Antigua and Barbuda ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury on February 5, 2017. As International Technical Experts, BRI is assisting several small island developing states of the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, as part of a regional Minamata Initial Assessment. The Basel Convention Regional Center for the Caribbean is implementing the regional MIA project and BRI is providing expertise to assist with the development of national mercury inventories for each participating country using UN Environment's Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Mercury Releases. The results of this regional MIA will assist Antigua and Barbuda with meeting requirements outlined by the Minamata Convention to reduce mercury in the environment and exposure of mercury to humans.
Formal Capacity: International Technical Expert
Project Lead: David Evers
Funding/Implementing Agency: GEF/UN Environment
Executing Agency: Basel Convention Regional Center for the Caribbean
Under the Minamata Convention, individual countries are charged with protecting human health and the environment from the risks of mercury exposure by systematically controlling mercury emissions and releases, including phasing out the use of mercury in certain products and processes.
In order to assist with preparations for the ratification and implementation of the Convention, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda conducted a Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA).
Click here to download the full brochure.
Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gathered in Jolly Harbour, Antigua, March 14-16, 2018, for the Minamata Initial Assessment Regional Inception Meeting and Inventory Workshop. At the workshop, BRI's David Evers, Oksana Lane, and Molly Taylor presented on a variety of mercury-related topics such as the development of national mercury inventories, biomonitoring, cosmetic sampling, and air sampling.
Download the following brochures to learn how you can participate in regional and global efforts to monitor mercury in cosmetics, humans, and seafood in your country. Each brochure outlines the sampling process and highlights how participation will help countries meet the requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Monitoring Mercury-added Products in the Caribbean Region: Skin Lightening Creams and Cosmetics
Mercury Biomonitoring in the Caribbean Region: People