By Abdullahi Lukman
The European Union has committed more than €500,000 to support the implementation of key decisions adopted at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The funding will enable the Convention’s Secretariat to carry out targeted activities under the 2026–2027 Programme of Work, which largely depends on voluntary financial contributions from member Parties.
COP6 was held in Geneva from November 3 to 7, 2025, under the leadership of Osvaldo Álvarez of Chile, who was elected during COP5.
According to the Secretariat, the EU support will strengthen technical, scientific, and policy assistance in critical areas including mercury-added skin-lightening products, dental amalgam, mercury supply sources and trade, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
The funding will also support scientific cooperation, digital strategy implementation, and policy coherence.
The Secretariat noted that the financial assistance will help Parties advance ratification efforts, improve implementation measures, and contribute to the Convention’s objective of protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury.
The seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) is scheduled to take place in Geneva from September 6 to 10, 2027, marking the 10th anniversary of the Convention’s entry into force.
