CLOCK TICKING: TIME RUNNING OUT TO ADDRESS THE GLOBAL MERCURY CRISIS

One small light in the dark tunnel of the negotiation was a resolution on reducing mercury use in small scale gold mining through developing national action plans.  Yet even this small advance was overshadowed by the loophole on determining who are “significant” users of mercury. Unless this is defined, large users may walk away from their responsibility.

Regrettably, countries from the north are united in opposing a separate health article in the treaty to help countries assess and reduce exposure to mercury.  This is something that China, the Latin American and African regions have all called for

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