at the venue, sponsored participants will be requested to submit copies of their passport and boarding passes to the Secretariat staff at the location and time indicated during the meeting. For any query related to travel and DSA, sponsored participants are invited to contact the Secretariat at: mea-minamatameetings [at] un.org.

Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements in advance of the meeting and for covering any associated incurred costs. The Secretariat encourages all Parties to make such arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Please note that accommodation support for the non-sponsored governments and NGO representatives participating at the COP-6 may be provided by International Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI). Please check CAGI website or contact delegates.cagi [at] etat.ge.ch for more details about the eligibility criteria and the conditions that apply.

All participants are responsible for obtaining their visa for entering Switzerland, as well as any necessary transit visa(s), as appropriate. Visa support letters can be provided by the Secretariat upon request.

Rule 6 of the rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties provides that the United Nations, its specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as any State not party to the Convention and any entity operating the mechanism referred to in paragraph 5 of Article 13 of the Convention, may, upon the invitation of the President, participate in the proceedings of any meeting without the right to vote, unless at least one-third of the Parties present at the meeting object.

Rule 7 of the rules of procedure provides that any body or agency, whether national or international, governmental or non-governmental, admitted as an observer may, upon the invitation of the President, participate without the right to vote in the proceedings of any meeting in matters of direct concern to the body or agency they represent, unless at least one-third of the Parties present at the meeting object.

Upon invitation by the President, observers may present their statements orally. The number of oral statements to be delivered at the meeting depends on the time available. With respect to NGOs, preference will be given to those speaking on behalf of groups of organizations or coalitions. Written statements could also be submitted in one of the official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish).

Organizations approved to participate in the previous meetings of the Conference of the Parties do not need to resubmit such application for admission. See organizations listed in documents UNEP/MC/COP.1/INF/16, UNEP/MC/COP.2/INF/19, UNEP/MC/COP.3/INF/27, UNEP/MC/COP.4/INF/28/Rev.1 and UNEP/MC/COP.5/INF/39.

Organizations wishing to obtain observership status should submit to the Secretariat by e-mail: mea-minamatameetings [at] un.org at least two months prior to the opening of the meeting, an application for admission as an observer at meetings of the COP, including information demonstrating it is qualified in matters covered by the Convention. The Secretariat will screen the applications to check their completeness and conformity with the requirements of the Convention. Successful applications will be submitted to COP-6.

Further information with regard to the participation of observers in meetings of the Conference of the Parties may be found on the website.

Media professionals that represent bona fide media organizations (formally registered as a media organization in a country recognized by the United Nations General Assembly) are invited to attend the sixth meeting of the Minamata Convention (COP-6) taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 7 November 2025. By following the accreditation process, each journalist can be issued with credentials to enable access to the plenary sessions, side events and exhibition area.

Media admittance follows the Guidelines for Media accreditation and access.

Accreditation will be granted upon presentation of valid press credentials, including each of the following:

1. Completed Accreditation Form
2. Letter of assignment on the official letterhead of a media organization signed by the publisher/assignment editor, editor-in-chief or bureau chief, specifying the name and functional title of the journalist. Unsigned letters or e-mails will not be accepted;
3. Photocopy of a valid press card/work pass; and
4. Photocopy of passport/national ID card.

Please submit the Accreditation Form together with the documents listed above as soon as possible to the Secretariat through the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer, Anna García Sans at anna.garcia [at] un.org.

Note that double accreditation is not allowed (e.g. as press and delegate, or as press and nongovernmental organization).

The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Monday, 3 November to 7 November 2025. Regional consultations and other preparatory meetings will take place in the afternoon of Sunday, 2 November 2025.

The meeting will be held at:

Geneva International Conference Centre – Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG)
Rue de Varembé 17. 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Tel.: + 41 (0) 22 791 91 11, Fax: + 41 (0) 22 791 90 64
Website: www.cicg.ch

Internet access

Free wireless internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of the CICG.

Restaurants / Catering services

Catering services for lunch will be available at the Geneva International Conference Centre, at the bar and restaurant located on the ground and first-floor levels. Other cafes, restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the meeting venue.

Banking facilities

Banking services are available at the nearby area, the closest one being UBS Switzerland AG Vermont-Nations located at Chemin Camille-Vidart 17b, 1202 Geneva.

Participants are requested to register online in advance of the meeting and obtain their meeting badge at the registration desk at the venue, upon presentation of one of the following valid identification documents, in Latin alphabets:

• Valid national passport issued by a government recognized by the United Nations;
• Valid national ID cards issued by a Schengen State;
• Valid travel document recognized by the UN.

