ARGENTINA'S VIEWS ON MERCURY AT THE UPCOMING 24TH

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000012 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR OES/ENV HODAYAH FINMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EMIN ETRD SENV PREL AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA'S VIEWS ON MERCURY AT THE UPCOMING 24TH UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL REF: STATE 202028 ¶1. Reftel asked addressee posts to seek host government support for UNEP's voluntary mercury partnerships, and to solicit views on various proposals to control mercury that parties are expected to raise at the upcoming UNEP Governing Council meeting in Nairobi. With that in mind, Emboff spoke January 4 with MFA chemical expert Gonzalo Entenza, who provided the following information: -- Argentina supports UNEP's mercury partnerships program, and Argentina's first such partnership is operational. The NGO Healthcare Without Harm has teamed up with the Buenos Aires City Government and UNEP to provide training for local hospitals on best practices for going mercury-free. -- The GoA understands that international/global action is necessary to control mercury, but believes that the voluntary approach has been working well. The GoA will not/not support the European proposal to begin negotiations on a legally binding treaty to control mercury. ¶2. Entenza also said that it would "not be a problem" if parties decide to establish a global mercury reduction goal, as long as a voluntary mechanism is employed. Argentina does not mine mercury and is not a mercury exporter, and will therefore not be among countries actively promoting or fighting action toward a global phaseout of mercury mining and exports. Neither does Argentina have established mercury reduction goals; Entenza described Argentina as "not too concerned about mercury domestically," since mercury contamination has not been a public health problem here. WAYNE