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The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal signed the Minamata Convention on October 10, 2013. Through our Center for Mercury Studies, BRI (an Executing Agency with UNIDO) worked with the Ministry of Science Technology and Environment to conduct a Minamata Initial Assessment. These activities will complement Nepal's efforts to significantly reduce the exposure of mercury to humans and the environment.
Formal Capacity: Executing Agency
Project Lead: David Evers
Funding/Implementing Agency: GEF/UNIDO
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 Nepal conducted a Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA).
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by China to the north and India to the south. Nepal is located in the Himalayas and is home to Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Tourism, handicrafts, and tea and coffee production are important mainstays in Nepal's economy.
Over the last two years, Nepal has hosted a Minamata Initial Assessment Inception Meeting, Mercury Inventory Training Workshop, and Validation Workshop. The Validation workshop (pictured above) was held in January 2019, and marked the completion of Nepal's Minamata Initial Assessment. Nepal's MIA findings have since been reported in The Kathmandu Post, among other Nepalese media outlets.
