New Chapter for the GEF as Financial Mechanism of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

Kumamoto, Japan, October 10, 2013 – The text of the Minamata Convention has been adopted at the Diplomatic Conference. The Convention is now open for signature and has been signed by over 80 countries in Kumamoto. The Convention designates the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as an entity comprising the financial mechanism under the Convention.

“This is a historic step forward to protect the human health and the environment from mercury pollution. The GEF is honored about our new role and responsibility in the financial mechanism of the Convention,” said Dr. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF. “I am humbled with the confidence the international community has placed in the GEF to provide financial support for developing countries and countries with economies in transition to implement their obligations under the Convention. The GEF is determined to do what is necessary to support countries to rapidly ratify and implement the Convention.”

The GEF has provided support to the negotiations of the Convention and now stands ready to support the early entry into force of this important Convention. The GEF will provide up to $10 million for the funding of an early action pre-ratification program for the Convention to be programmed immediately upon request by eligible signatory countries. The program will help the countries assess their national situation in terms of mercury, including the use and production of mercury, sources of mercury emissions and releases, and necessary policy and regulatory changes to ratify and implement the Convention. These investments will cover the remaining period of GEF5 till the end of June 2014.

To help advance the negotiations of the global mercury instrument, the GEF supported mercury projects and programs on a pilot basis. To date, the GEF has funded 17 projects in 21 countries with $34 million GEF funding. In the 6^th GEF replenishment, which is under negotiation, support for the Minamata Convention on Mercury is one of the central aspects of the discussions. We are working with the donors of the GEF to ensure that this historic Convention is adequately funded.

About the Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.

Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $11.5 billion in grants and leveraging $57 billion in co-financing for over 3,215 projects in over 165 countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP), the GEF has also made more than 16,030 small grants directly to civil society and community based organizations, totaling $653.2 million.

 

Contact:

Mr. Ibrahima Sow | Chemicals Cluster Coordinator, GEF

Phone: +1-202-473-2716 | E-mail: isow@thegef.org