Secretariat of the Basel Convention (Geneva)

HISTORY AND STATUS

The Basel Convention was adopted in 1989 and came into force in 1992. The objectives of the Basel Convention are to reduce to a minimum the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes consistent with sound environmental management, to dispose of the hazardous wastes and other wastes generated as close as possible to their source of generation, to ensure strict control over the movement of hazardous wastes across borders and to prevent illegal traffic. Parties also negotiated a Protocol on Liability and Compensation to the Convention that was adopted at Basel in December 1999. The Protocol, however, has yet to come into force.

South Africa ratified the Convention in 1994 and is also considering ratifying the so-called ban-amendment that prohibits exports of hazardous wastes from OECD to non-OECD states. South Africa also participated in the negotiations to finalise a Liability and Compensation Protocol to the Convention. The English speaking regional training centre for the Basel Convention is located in South Africa and was established in early 2000. South Africa is currently concluding negotiations with UNEP and the Basel Secretariat on the legal operational framework of the training centre.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS

Departments:

Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Trade and Industry
Health
Water and Forestry
Transport
NGOs:

Chemical and Allied Industries Association
Environmental Justice Networking Forum
Industrial Environmental Forum
Environmental Scientific Association

GENERAL COMMENTS

A South African delegation attends annual intersessional and Conference to the Parties meetings.