Get regular updates from Minamata Convention
Highlighted
News
Minamata Convention Secretariat participates in the 20th Annual Meeting of the Green Customs Initiative
On 14 and 15 April, the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention participated in the 20th Annual Meeting of the Green Customs Initiative (GCI) held in Vienna, Austria.
Newsletter
Minamata Convention updates: April newsletter
Learn more about the adoption of the dental amalgam amendment, new webinars linked to ICMGP 2026 and the Escazú Agreement COP-4, the GEF-9 replenishment, a major scientific report, and more.
Minamata Online
ICMGP and Minamata Convention
The International Conference of Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) started in 1991 to gather mercury scientists from all over the world to discuss the global solution to mercury pollution.
From the Executive Secretary
Review of the draft scientific report of the Open-ended Scientific Group for effectiveness evaluation
I am pleased to announce that the Open-ended Scientific Group (OESG), established pursuant to decision MC- 4/11, has developed a draft scientific report for review and comments by Parties.
Highlights
UNEP: Fifth round (2026) of the Global Interlaboratory Assessment on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Mercury
Learn more about how interested laboratories can participate in the fifth round of the Global Interlaboratory Assessment, under the Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme (GCMP).
Highlights
GEF press release: Countries pledge $3.9 billion to Global Environment Facility towards ambitious ninth replenishment
Read the GEF story about how this four-year financing commitment supports accelerated action by developing countries towards 2030 environmental goals.
Highlights
Webinar: Implementing Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) for fulfilling international and national commitments to mitigate pollution
Register to this Escazu COP-4 virtual side event with the Aarhus and Minamata Convention Secretariats, national and regional experts, focused on experiences and opportunities for cooperation.
Highlights
Detoxifying cosmetics and beauty ideals to fight racism
On the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day, visit the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership's webpage to explore global and regional efforts for mercury-free cosmetics.
Highlights
Webinar: Launch of the WHO guideline on environmentally friendly and less invasive oral health care for preventing and managing dental caries
The Minamata Convention Secretariat will join the webinar hosted by the World Health Organization on 19 March (13h00-14h30 CET) to celebrate Oral Health Day, held in English, French and Spanish.
About the Minamata Convention
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is the most recent global agreement on environment and health, adopted in 2013. It is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health damage that became known as the "Minamata disease."
Since it entered into force on 16 August 2017, Parties have been working together to control the mercury supply and trade, reduce the use, emission and release of mercury, raise public awareness, and build the necessary institutional capacity to #MakeMercuryHistory