Minamata Convention:
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The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds.
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It was agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Geneva, Switzerland 2013.
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Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury throughout its lifecycle is one of the key obligations under the Convention.
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The Convention also addresses interim storage of mercury and its disposal once it becomes waste, sites contaminated by mercury as well as health issues.
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The Convention covers all aspects of the life cycle of mercury, controlling and reducing mercury across a range of products, processes and industries. This includes controls on:
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mercury mining
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the manufacture and trade of mercury and products containing mercury
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disposal of mercury waste
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emissions of mercury from industrial facilities.
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Countries that have ratified the Convention are bound by international law to put these controls in place.
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India has ratified the Convention.
Bali Declaration:
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Fourth Conference of Parties (COP4) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury was held in Bali, Indonesia in March 2022.
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Objectives of Declaration:
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Develop practical tools and notification and information-sharing systems for monitoring and managing trade in mercury.
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Exchange experiences and practices relating to combating illegal trade in mercury, including reducing the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
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Share examples of national legislation and data and information related to such trade.
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