The Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) organised an event called "Seminar on SAICM Implementation in the World". This half-day seminar aimed to disseminate information about the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and implementation activities in Canada, Sweden and Thailand to a Japanese audience. However, some foreign experts from UNITAR, Bhutan, Korea and Mongolia also attended the seminar. Mr Takahiko HIRAISHI, Member of the Board of Directors and Senior Consultant to IGES, served as the coordinator of the seminar. Dr Akira OGIHARA presented survey results on SAICM National Implementation Plan in major countries. Dr Magnus Bengtsson, Dr Janya SANG-ARUN and other members of IGES Waste and Resources team served as facilitators of the seminar.Around 100 people from industries, universities, NGOs, research institutes and legal offices, joined the seminar. The presentations and a panel discussed the progress of SAICM implementation in the said countries and provided comments on SAICM implementation and its strategies in Japan. Most of the questions raised by the Japanese audiences were on public participation and multi-stakeholders involvement for SAICM implementation.
Date: 12 March 2008
Venue: Fukoku Seimei Building 28F (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Organisers: Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Language: English and Japanese (Simultaneous translation provided)
Left-right:
Dr. Masatoshi Ishizuka, MOEJ, opened the seminar
Mr. Takahiko Hiraishi, IGES, served as Chair of the seminar
Ms. Keiko Segawa, MOEJ coordinated panel discussion
Left-right:
Dr. Akira Ogihara, IGES, presented survey results on SAICM implementation in major countries
Mr. Eisaku Toda, MOEJ, announced progress of Chemical Substances Control Law
Participants from various institutions in Japan Panellists from UNEP-SAICM, Sweden,Thailand, Canada and MOEJ (Dr. Hirotsugu Kimura)
[Agenda]
13:30-14:10
Session 1: Current situation of SAICM implementation and progress in the revisions of chemicals-related laws in Japan
Coordinator: Mr Takahiko Hiraishi, Member of Board of Directors and Senior Consultant, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan
13:30-13:55
Welcome Remarks
Dr Masatoshi Ishizuka, Director General, Environmental Health Department, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
13:35-13:55
Overview of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
Mr Hamoudi Shubber, UNEP SAICM Secretariat
13:55-14:15
Reviewing the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)
Mr Eisaku Toda, Director, Chemicals Evaluation Office, Environmental Health Department, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
14:15-15:35
Session 2:Lessons learned in the development of SAICM National Implementation Plan
Coordinator: Mr. Takahiko Hiraishi
14:15-14:35
Survey Results on SAICM National Implementation Plans in major countries
Dr Akira Ogihara, Project Manager, Waste and Resource Project, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan
14:35-14:55
Chemicals Management Plans in Sweden
Ms Eva Sandberg, Senior Adviser on International Affairs, Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate
14:55-15:15
Challenges and Impacts of SAICM National Implementation Plan in Thailand
Ms Pornpimon Chareonsong, Senior Environmental Scientist, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
15:15-15:35
Analysis of the Results of Canada’s Chemicals Categorization Initiative: Applicability to the Information Needs of Developing Countries
Mr Victor Shantora, Senior Associate, Resource Futures International, Previous Director General of Environment Canada
15:35-15:50 Coffee Break
15:50-16:55
Panel Discussion
Coordinator:Ms. Keiko Segawa, Deputy Director, Environmental Health and Safety Division, Environmental Health Department, Ministry of the Environment, Japan,
Panellists:
- UNEP SAICM Secretariat: Mr Hamoudi Shubber
- Canada: Mr Victor Shantora
- Sweden: Ms Eva Sandberg
- Thailand: Ms Pornpimon Chareonsong
- Japan: Dr Hirotsugu Kimura
16:30-16:55 Q&A
16:55-17:00
Closing Remarks
Mr Takahiko Hiraishi, IGES
