In its resolution 5/8, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) decided that a science-policy panel should be established to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. UNEA further decided to convene, subject to the availability of resources, an OEWG to prepare proposals for the science-policy panel, to begin work in 2022 with the ambition of completing it by the end of 2024.

The ad hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science Policy Panel (OEWG-1.2) will be held in person at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 30 January to 3 February 2023.

The meeting will be conducted in the six official languages of the United Nations. The meeting will also be live streamed online.

The provisional agenda, meeting documents and other supporting information, including registration and logistic details for the meeting are being posted as they become webpage.

For more information, contact the Secretariat to the ad hoc open-ended working group at spp-cwp@un.org.

Member States are invited to submit:

• Designation of focal points through a formal letter from the Ministry or a Note Verbale from the Embassy or Permanent Mission submitted to the Secretariat at unep-sgb@un.org, copied to spp-cwp@un.org.
• Offers to host sessions of the OEWG.
• Financial contributions to support the process.