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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.
Governing Board of the Specific International Programme
The Governing Board of the Specific International Programme (SIP Governing Board) oversees and implements the guidance of the Conference of the Parties, including decision-making on SIP projects. At its first meeting, the SIP Governing Board adopted its Rules of Procedure to support its functioning and that of the SIP. The Governing Board allocates available funding to selected projects following the appraisal by the Secretariat of applications from eligible parties, using the criteria set at its first meeting.
The SIP Governing Board consists of 10 members from Parties. Each of the five United Nations regions is responsible for nominating two members. The members are nominated every two years by regional groups and their membership is confirmed by the Conference of the Parties.
Members of the Governing Board of the Specific International Programme (2024-2025)
- For Africa: Liliane Randrianomenjanahary (Madagascar) and Obed Meringo Baloyi (South Africa)
- For Asia and the Pacific: Luay Sadeq Almukhtar (Iraq) and R. H. M. P. Abeykoon (Sri Lanka)
- For Central and Eastern Europe: Mario Vujić (Croatia) and Suzana Andonova (North Macedonia)
- For Latin America and the Caribbean: Ana Cristina Linhares (Brazil) and Michele Astwood (Guyana)
- For Western Europe and Others: Rafael Zubrzycki (Germany) and Andrew Clark (USA)
Members of the Governing Board of the Specific International Programme (2022-2023)
- For Africa: Olubunmi Olusanya (Nigeria) and Anne Nakafeero (Uganda)
- For Asia and the Pacific: Dr. Satyendra Kumar (India) and Wasantha Dissanayake (Sri Lanka)
- For Central and Eastern Europe: Mario Vujić (Croatia) and Suzana Andonova (North Macedonia)
- For Latin America and the Caribbean: Helges Samuel Bandeira (Brazil) and Tiffany van Ravenswaay (Suriname)
- For Western Europe and Others: Rafael Zubrzycki (Germany) and Andrew Clark (USA)
Members of the Governing Board of the Specific International Programme (2020-2021)
- For Africa: Olubunmi Olusanya (Nigeria) and Aïta Sarr Seck (Senegal)
- For Asia and the Pacific: Prasert Tapaneeyangkul (Thailand) and Mohsen Naziri Asl (Iran)
- For Central and Eastern Europe: Kaupo Heinma (Estonia) and Anahit Aleksandryn (Armenia)
- For Latin America and the Caribbean: Pedro Piacesi de Souza / Helges Bandeira (Brazil) and Gina Griffith (Suriname)
- For Western Europe and Others: Reggie Hernaus (The Netherlands) and Atle Fretheim (Norway)
Founding Governing Board (2018-2019)
- For Africa: Sam Adu-Kumi (Ghana) and Younous Adoum Abdallah (Chad)
- For Asia and the Pacific: Prasert Tapaneeyangkul (Thailand) and WTB Dissanayake (Sri Lanka)
- For Central and Eastern Europe: Kaupo Heinma (Estonia) and Anahit Aleksandryn (Armenia)
- For Latin America and the Caribbean: Florencia Grimalt (Argentina) and Nero Cunha Ferreira (Brazil)
- For Western Europe and Others: Reggie Hernaus (The Netherlands) and Atle Fretheim (Norway)