The registration counter is located on the ground floor of the CICG and will have the following opening hours:

• Sunday, 2 November: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 pm
• Monday to Friday, 3 November to 7 November: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 pm

Access to the meeting venue is subject to the presentation of a valid meeting badge. For security reasons, the display of conference badge is mandatory at all times to get access to the meeting venue and meeting rooms. Any loss of a conference badge should be reported immediately to the registration counter.

Delegates are encouraged to obtain their conference badge/register prior to the morning of 3 November to reduce the queuing and lineups on the day of the official opening.

NOTE: Only the names of duly registered participants will be included in the list of participants of the meeting.

An exhibition space will be set up at the COP-6 venue, the Geneva International Convention Centre (CICG).

The exhibition intends to relay relevant information and showcase the efforts of governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector and academia towards the implementation of the Minamata Convention, in such areas as government policies, technologies, research, awareness raising or partnership.

Accepted exhibitors can find more information here.

The official opening of COP-6 will take place on Monday, 3 November 2025, at 10.00 a.m. The plenary sessions of the meeting are planned to be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The plenary sessions of the meeting will be live-streamed in 6 languages and the streaming will be made available through the COP-6 webpage and YouTube Channel.

The United Nations issued the Code of Conduct to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, at UN System events, which include meetings, conferences, side events, workshops and other events organized under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention is committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. Delegates are invited to familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct, which can be accessed here.

The Minamata Convention Secretariat has taken steps to enhance and promote the environmental sustainability of its activities, including in the preparation and conduct of its meetings.

The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP-6) will be conducted in accordance with the Secretariat’s environmental sustainability efforts. A number of measures will be put in place to reduce the environmental impact of COP-6 and offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions related to it.

The Secretariat will work with the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) and the caterer to reduce the environmental impact of their services. CICG and the caterer have adopted several measures to reduce their environmental footprint. For more information on the environmental measures taken by CICG, please consult the environmental chart of the Foundation for Buildings for International Organizations (FIPOI).

All participants have an essential role to play in reducing the environmental footprint of COP-6, and your support in this important effort is greatly appreciated.

Sustainability measures that will be adopted at the venue

Reducing waste production: COP-6 will aim at reducing wastes, especially plastic waste, at the meeting venue, in collaboration with CICG and the caterer:

1. The use of plastic in containers, bottles, sandwich wraps, cutlery and cups will be minimized and replaced with alternatives. Please see below a table of items that will be available at COP-6, and suggested actions to reduce waste production;
2. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring refillable drinking containers (cups, mugs, bottles) to be used at the Café/Restaurant and hydration stations located throughout the venue;
3. A discount on hot drinks will be offered by the caterer at the Café le 6ème Continent (Ground Floor) and at the Restaurant (First Floor) to the participants who use their own reusable cups;
4. The venue has a recycling programme, and recycling bins are disposed in various locations throughout the venue.

Paperless meeting: The meeting will be paperless and printed documents will not be provided. Pre-session documents will be available on the meeting’s website and in-session documents (such as conference room papers) will be available electronically via the COP-6 webpage. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops or tablets.

Suggested actions for participants to support greening COP-6

Participants who organize their own travel to and from Geneva are encouraged to take the following actions:

1. Calculate the CO2 emissions related to their travels, using the ICAO flight emissions calculator;
2. Offset their emissions, using the United Nations carbon offset platform and sending a copy of the attestation to the Secretariat at mea-minamatameetings [at] un.org to help track progress in offsetting COP-6 emissions;
3. Replace short flights with rail trips, where possible;
4. Opt for direct routes that avoid additional emissions associated with multiple take-offs and landings;
5. Voluntarily lower the flight class to avoid the higher footprint of business class trips;
6. Use sustainable transportation, including buses, biking, walking, or carpooling for local trips where possible;
7. Shift meals to plant-based, locally produced, in-season, or eco-certified alternatives where possible;
8. Seek out accommodations that have a green guest program or have earned an eco-certification;
9. Stay at accommodations that are within walking distance of the meeting venue;
10. Reduce food waste and other waste;
11. Bring refillable drinking containers (cups, mugs, bottles) to be used at the Café/Restaurant and hydration stations;
12. Download any electronic documents for use onsite. Printed copies will not be provided, but participants will be able to recharge their devices;
13. Participate in the venue's recycling program.

The following items will be available at the COP venue. Please consider suggested actions to reduce waste and make COP-6 greener.

Thank you for your effort to #greeningCOP6!

For more information, please contact Maria Irene Rizzo, Associate Expert, at irene.rizzo [at] un.org.

*Some of these actions are drawn from the document “United Nations Ozone Secretariat Event EMS Green Travel and Event Tips”.

First-aid and emergency medical services are available at the CICG. Delegates with a chronic illness should carry all necessary medication and medical items for the entire duration of the journey, in their original containers, clearly labeled. 

