SENEGAL'S RESPONSE TO MERCURY ISSUES DEMARCHE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 000040 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/ENV - HFINMAN, AF/EPS AND AF/W NAIROBI FOR UNEP PERMREP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ETRD EMIN PREL AORC UNEP SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL'S RESPONSE TO MERCURY ISSUES DEMARCHE REF: 06 STATE 202028 (NOTAL) ¶1. SUMMARY: At the 24th Session of UNEP's Governing Council, Senegal will likely support efforts to establish a legally binding treaty to control mercury, believing that such a convention will be a significant asset in the administrative and legal control of mercury, according to Mrs. Fatima Dia Toure, Director for Environment and International Affairs at Senegal's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection. In her opinion, U.S. support for the UNEP's voluntary partnerships approach has merit and will hopefully continue, but it is not a substitute for an international treaty. At this time, Environment Minister Thierno Lo is planning to lead the Senegalese delegation to February 5-9 meetings in Nairobi. Toure will likely accompany and be the key working-level contact. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Per reftel request, on January 4, Economic Counselor discussed mercury issues for the 24th Session of UNEP's Governing Council with Mrs. Fatima Dia Toure, Director for Environment and International Affairs at Senegal's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection. Pathe Balde, Chief of the Department of Living Environment, and Astou Diop, Chemical Expert, also attended the meeting. Toure expressed her appreciation for the information on the U.S. position, and highlighted the helpful role that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has played in helping Senegal with an initial assessment of mercury issues in the country. Toure noted that Senegal is not a producer of mercury, but that the element is an important factor in the country's artisanal gold mines and medical installations. She also noted that trade in mercury and its residue has been associated with counterfeiting/money laundering in West Africa. ¶3. According to Toure, Senegal is a strong supporter of efforts to establish a legally binding treaty to control mercury, and Senegalese officials held related consultations with Norway and Switzerland. For Senegal, international conventions provide the force of law that enables local authorities to enforce effective practices, in this case, for the beneficial control of mercury. Such a treaty is also of great help in "regionalizing" the effective control of mercury. She asserted that even if Senegal established a robust internal program on mercury, it would not be effective if there were not similar controls in neighboring states. Finally, Toure claimed that Senegal needs to develop regulations that are harmonized among all West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries. ¶4. Toure agreed that the U.S. support for the UNEP's voluntary partnerships approach has merit but opined that it could not be a substitute for an international convention. She expressed her hope that the U.S. and UNEP, and others, could continue their efforts to assist developing countries in the near term, as a convention is being negotiated. Toure also highlighted the importance of bringing new technologies to developing countries, citing the example of an Australian company in Senegal that is able to recycle almost all of the mercury used in its gold mining operations. ¶5. As for Senegal's participation in the 24th Session of UNEP's DAKAR 00000040 002 OF 002 Governing Council, Environment Minister Thierno Lo is planning to lead the Senegalese delegation. We believe that Mrs. Toure will also likely participate as the Minister's key advisor and as Senegal's lead working-level contact. Jackson