The International Negotiating Committee (INC) and the Global Environmental Facility have developed a series of pre-ratification activities, called Minamata Convention Initial Assessments (MIAs). MIAs are designed to prepare countries for treaty ratification and implementation through three primary steps:

• Establishment of a national steering committee to coordinate activities related to the Convention;
• Review and identification of gaps in existing national legislation related to mercury; and
• Development of a national mercury profile that includes major sectors that use mercury as well as a summary of major emission and release source types.
  
  

In addition, MIAs will assist countries with development of communications tools and strategies to inform governmental agencies, NGOs, and the public on activities related to the Convention.

As either an Executing Agency (with UNIDO) or as an International Technical Expert (through UNDP and UN Environment), BRI is assisting countries around the world to conduct MIAs and meet the requirements outlined by the Minamata Convention to reduce mercury in the environment.