Delegates are advised to seek medical insurance with appropriate cover abroad, i.e. accident, sickness, medical repatriation and death. The United Nations does not cover life or medical insurance for participants. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the participants or of their Governments to obtain adequate insurance prior to travel to Switzerland. 

Participants with mobility issues requiring special arrangements are invited to contact the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention in advance of the meeting at: mea-minamatameetings [at] un.org

Currency and rate of exchange

Swiss Franc (CHF). Average exchange rates, as of 8 April 2025: 1 CHF ~1.17 USD. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants in Switzerland.

Electricity

Participants are kindly requested to bring their own power adaptors.

Voltage: 220 volts.
Frequency: 50 Hz.
Plug/socket: C (CEE 7/16), J.

Time zone

Switzerland is in CET time zone (UTC+1).

For further information on the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat, by e-mail at MEA-MinamataMeetings [at] un.org, or consult our website. 

COP-6 events provide an informal platform for Parties and observers to share information and highlight advances in technology, research and policy for the attention of Parties and the global community that the Convention serves. Two types of COP-6 events are offered: online events and Knowledge Lab sessions.

Online events run for one hour and are held virtually via the WebEx platform. The online events are scheduled for the week of 13-17 October. Check the full calendar here and register now.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by speakers, moderators, and participants during the pre-COP-6 online events are those of the individuals concerned and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Presentations delivered by representatives of the Secretariat reflect the official positions or perspectives of the Secretariat, unless otherwise stated.

Save the date and register now:

• 13h00-14h00 CEST: The Hidden Threat in the Mirror: Ending Mercury in Skin-Lightening Products (SLPs) Now! (Environment and Social Development Organization - ESDO, Asian Center for Environmental Health), check the presentations here.

  Join the Pre-COP-6 Online Event on 13 Oct 2025, 13:00–14:00 CEST: “The Hidden Threat in the Mirror: Ending Mercury in Skin-Lightening Products Now!”. Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), in partnership with The Asian Center for Environmental Health (ACEH), presents this webinar to highlight urgent action, share new research, and inspire global collaboration. Don’t miss this vital dialogue!

• 14h45-15h45 CEST: Integrating Chemicals and Waste Management into Biodiversity Conservation (UNEP, Convention on Biological Diversity), check the presentations and video recording here.

  This is an official online side event at the 2025 sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6) that aims to strengthen implementation of global environmental commitments through coherent and synergistic implementation of MEAs, the KMGBF and the Global Framework on Chemicals.

• 16h30-17h30 CEST: Advancing Mercury Waste Management: Solutions and Actions (Global Mercury Partnership Waste Management Area - Japan), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Join the Global Mercury Partnership Waste Management Area (GMP-WMA) for an interactive event on mercury waste management. Explore practical tools, best practices, and real examples, with updates on GMP-WMA activities and perspectives from key sectors. Open to governments, industry, NGOs, experts & organizations - especially those facing challenges in mercury waste management. Let's connect, share, and learn together!

• 18h00-19h00 CEST: Indigenous and Scientific Voices from the Amazon on Cross-Border Mercury Protection (Fundación Gaia Amazonas), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Amazonian indigenous leaders and scientists describe how mercury pollution from gold mining endangers vital ecosystems, indigenous territories, and human health. They will present firsthand evidence from the field, rigorous research, and possible solutions to protect the Amazon basin, focusing on border regions. Both traditional knowledge and Western science combine insights to tackle this serious crisis. This online event is conducted in Spanish.

Save the date and register now:

• 11h00-12h00 CEST: Managing mercury wastes in the healthcare sector: from existing tools to inclusive applications (UNEP Global Mercury Partnership), check the presentations and video recording here.

  The management of wastes from mercury containing products has been raising increasing concerns. This event will present latest tools and case studies highlighting collaborative efforts to support the safe and sound handling of wastes resulting from dental amalgam and mercury containing medical devices, with an emphasis on actions to reduce mercury exposure to protect human health and the environment.

• 13h00-14h00 CEST: Multi-country initiatives addressing air emissions of mercury (Minamata Convention Secretariat), check the presentations and video recording here.

  "Article 8 and Annex D of the Minamata Convention on Mercury address the emissions of mercury and mercury compounds to the atmosphere from specific point sources. The event will highlight initiatives supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), focusing on emissions from two major point source categories: 1. Coal-fired power plants in high-potential countries in Asia and Africa, and 2. Non-ferrous metals production facilities in six countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

• 14h45-15h45 CEST: Dental Amalgam phase down: alternatives, access, and implementation realities (FDI World Dental Federation, IADR), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Dental amalgam, valued for durability and affordability, is increasingly replaced by alternative restorative materials. This session unites global experts to review the clinical performance of these alternatives, address accessibility and affordability, and discuss the importance of collaboration for the successful implementation of dental amalgam phase-down or phase-out policies. Hear from leaders in government, research, and clinical practice to know the latest on dental amalgam and alternative restorative materials.

