Kenya Signs New Agreement With 146 Other Countries(Minamata Convention)
Kenya signed an agreement to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury on Friday, becoming the 147th country in the world to do so.
The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury noted in a statement that Kenya had agreed to cooperate with other nations to eliminate the use and release of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining as a result of the pact.
“On 22 September 2023, Kenya deposited its instrument of ratification successfully, becoming the 147th Party to commit to the worldwide initiative to make mercury history,” read the statement.
Kenya agreed to become a respondent to the convention adopted globally on January 19, 2013, following three years of negotiations.
According to the US government’s website, the Minamata Convention was named after the Japanese city of Minamata, which endured decades of mercury toxicity.
According to reports, mercury-containing industrial refuse was discharged into Minamata Bay.
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“The wastewater contained methylmercury, which bioaccumulated in fish and shellfish in the bay. Local people who consumed seafood from Minamata Bay became very sick, and many died or were left severely disabled,” read the statement in part.
Noting that the afflicted waterways transcended national boundaries, concerned nations quickly banded together to take global action against mercury use.
Expectations from Partner Countries
Partner countries are required to control mercury air emissions from coal-fired power plants, industrial furnaces, and certain non-ferrous metals, as well as phase out the use of mercury in certain products, including batteries, switches, lights, cosmetics, pesticides, and measuring devices.
Other requirements include compliance with the supply and trade of mercury, safer storage and disposal, strategies to address contaminated sites, and reporting on the implementation of certain provisions.
Eliminating or reducing mercury use in manufacturing processes such as chlor-alkali, vinyl chloride monomer, and acetaldehyde production.
The convention includes the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, and Tanzania as members. Uganda ratified the treaty in May 2019, while Tanzania did so in October 2020.
Russia, Yemen, Venezuela, and Mozambique have not yet ratified their accord.
Kenya Signs New Agreement With 146 Other Countries(Minamata Convention)
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