VICTORIA, Seychelles — The 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, collectively known as the Chemicals Conventions, were held in Geneva from April 28 to May 9, with a High-Level Segment from April 30 to May 1. The conventions are global treaties aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the harmful impacts of hazardous chemicals and waste.
Approximately 1,600 participants took part in the meetings, which had the theme “Make Visible the Invisible: Sound Management of Chemicals and Wastes”. The sessions aimed to enhance national implementation of the three international treaties that govern hazardous chemicals. Seychelles acceded to the Basel Convention in August 1993 and the Stockholm Convention in September 2008, and has been an active participant in the negotiations on a range of issues, including the proposed strategic framework for the Basel Convention and regulations on e-waste.
At country level, Seychelles is currently updating its National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention. The country is also implementing a five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), titled “Indian Ocean ISLANDS – Seychelles: Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in SIDS”. The project supports actions identified in the National Implementation Plan on POPs and addresses recommendations from the 2016 Mercury Initial Assessment Report. Seychelles’ representatives to the meetings shared the country’s experiences and challenges as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), and emphasised the importance of making circular economy initiatives in waste management appealing and viable for entrepreneurs. The Seychelles delegation was led by Nanette Laure, with Fredrick Kinloch, Michelle Azemia and Farah Laporte.