• 16h30-17h30 CEST: Strengthening the Minamata Convention: A new approach to the global mercury trade and use in ASGM (International Pollutants Elimination Network), more information and video recording here.

  This webinar addresses the important need to strengthen the convention by accelerating the end of the legal trade of mercury and primary mercury mining while establishing a phase-out date for mercury use in the ASGM sector. New biomonitoring data from indigenous communities impacted by ASGM and mercury pollution in Peru and Nicaragua will also be presented to highlight the human rights implications of allowing mercury use in ASGM to continue indefinitely.

Save the date and register now:

• 11h00-12h00 CEST: Overview of the Specific International Programme and sharing of lessons learned from completed projects (Minamata Convention Secretariat), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Article 13 of the Minamata Convention establishes a financial mechanism to support eligible parties to implement their Convention obligations. It includes the Specific International Programme (SIP) to support capacity-building and technical assistance which has to date supported 34 projects around the world. The side event will include remarks from a Co-Chair of the SIP Governing Board and presentations from project managers of Ecuador, North Macedonia, Senegal and Sri Lanka on the results and impacts of their SIP projects.

• 13h00-14h00 CEST: Effectiveness Evaluation: Draft report of the Open-ended Scientific Group (Minamata Convention Secretariat), check the presentations and video recording here.

  The Open-Ended Scientific Group (OESG) was established by COP-4 in 2022 to put together the mercury monitoring data and develop a scientific report for evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention. At this event, lead scientists working on air, biota, human and other monitoring, as well as mercury emission and modelling will present the work of OESG.

• 14h45-15h45 CEST: Actions and Measures to Phase Out Dental Amalgam by 2030 in the Arab Region (World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry).

  Join us! In collaboration with the Arab Centre for Environmental Health and with the approval of the Minamata Secretariat, the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry is hosting a pivotal event ahead of COP 6: "Actions and Measures to Phase Out Dental Amalgam by 2030 in the Arab Region". This event aims to support and learn from the African Proposal, promoting strategies to eliminate dental amalgam for a healthier, mercury-free future. Be a part of the movement!

• 16h30-17h30 CEST: Bridging Generations to #MakeMercuryHistory: New Tools and Partnerships for a Child- and Youth-Responsive Minamata Convention (Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform), check the presentations here.

  What will it take – technically, politically, and financially – to achieve a mercury-free future for all children and youth? Join this first-of-its-kind event spotlighting children & youth’s health, rights, and solutions to mercury pollution under the Minamata Convention. Youth leaders, UN partners and researchers will share the latest science and new resources, including the work to develop the Minamata Convention for Youth Toolkit and first Global Youth Declaration on Mercury.

• 18h00-19h00 CEST: An Integrated Approach for the Amazon: International Synergies in Combating Mercury Pollution and Defending Human Rights (Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development Perú), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Join us for the online event “An Integrated Approach for the Amazon” on the road to COP-6! We will explore the proposal for an Amazon Chapter in the Minamata Convention and how it connects with other key international treaties, such as the Escazú Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The event is conducted in Spanish.

Save the date and register now:

• 11h00-12h00 CEST: From Science to Action: Insights from the Minamata Convention and Emerging Priorities (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution), more information and video recording here.

  How can science better inform global action on chemicals, waste & pollution? Join our event exploring examples from the Minamata Convention and opportunities for the new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP). Policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders will share experience, discuss emerging priorities, especially around metals, metalloids & minerals, and share actionable ideas for the Panel’s early work.

• 13h00-14h00 CEST: The impacts of mercury exposure on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and ways to address them (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights), more information and video recording here.

  This event will explore how mercury exposure, particularly from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), threatens the health, rights, and cultures of Indigenous Peoples, including those in voluntary isolation. Building on voices of the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Indigenous Peoples, and other experts, the discussion will highlight human rights impacts and pathways to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ participation at the COP and in implementing the Minamata Convention.

• 14h45-15h45 CEST: Review of the Implementation of the Article 7 on ASGM: from guidance to implementation (UNEP Global Mercury Partnership), check the presentations and video recording here.

  After establishing ASGM mercury baselines in 35+ countries, UNEP and the GEF, with the Minamata Convention Secretariat are now supporting Parties to review their National Action Plans. This side-event will present UNEP’s new guidance on the Review of the Implementation of the Article 7 (RIA) and the first GEF funded project supporting 23 countries to conduct their RIA, hearing from all the teams involved in their development as well as from countries participating in the first round of RIA.

