Results of the Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6)

1. Key outcomes

(1) Mercury supply sources and trade

Article 3 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") defines the terms “mercury” and “mercury compounds” and also stipulates provisions for the limit of primary mercury mining, the identification of supply sources of mercury and mercury compounds, and import and export control. Taking into account the fact that the Convention excludes the import and export of mercury compounds from the scope of regulations, COP-6 officially decided to: (a) collect information from the parties and relevant stakeholders on the supply, use, and trade of mercury compounds, as well as views regarding which mercury compounds should be subject to trade regulations; (b) launch an open-ended expert group; and (c) start examining these issues.

(2) Manufacture, import, or export of mercury-added products and manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used

Article 4 of the Convention stipulates provisions for the ban of the manufacture, import, or export of mercury-added products (Annex A), and Article 5 stipulates those for manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used (Annex B). COP-6 officially decided to add dental amalgam to part I of Annex A and to phase it out by 2034. To prevent the illegal circulation of mercury-containing cosmetics listed in part I of Annex A, COP-6 discussed, as priority issues, the strengthening of the effectiveness of existing prohibitive measures and the establishment of systems for international monitoring and cooperation.

Furthermore, regarding the treatment of mercury-free alternatives for manufacturing vinyl chloride monomer under Annex B, no consensus was reached on their technical and economic feasibility. As a result, the matter was decided to be defferd to COP-7.

(3) Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)

Article 7 of the Convention requires the party, if at any time it determines that ASGM in its territory is more than insignificant, to: (a) notify the secretariat, (b) develop and implement a national action plan in accordance with Annex C, (c) submit its national action plan to the secretariat within three years, and (d) provide a review every three years. COP-6 discussed new concepts such as environmentally sustainable control of gold supply chains and decided to cooperate internationally to improve the traceability and transparency of gold supply chains in ASGM.

(4) Mercury waste

Article 11 of the Convention requires the Conference of the Parties to determine mercury content thresholds that define mercury waste subject to the Convention and requires the parties to take appropriate measures for securing the management of such mercury in an environmentally sound manner.　COP-6 decided to hold discussions at the next meeting based on the scientific and regulatory data submitted by the parties and relevant stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the mercury content thresholds, as well as challenges and experiences related to its use. They also decided that measures agreed upon at the previous meeting, COP-5, would be promptly implemented.

(5) Administrative issues

Aside from the above, the parties discussed the program of work and budget for 2026-2027 and the Convention’s financial mechanism.

2. Students from Kumamoto Prefectural Minamata High School deliver a presentation at a side event

At the side events, Global Youth Dialogue on Mercury and the Knowledge Labs, held on Sunday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 4, respectively, two students from Kumamoto Prefectural Minamata High School, who were sent by the Ministry of the Environment, delivered a presentation on mercury studies at their school and their research results. In addition, the Minamata Photographers’ Eye Project participated from Minamata City, exhibiting photographs and a special booth at the entrance hall of the venue and delivering a presentation at the Knowledge Labs.

3. Future schedule

COP-7 will be held in Geneva, the Swiss Confederation, from Monday, June 14, to Friday, June 18, 2027.

Related Materials

• Appendix: Overview of Results of the Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6)　(in Japanese)(PDF:533KB)

Related Link

• Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6); United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Division in Charge

Chemical Management Policy Division, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group