By:- Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang
Dr. Dawda Badgie, the Executive Director of the National Environment Agency is leading a Gambian delegation to the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions of Conference Of Parties (BRS-COP) currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
As a Party to the Convention, the delegation is participating in series of meetings and sessions of this important international environmental negotiations. The BRS COP is a significant international platform addressing issues related to the management and transportation of hazardous chemicals and waste.
As Head of The Gambian delegation representing the African region, Dr, Badgie told the COP that the Conference Room Paper (CRP) submitted is calling for a decision on cooperation between the Bamako Convention and the BRS Conventions. He revealed that the Africa Region and its 54 member states strongly believe that a living and robust Bamako Convention in Africa will strengthen the implementation of the Basel Convention in Africa.
Dr. Dawda Badgie addressing BRS COP 2025
According to Dr. Badgie, the Bamako Convention was established in 1991 under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity now African Union as a regional Basel Article 11 agreement to better address chemical and waste concerns of the African Region. The Basel Convention, through Article 11, encourages parties to conclude bilateral, multilateral, and regional equivalent or stronger agreements on hazardous wastes to help achieve the objectives of the Basel Convention. He pointed out.
“The Bamako Convention entered into force in 1998 and is currently administered by a small budget by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) within the framework of Resolution 1/16 of the First United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP in June 2014 that authorizes the Executive Director to carry out the Secretariat functions of the Bamako Convention”.
Due to inadequate funding and a need for greater resource mobilization the Bamako Convention has only been able to hold three Conferences of Parties since its establishment 25 years ago, Dr. Badgie therefore called BRS to inject financial and technical support to resuscitate the Bamako Convention.
Adding on, it is envisaged that a strong synergies and common objectives of the Bamako Convention with BRS Conventions on issues of waste management and transboundary movements to the Africa continent calls for effective cooperation and close collaboration.
In his continued address to the COP, Dr. Badgie said, “Therefore Madame President, the African region believes that through a coordinated approach, the effective implementation of the convergent objectives in the African region of the Basel and Bamako Conventions could be improved and benefit greatly from a mutually supportive structure. A new, sustainable strategy for resource mobilization as well as a sharing of services between UNEP and the BRS Conventions with the Bamako Convention can enhance all of these interrelated institutions while respecting the autonomy of the respective missions and accountability of their executive obligations”.
Madame President, distinguished delegates, as I listen to deliberation during the high-level segment, what is very clear to us all is the fact that environmental pollution facing this planet earth in which we all depend on for our existence and does not recognized boundaries nor does it need any permission or require visa process to enter into another country globally. Environmentally, world is a global village where everyone is connected to one another.
In addressing these complex global environmental challenges, Badgie said this requires a systemic approach and collective responsibilities aa a golden opportunity to do our best to contribute positively to meet those common objectives to make this planet a better place for all to live and cherished and other God created creatures.
Lamin Jaiteh, The Gambia is Co-Chairing the Contact Group for Stockholm Convention listing of Chemicals.
In conclusion, Dr, Badgie reasoned the African Region submitted a CRP proposing a text set out in paragraph 25 of the Proposed Actions under the agenda item 5 (b) on international cooperation and coordination with other organizations, to initiate cooperation between BRS conventions and the Bamako Convention.
The team is being technically supported by Lamin Jaiteh, the Registrar of Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides at the National Environment Agency and The Gambia`s Co-Chair to the Contact Group for Stockholm Convention listing of Chemicals.
