MERCURY ISSUE AT UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL: SOUTH

UNCLAS PRETORIA 000660

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENV/JOHN THOMPSON AND AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AORC ETRD PREL SF
SUBJECT: MERCURY ISSUE AT UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL: SOUTH
AFRICA AGREES

REF: State 18970


1. Mr. Zaheer Fakir, the Head of International Liaison and
Coordination in the Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism (DEAT),confirmed to ES&T Assistant that the South
African Government (SAG) agreed with the United States'
proposed approach to address mercury pollution, which will
be presented at the 23RD United Nations Environmental
Program (UNEP) Governing Council (GC) meeting in Nairobi Feb
21-25. The SAG delegation has also agreed to meet with
their U.S. counterparts in Nairobi.


2. Fakir also said that DEAT's technical team observed that
the issue of developing mercury inventory capabilities was
not noted in the U.S. GC proposal. He said they would
appreciate it if the matter is looked into because SAG
regards mercury inventories development capacity as
important since most developing nations still do not have
the capacity to do so. The team also observed a gap in the
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs),which deal
with the legality of mercury pollution. SAG would propose
for an appropriate legal instrument to be looked for within
the existing MEAs.


3. According to Fakir, Environment Affairs Minister
Marthinus Van Schalkwyk will lead the delegation to Nairobi.
Although other delegates may be added to the list at a later
stage, Mr. Fakir confirmed that the following would attend:

Ms. Bridgette Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister of DEAT;
Mr. Alf Wills, Deputy Director General, International
Cooperation; and
Mr. Zaheer Fakir, Head of International Liaison and
Cooperation.
FRAZER