From December 11th to 15th, 2023, the second session of the ad hoc open-ended working group to prepare proposals for a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (SPP OEWG-2) was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting was held as in-person format, with plenary sessions broadcast live and attended by representatives from 114 member States and 59 international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Prof. Li Jinhui, Executive Director of Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (BCRC/SCRC China) and Vice Chinar of the OEWG Bureau, and Program Assistant Ms. Yawei Wang of BCRC China participated in the meeting as members of the Chinese delegation. During the meeting, Prof. Li Jinhui chaired and coordinated the Asia-Pacific regional meetings, resulting in the formulation of three regional statements. Prof. Li also delivered opening and closing remarks on behalf of the Asia-Pacific region and chaired informal consultations, engaging in informal dialogue with representatives from various countries on budgetary issues. Following the meeting, BCRC/SCRC China assisted the Chinese delegation in reporting the outcomes of the meeting and providing recommendations for future work to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of China. Specifically, BCRC/SCRC China provided negotiation advice to MEE on topics such as the scope, functions, conflicts of interest, decision-making mechanisms, and stakeholders of SPP.

The establishment of SPP was based on the resolution UNEA5/8 adopted at the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022. Its goal is to strengthen the science-policy interface to contribute to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. BCRC/SCRC China had involved in previous OEWG meetings, and Prof. Li Jinhui, nominated by the Chinese government, was elected as Vice Chair of the OEWG Bureau at the OEWG1.2 meeting. Additionally, during the intersessional period, BCRC China actively followed up on OEWG Bureau meetings, supported the OEWG Secretariat's work, coordinated regional meetings, and provided strong support to the work processes of the SPP OEWG.