• 16h30-17h30 CEST: Measuring the Effectiveness of the Minamata Convention through Legal Indicators (International Center for Comparative Environmental Law).

  The Minamata Convention protects health and the environment from mercury. How to measure its effectivity? With innovative legal indicators, developed by experts and coordinated by CIDCE. Stay tuned — we will present them to you!

• 18h00-19h00 CEST: Engaging Online Platforms in Enforcing Restricted Product Policies for Mercury-added Cosmetics (Sri Lanka Consumer Affairs Authority, Zero Mercury Working Group), check the presentations here.

  Despite health risks, mercury is frequently added to skin lightening products (Hg/SLPs). While the Convention bans manufacture and trade of Hg/SLPs, their production and distribution continue based on testing by ZMWG, Sri Lanka and others. To curtail online trade, actions may be necessary that go beyond the reach of national legislation. This event will showcase complementary regulatory and voluntary approaches and case law example (e.g. Amazon settlement) to prevent online sale of Hg/SLPs. Read the agenda here.

Save the date and register now:

• 11h00-12h00 CEST: Managing Mercury in Offshore Oil and Gas: Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities (Global Mercury Partnership Oil & Gas Working Group), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Mercury is a significant issue for the offshore oil and gas industry, potentially released through emissions and discharges across the activity life cycle. This event will examine pathways to the marine environment from operations through to decommissioning, discuss challenges and opportunities for managing mercury, and conclude with envisaged opportunities, including the establishment an Oil & Gas working group under the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership.

• 13h00-14h00 CEST: An evidence-based pathway to mercury-free materials for the prevention and management of dental caries (World Health Organization), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Join us to explore the latest evidence on mercury-free materials and techniques to prevent, arrest and restore carious teeth. Learn about the forthcoming WHO Guideline on Environmentally Friendly and Less Invasive Oral Health Care, and hear country success stories in transitioning away from dental amalgam. These efforts support the implementation of the Minamata Convention and are aligned with the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030, and the Bangkok Declaration—No Health without Oral Health.

• 14h45-15h45 CEST: Pollution of Lufupa river by Mercury in Kasempa district (Save Environment and People Agency Zambia), check the presentations here.

  Mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining threatens communities along the Lufupa River in Zambia’s Kasempa district. With limited resources, Save Environment and People Agency (SEPA) has raised awareness and promoted safer practices, but expanding gold discoveries demand greater support to safeguard people and the environment. Join Mailes Zulu Muke (SEPA), Tukiya Muke (SEPA) and Vincent Kyamasengo (Vincent Green Environmental Foundation) to learn more.

• 16h30-17h30 CEST: Evaluating Mercury’s Impact on the Food Chain Across Six Mining Regions in Ghana (Pure Earth), check the presentations and video recording here.

  Join this Minamata Convention Online Event: Evaluating Mercury’s Impact on the Food Chain Across Six Mining Regions in Ghana. Hosted by Pure Earth with the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, this virtual workshop will present findings from a new study on mercury contamination in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities in Ghana.

It should be noted that organizers of the online events are fully responsible for the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Organizing and promoting the event,
• Mainstreaming the event beyond the Minamata Convention website so that it secures as broad an audience as possible,
• Inviting panelists and speakers,
• Ensuring that relevant team members (e.g. moderator and technical assistants) attend the training session arranged by the Secretariat,
• Covering any expenses related to the participation of the panelists and speakers, e.g., communications allowance, etc. (if and as relevant),
• Preparing a short final report with a summary of the outcomes of the event for the purpose of being published on the Minamata Convention website (if consent is not given to record and livestream), and
• Giving due consideration to any media / social media activities relating to events, in cooperation with the Secretariat media team.

NOTE:

• Online events are limited to 60 minutes in duration, conducted using the WebEx platform and will be broadcasted on the Convention’s YouTube channel.
• Organizers must make sure that all the panelists join at least 15 minutes before their respective events and test their Audio-Video settings.
• Online Events seek to take account of global time zones. Organizers are expected to strictly keep to the schedule.

Special events will be primarily in-person and held in Geneva alongside COP-6 (3–7 November), starting on the preceding day and continuing throughout the week. The programme will feature high-level discussions, thematic panels, movie screenings, and a photo exhibition displayed on the lakeshore of Geneva.

Secretariat briefing on financial resources and mechanism

This in-person briefing will provide detailed information in accordance with Article 13 of the Convention. It will be held from 13h00 to 14h30 CET at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG), Switzerland, level 0, Plenary C.

This briefing will focus on Party obligations and deadlines under the Convention as well as related progress and identified challenges; status of the Global Environment Facility financing on mercury and the Specific International Programme; update on the GEF-9 replenishment process; and elements related to the third review of the financial mechanism. The session will include an interactive question and answer session. More information coming soon.

