In response to a call from fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-5) to develop an Implementation Programme to engage economic and industry sectors, the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) is pleased to announce a global, multi-stakeholder workshop hosted at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, Boulogne), in Paris, France from Monday 24 - Wednesday 26 February 2025 (noon).

If you are interested in participating, you can register your interest by 20 December 2024 (if requesting funding) and by 26 January 2025 (if self-funded) through this form. Limited travel support is available for participants from developing countries, countries with economies in transition, civil society, and workers groups.

Workshop Objectives (draft)

The workshop will serve as an important event to advance the development of a GFC Industry Implementation Programme and address related GFC topics of relevance to industry. A dedicated day will focus on opportunities to engage with organizations involved in disclosure and sustainability reporting, and private and public financial investments. 

The workshop has the following objectives:

• Raise awareness of the GFC and its industry targets in important economic and industry sectors.
• Develop guidance to develop industry strategies under GFC Target D6 that is of practical value to industry.
• Take stock of and explore opportunities to engage organizations in aligning sustainability reporting standards and guidance with the GFC.
• Generate momentum to engage financial stakeholders in implementing GFC Target D3 dealing with private sector financing.
• Develop a draft mandate, Terms of Reference, and initial workplan for a GFC Implementation Programme to engage economic and industry sectors along value chains.
• Explore opportunities to initiate development of specific industry sector GFC implementation programmes.

Workshop outcomes will feed into the GFC Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2025. 

A dedicated day on industry disclosure, sustainability reporting, and financing (Tuesday, 25 February 2025).

Day 2 of the workshop on 25 February 2025 will focus on the interface of industry disclosure, sustainability reporting, and financing along the chemical value chain and related stakeholder initiatives. An important aspect of the discussions will be how existing initiatives can take account of, and possibly align with, the GFC.

Participation 

Workshop participants include environment, health, and sustainability managers from industry associations and companies and the chemical value chain, as well as representative from government, civil society, and labour organizations. If you are interested in participating, you may still register your interest through this LINK until 26 January 2025 if you are a selffunded participant. Limited travel support for participants, for example those from developing countries, countries with economies in transition and civil society/labour organizations, will be allocated in January based on interest registered in December. If you have any questions, please contact Oliver Wootton and Giang Pham (oliver.wootton [at] unitar.org; giang.pham [at] unitar.org). For more information about the IOMC work to support the GFC and implementation programmes, please click here.