Experts discuss digital cooperation to advance SDGs on chemicals and waste

The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury joined sister conventions (BRS and CITES), national delegates, youth representatives, and private sector actors at the event “See the Unseen: Leveraging MEAs and Digital Tools for SDG Progress in Chemicals and Waste”.

Opening the session, Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Director of the UNEP Law Division, emphasized the unique value of InforMEA. “It is more than a repository of treaties; it connects and provides access to institutional information in a meaningful way,” she said. “It supports countries with limited capacities, tracks implementation across multiple environmental agreements, and ultimately helps bridge the gap towards a sustainable path forward. We are more committed than ever to take it to the next level to serve people and the planet”.

Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention, framed the event’s theme in the context of broader development objectives. “To tackle environmental challenges effectively, we must recognize the need to also address economic and social dimensions”, she noted. “We now stand in a much stronger position to shape SDGs through interconnections and inclusive collaboration. InforMEA helps us come to a common narrative, bridging gaps and aligning efforts for greater impact”.

The event showcased practical tools and strategic approaches used by MEAs to track and accelerate progress on chemicals and waste targets. Key demonstrations included the integration of MEA strategic plans with SDG indicators and innovative tagging systems that enable more coherent data visualization.

During the panel discussion, Anna Garcia Sans, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer of the Minamata Convention Secretariat, emphasized the importance of collaborative digitalization. “Your platform [InforMEA] plays a critical role in connecting and making information accessible, an effort that directly supports better governance and SDG progress”, she said. After introducing the Secretariat’s digital strategy, Garcia-Sans outlined the Convention’s recent advances: a dynamic projects dashboard interoperable with the GEF, the data-driven country profiles, and a new thematic section. “By focusing on user-centered design, structured content, and clear data storytelling, we help parties align their work with broader sustainability goals”, she added.

As global efforts intensify to address the complexity of chemicals and waste management, the Minamata Convention reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation, innovation, and digital transformation, laying the groundwork for deeper impact and a more sustainable future.

For event photos, visit: Minamata MEA Flickr album 

More informantion on the event: UNEP webpage