From Science to Action: Protecting the Amazon from Mercury Pollution

This in-person event, organized in coordination with the Geneva Environment Network, will take place from 17h30 to 20h00 CET at the CICG, level 0, Room A.

The event will highlight the work of Fernando Trujillo, conservation scientist and National Geographic Rolex Explorer of the Year, who will share insights from decades of research and his advocacy against mercury pollution. Aileen Mioko Smith, Executive Director of Green Action in Japan and co-author of Minamata with photographer W. Eugene Smith, will connect the legacy of Minamata disease to current challenges in the Amazon and introduce the COP-6 photo exhibit Minamata: Photographer’s Eye Project.

The dialogue will be followed by a screening of the documentary Amazon, the New Minamata?, which portrays the impacts of mercury on Indigenous Peoples of Brazil’s Tapajós River. Learn more.

Driving Effective and Inclusive Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

This special event with high-level participation will facilitate the exchange of experiences and feature actions to implement the Minamata Convention that also bring other socio-economic, human and environmental benefits. It will take place in-person from 13h15 to 14h30 CET at the CICG, level 0, Room A.

The event will feature diverse voices, including high-level representatives from Parties, IGOs and MEA secretariats, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, youth and scientists engaged in environmental causes. Learn more.

The planetGOLD Programme – Learnings and Looking Ahead

This in-person special event will share observations and lessons learned from an analysis of the first phase of the planetGOLD programme, from 13h15 to 14h45 CET at the CICG, level 0, Room A.

The event will focus on best practices and challenges for formalization, technology transfer, and improving miner access to finance and markets, and will look ahead to the next phase of the programme. Lunch will be served. Information on speakers and additional details will be shared shortly. Learn more.

Launch of the Women Caucus of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

For the first time, the Women's Caucus will participate to the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention, which will be held from 3 to 7 November 2025 in Geneva. The launch will take place from 13h00 to 14h00 CET at the CICG, level 2, Room 14.

The Women’s Caucus is a space for advancing the equality and empowerment of women within the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It provides a self-organized framework for collective action guided by shared experiences and perspectives on preventing women’s exposure to mercury and driving positive change for women in mercury-related decision-making processes. Learn more.

Detoxifying Cosmetics​ and Beauty Ideals: Movie screening and panel discussion

The Global Mercury Partnership together with the Graduate Institute, World Health Organization, and Biodiversity Research Institute will organize an in-person event from 18h15 to 20h15 CET at the Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland.

The panel will feature representatives of the Minamata Convention, influential artists, voices, and changemakers who will share stories, solutions, and a vision for a safer, more equitable future. The discussion will be followed by the screening of Timpi Tampa, a Senegalese film that uses humor and emotion to challenge toxic beauty standards and celebrates the power of diversity. Learn more.

Humanæ of Angelica Dass: photo exhibition 

A photographic exhibition will be on display on the lakeshore of Geneva (Quai Gustave-Ador) by the Global Mercury Partnership from 27 October to 16 November.

Humanæ of Angelica Dass is a reflection on the color of the skin, attempting to document humanity’s true colors rather than the untrue labels “white”, “red”, “black” and “yellow” associated with race. Challenging stereotypes and narrow beauty ideals, the exhibition reinforces that mercury has no place in cosmetics and calls for beauty standards that embrace uniqueness and diversity, not toxic chemicals. Learn more about the exhibiton.

© Shiota Takeshi

Minamata Photographers' Eye Project

A photographic exhibition will be on display at the International Conference Centre Geneva, Switzerland, throughout COP-6 from 3 to 7 November.

At COP-6, the Secretariat is proud to showcase the powerful photographic legacy of Minamata, the tragedy that sparked a global movement and the treaty to address mercury pollution. The images in the exhibit, captured over 65 years, reveal both the devastating impact of methylmercury poisoning and the resilience of affected communities. Through this exhibit, the organizer, Minamata Eye Project, aims to preserve these visual testimonies and engage participants in meaningful dialogue on how we can raise global awareness and prevent future environmental disasters. Join us in honoring Minamata’s story and shaping a safer, mercury-free future.

Knowledge Lab sessions take place during the COP at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) and are designed to provide an opportunity for organizers to engage with COP-6 participants and showcase their work in an open space set-up through a 45-minute knowledge-sharing session. You can check the calendar of knowledge labs here.

Save the date:

• 14:00–14:45: From Science to Policy – Integrating Data for the First Effectiveness Evaluation (Open-Ended Scientific Group, Minamata Convention Secretariat). Location: Room 3, Level -1. Watch the recording here and full presentations here.

  The first effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention integrates science and policy. Our Knowledge Lab will provide an overview of the evaluation process and share findings from the scientific modelling community (MCHgMAP) on mercury trends in air, oceans & land to support long-term decision-making.

