GHS Conference for ASEAN: Implementation Towards 2008 & Beyond

1. GHS Conference for ASEAN:Implementation Towards 2008 & Beyond GHS Implementation in ASEAN: looking ahead Jakarta Indonesia 9-11 May 2007

2. GHS Implementation in ASEAN: looking ahead Outline of the presentation • Preamble, chemical manufacture globally • National strategies, GHS ‘implementation’ • Regional policies, ASEAN community • ASEAN & beyond, E.Asia, Pacific, Global • Conclusions

3. National strategies • Regional GHS Capacity Assessment concluded that GHS & chemicals given a low priority • Dubai declaration no.1, ‘sound management of chemicals is essential if we are to achieve SD’ • Need to mainstream GHS, not ‘stand-alone’ task • Integrate GHS into development objectives: national S.D., identify linkages with MDGs • Encourage public interest advocacy for GHS.

4. National Strategies (contd.) Mainstreaming GHS: challenges • MDGs are an approach to promote human development, a key to social and economic progress in all countries; • How to link GHS with priority chemicals management, human health & environmental quality, & to MDGs 1-8? • Need credible evidence of benefits of GHS & chemicals management in economic and development terms; • Need to raise awareness of GHS & chemicals management with national development planning agencies, economic agencies & national strategies.

5. National Strategies (contd.) Mainstreaming GHS: benefits • A strengthened focus on cross-sectoral governance for sound chemicals management linked to S.D. ,human health, poverty reduction and resource mobilization; • Integration of GHS and chemical management into national development as part of a long-term framework for bilateral and multilateral development assistance; • Acceptance of GHS and chemicals management as a component of all MDGs, 1-8; • GHS a component of MDG-8, global partnerships for development.

6. National Strategies (contd.) Information gathering & dissemination • ASEAN GHS network for NCCs required • ASEAN GHS NCC focal point links with MEAs • Creation of GHS partnerships, govt., civil soc., industry • GHS Information centre networking needed, e.g.PILO • Accessible database of national GHS activities needed • Note: ESCAP access to information/public awareness • ASEAN OSHNET: a good example for other Sectors?

7. National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for monitoring & evaluating • What constitutes ‘implementation’ of GHS? Implementation = policies + actions • Indicators can evaluate both policies & actions: Policies can be introduced at different levels: e.g. introduction of GHS legislation all sectors; introduction of guidelines for promotion of GHS. Indicators can report on progress towards the goal as set by the policy.

8. National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for monitoring & evaluating Actions can be introduced at different levels: numbers of industries adopting GHS; number of workers trained; results from CT, etc.Indicators report on progress towards the goal: e.g. progress with ‘building-blocks’ or attainment of milestones laid down in the GHS ‘Roadmap.’ • Progress towards GHS implementation is the outcome of linking policies with actions

9. National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for Monitoring & Evaluating • Effectiveness of implementation depends upon meeting the objectives of policies and actions as reported by the indicators. • Transparency of results & accountability for activities undertaken reflect outcomes that have been monitored not just political opinions. • Eminent Persons Group on ASEAN Charter: “entrust monitoring compliance to ASEAN-Sec.”

10. National Activities (contd.) Civil Society & Awareness-raising • GHS implementation by Civil Society; adequate? • Agenda 21, 9 major groups within Civil Society e.g. science & technology, workers & unions children & youth, indigenous people, poor • Disconnect between ‘purple book’ & local folk? • What further activity to strengthen Civil Society?

11. Regional Policies ASEAN Community: 3 pillars of integration detailed in the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) • ASEAN Security Community: political, governance, laws, regulations etc. • ASEAN Economic Community: economics, trade, customs, SMEs, science etc • ASEAN Socio-economic Community: civil society, health, synergy/MEAs, SD, etc.

12. Regional Policies (contd.) Sector 2. ASEAN Economic Community, 12 sectors, no mention of chemicals (health care) • Highlights trade facilitation, industry co-operation SMEs, intra/inter ASEAN co-operation, • GHS facilitates trade + economic advantage • Proposal: chemicals & GHS should be included as a priority sector within the ASEAN Economic Community; a cornerstone for integration? But how to achieve it?

13. Regional Policies (contd.) Sector 3, ASEAN Socio-cultural Community • Highlights environ. management, sustainability, sound technologies & labelling schemes to promote economic growth & environ. protection • GHS implementation does promote economic growth & protection of environment. • Proposal: How can we integrate the Regional GHS Assessment Strategy into Sector 3, Socio-cultural community?

14. ASEAN Beyond 2008 • VAP declaration. Building bridges between public sector and all society to facilitate synergy of experience, expertise and resources – 2020. • Synergy for Region-wide reporting with MEAs • One route: SAICM’s Overarching Policy Strategy, mentions GHS in terms of knowledge, information and public awareness. • Proposal: Can we promote GHS as one possible outcome of SAICM relevant for VAP activities?

15. Beyond ASEAN Eminent Persons Group on ASEAN Charter • ASEAN ‘Most successful regional organization’ • Need for dialogue partnerships & to reposition ASEAN in region in view of rise of India, China. ASEAN +3 ,1997,(PRC, J, RoK). GHS with +3? • Beyond ASEAN involvement of GHS in: APEC, ESCAP, UNDP, ADB, APEIS, BIMP-EAGA • Proposal: Amajor role of GHS for chemicals management in whole of Asia-Pacific & beyond?

16. Conclusions The Conference may wish to recommend GHS: • Implementation with chemicals management, MDGs & SD linked to national Decision Makers • Implementation indicators for policy + actions? • Inclusion as a priority in both ASEAN Economic Sector and Socio-cultural Sector? • As driving force for regional linkages,ASEAN+3? • ASEAN UNITAR/ILO pilot project be enhanced to include all 10 countries & beyond ASEAN?