• 18:00–18:45: Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising health interventions (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights). Location: Room 3, Level -1

  This meeting, co-organized by IPEN, OHCHR, the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and Mexico, will address the lack of implementation of Article 16 of the Minamata Convention on health. With a focus on the human rights of groups in vulnerable situations, especially women, children, and Indigenous Peoples, the event will highlight urgent health impacts of mercury, explore strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and share guidance to strengthen health systems and professional capacity.

• 18:00–18:45: InforMEA in Action: Supporting Minamata Convention Implementation through Digital Tools and Legal Transparency (UN Environment Programme Law Division). Location: Space A, Level 0

  At #MinamataCOP6, step into our Knowledge Lab. Discover how digital tools & legal transparency support the Minamata Convention; from aligning laws to tracking COP decisions and national reporting. With live demos, expert insights from other Conventions, and real-world cases, see how #InforMEA drives mercury reduction, justice & #SDG16.

• 18:00–18:45: Learning from the Past Experience and into the Future: from Minamata High School  (Minamata High School, Japan; Ministry of Environment, Japan). Location: Space B, Level 0

  Minamata High School students are turning their local history into global action! Hear from Norimi Motoyama on their intensive Mercury Studies curriculum, which includes expert lectures, visits to the JNC factory, and research into the science behind Minamata Disease. Additionally, Mio Iwasaka will share results from her critical survey on High School students' awareness and understanding of mercury in the affected community. Don't miss this presentation that connects education, local legacy, and global health.

• 18:00–18:45: Mining Impacts Calculator: A Tool for Mercury Impact Assessment in ASGM (Brazil Ministry of Environment, Conservation Strategy Fund Brazil). Location: Room 4, Level -1

  Discover the Mining Impacts Calculator at #COP6! This innovative tool quantifies the social & environmental costs of artisanal gold mining, focusing on #mercury pollution. Learn how it helps calculate financial compensation, plan mitigation, including investigations and legal proceedings. Join our #KnowledgeLab to see a live demo and explore its application in the Amazon.

Save the date:

• 14:00–14:45: Detoxifying Cosmetics and Beauty Ideals: Global voices and solutions to reduce demand for mercury and skin lightening (UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch). Location: Room 3, Level -1

  Mercury in skin lightening products threatens health, the environment, and human rights, yet harmful beauty norms drive their use. This panel unites governments, advocates, and the private sector to share solutions – from public education and policy change to ethical consumer engagement. Join us to spotlight the risks, challenge discriminatory beauty standards, and elevate global voices working to end mercury and colorism-fueled cosmetics.

• 14:00–14:45: Minamata Disease: Bearing Witness through Photography - Lessons from Minamata for Tomorrow’s Challenges  (Minamata Photographers' Eye Project). Location: Space A, Level 0

  2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the official discovery of Minamata Disease. For over half a century, photographers have documented this devastating case of industrial pollution in Japan. Aileen Mioko Smith co-authored the landmark book Minamata, which inspired the 2020 Hollywood film. At the event, she will share images from her three years photographing the tragedy, reflect on its lessons, and introduce the other photographers of the Minamata Photographers’ Eye Project.

• 14:00–14:45: How Partnerships and Research Infrastructures Enhance Implementation of the Minamata Convention (Czech Republic / RECETOX, Masaryk University). Location: Space B, Level 0

  This Knowledge Lab brings together three organizations to showcase innovative tools supporting the national implementation of Minamata Convention. GEO showcases GOS4M, a platform for real-time mercury data; PARC presents tools for population exposure and risk mitigation; and EIRENE offers open-access research infrastructure for labs and monitoring networks. Join this session to discover how science–policy partnerships are strengthening the global response to mercury challenges.

• 18:00–18:45: Building the Evidence: Linking Human and Biota Mercury Monitoring under the Minamata Convention (Open-Ended Scientific Group, Jožef Stefan Institute, Biodiversity Research Institute, Dartmouth College). Location: Space A, Level 0

  This Knowledge Lab highlights how harmonized human biomonitoring and biota mercury monitoring provide complementary evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention. Presentations will show new data and tools developed through the OESG and UNEP collaborations, demonstrating how coordinated global measurements strengthen policy and community protection.

• 18:00–18:45: Shaping Action: Confronting the Illegal Mercury Trade (Environmental Investigation Agency - US). Location: Room 3, Level -1

  Join our Knowledge Lab inspired by the Environmental Investigation Agency-US report, Traffickers Leave No Stone Unturned. We’ll discuss the role of illegal mercury flows--especially tied to illicit gold mining--in reducing the effectiveness of the Minamata  Convention  on  Mercury. Panelists will explore the scale of illicit trade, how to strengthen cooperation across Parties and stakeholders, and identify actionable steps for addressing criminal supply chains and supporting impacted communities.

• 18:00–18:45: Technical Manual for the Care of Indigenous Peoples Exposed to Mercury: A Health-Based Approach Rooted in Rights and Territory (Secretariat of Indigenous Health - Brazilian Ministry of Health). Location: Space B, Level 0

  Brazil presents a new Technical Manual to guide health services in caring for Indigenous peoples exposed to mercury. Rooted in rights, territory and equity, the Manual translates evidence into clinical pathways, screening and follow-up within the SUS. Join us at COP-6 to discuss implementation and cooperation to protect communities and strengthen health responses.

Save the date:

• 14:00–14:45: Parties Perú and Bangladesh Present Prototypes for Mercury-Free Dentistry in the Americas and Asia (World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry). Location: Space A, Level 0

  With the unanimous statement of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and amalgam bans across Europe, attention shifts to Asia and the Americas. Perú and Bangladesh have model plans! Perú adopted legislation, strictest in the mercury-laden Amazon. Bangladesh went step-by-step: military, dental schools, civil society MOU. Co-sponsored by the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and with dentist speakers, this Knowledge Lab will show the world that amalgam can be phased out on a rapid timetable. Now is the time to end the amalgam era in dentistry.

• 14:00–14:45: Fostering the integration of chemicals pollution into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): latest tools and countries’ perspectives (UNEP). Location: Room 2, Level -1

  The world faces a triple planetary crisis, with biodiversity loss fueled by pollution and waste mismanagement. Mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining and other processes and uses contaminates ecosystems and species such as fish and seafood. This session will share guidance, country experiences, and feedback on integrating and mainstreaming pollution into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans under the CBD and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

• 14:00–14:45: Informing Integrated Chemicals Management: Data Needs and Experience from Mercury (UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution). Location: Space B, Level 0

  How can data drive better chemicals management? Join UNEP’s Knowledge Lab on 6 Nov to explore the power of data to support integrated chemicals management, learn from mercury success stories, and discover ideas in science-policy collaboration. 

• 14:00–14:45: Advancing Gender-Inclusive Solutions in ASGM (Natural Resources Defense Council - planetGOLD programme). Location: Room 3, Level -1

  Join the planetGOLD Programme and the World Bank’s Africa Environmental Health and Pollution Management Programme (AEHPMP) on Thursday, November 6 at 14:00 in the exhibition area for a Knowledge Lab on empowering women in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Hear from planetGOLD Bolivia and AEHPMP projects in Ghana and Tanzania as they share tools, strategies, and stories of partnering with women miners to improve opportunities and working conditions through training and technical support.

• 18:00–18:45: Indigenous Peoples and Mercury Monitoring: Experiences in Promoting Human Rights and Co-production of Knowledge Approaches in the Arctic and the Amazon (Inuit Circumpolar Council, Federación Nativa del Río Madre de Dios y Afluentes). Location: Plenary C, Level 0

  This Knowledge Lab will showcase community-led mercury monitoring initiatives in Indigenous territories of the Arctic and the Amazon. It will highlight how these efforts contribute to safeguarding human rights, advancing environmental justice, and co-producing knowledge that strengthens global mercury governance.

• 18:00–18:45: GEF-UNDP Experiences on the Elimination of Mercury from Consumer and Healthcare Products (United Nations Development Programme). Location: Room 3, Level -1

  Join us at #COP6Minamata! Discover GEF-UNDP experiences in eliminating mercury from consumer and healthcare products. Learn from China, Ecuador, and Ghana on their journey of phasing out mercury devices, promoting mercury-free alternatives, and managing wastes.

Save the date:

• 14:00–14:45: Mercury Wastes Management in countries: latest advances and experience in protecting human health and the Environment (UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, BRS Conventions Secretariat). Location: Space A, Level 0

  Learn more about recent tools and projects on the environmentally sound disposal of mercury containing waste under both the Minamata and the Basel Conventions. The session will highlight progress made by sharing recent knowledge from countries involved in the phase out/down of mercury containing products, including on training tools developed by the Minamata Secretariat, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat in cooperation with the Global Mercury Partnership and its area of work on Mercury Waste Management.

• 14:00–14:45: Mercury reduction in artisanal gold mining using local knowledge and practical strategies - from data to action (Alliance for Responsible Mining). Location: Space B, Level 0

  This presentation explores strategies to eliminate mercury use in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining through stakeholder engagement. It shows that effective mercury mitigation depends not only on data transparency and reliability, but also on technologies that incorporate local knowledge. Using real-life examples of community-led practices, it highlights why effective stakeholder engagement is critical for practitioners and decision-makers in mercury mitigation.