1 GHS Conference for ASEAN: Implementation Towards 2008 & Beyond GHS Implementation in ASEAN: looking ahead Jakarta Indonesia 9-11 May 2007

2 GHS Implementation in ASEAN: looking ahead Outline of the presentation Preamble, chemical manufacture globally National strategies, GHS ‘implementation’ Regional policies, ASEAN community ASEAN & beyond, E.Asia, Pacific, Global Conclusions

3 National strategies Regional GHS Capacity Assessment concluded that GHS & chemicals given a low priority Dubai declaration no.1, ‘sound management of chemicals is essential if we are to achieve SD’ Need to mainstream GHS, not ‘stand-alone’ task Integrate GHS into development objectives: national S.D., identify linkages with MDGs Encourage public interest advocacy for GHS.

4 National Strategies (contd.) Mainstreaming GHS: challenges MDGs are an approach to promote human development, a key to social and economic progress in all countries; How to link GHS with priority chemicals management, human health & environmental quality, & to MDGs 1-8? Need credible evidence of benefits of GHS & chemicals management in economic and development terms; Need to raise awareness of GHS & chemicals management with national development planning agencies, economic agencies & national strategies.

5 National Strategies (contd.) Mainstreaming GHS: benefits A strengthened focus on cross-sectoral governance for sound chemicals management linked to S.D.,human health, poverty reduction and resource mobilization; Integration of GHS and chemical management into national development as part of a long-term framework for bilateral and multilateral development assistance; Acceptance of GHS and chemicals management as a component of all MDGs, 1-8; GHS a component of MDG-8, global partnerships for development.

6 National Strategies (contd.) Information gathering & dissemination ASEAN GHS network for NCCs required ASEAN GHS NCC focal point links with MEAs Creation of GHS partnerships, govt., civil soc., industry GHS Information centre networking needed, e.g.PILO Accessible database of national GHS activities needed Note: ESCAP access to information/public awareness ASEAN OSHNET: a good example for other Sectors?

7 National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for monitoring & evaluating What constitutes ‘implementation’ of GHS? Implementation = policies + actions Indicators can evaluate both policies & actions: Policies can be introduced at different levels: e.g. introduction of GHS legislation all sectors; introduction of guidelines for promotion of GHS. Indicators can report on progress towards the goal as set by the policy.

8 National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for monitoring & evaluating Actions can be introduced at different levels: numbers of industries adopting GHS; number of workers trained; results from CT, etc. Indicators report on progress towards the goal: e.g. progress with ‘building-blocks’ or attainment of milestones laid down in the GHS ‘Roadmap.’ Progress towards GHS implementation is the outcome of linking policies with actions

9 National Strategies (contd.) Capacity for Monitoring & Evaluating Effectiveness of implementation depends upon meeting the objectives of policies and actions as reported by the indicators. Transparency of results & accountability for activities undertaken reflect outcomes that have been monitored not just political opinions. Eminent Persons Group on ASEAN Charter: “entrust monitoring compliance to ASEAN-Sec.”

10 National Activities (contd.) Civil Society & Awareness-raising GHS implementation by Civil Society; adequate? Agenda 21, 9 major groups within Civil Society e.g. science & technology, workers & unions children & youth, indigenous people, poor Disconnect between ‘purple book’ & local folk? What further activity to strengthen Civil Society?

11 Regional Policies ASEAN Community: 3 pillars of integration detailed in the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) 1.ASEAN Security Community: political, governance, laws, regulations etc. 2.ASEAN Economic Community: economics, trade, customs, SMEs, science etc 3.ASEAN Socio-economic Community: civil society, health, synergy/MEAs, SD, etc.

12 Regional Policies (contd.) Sector 2. ASEAN Economic Community, 12 sectors, no mention of chemicals (health care) Highlights trade facilitation, industry co-operation SMEs, intra/inter ASEAN co-operation, GHS facilitates trade + economic advantage Proposal: chemicals & GHS should be included as a priority sector within the ASEAN Economic Community; a cornerstone for integration? But how to achieve it?

13 Regional Policies (contd.) Sector 3, ASEAN Socio-cultural Community Highlights environ. management, sustainability, sound technologies & labelling schemes to promote economic growth & environ. protection GHS implementation does promote economic growth & protection of environment. Proposal: How can we integrate the Regional GHS Assessment Strategy into Sector 3, Socio- cultural community?

14 ASEAN Beyond 2008 VAP declaration. Building bridges between public sector and all society to facilitate synergy of experience, expertise and resources – Synergy for Region-wide reporting with MEAs One route: SAICM’s Overarching Policy Strategy, mentions GHS in terms of knowledge, information and public awareness. Proposal: Can we promote GHS as one possible outcome of SAICM relevant for VAP activities?

15 Beyond ASEAN Eminent Persons Group on ASEAN Charter ASEAN ‘Most successful regional organization’ Need for dialogue partnerships & to reposition ASEAN in region in view of rise of India, China. ASEAN +3,1997,(PRC, J, RoK). GHS with +3? Beyond ASEAN involvement of GHS in: APEC, ESCAP, UNDP, ADB, APEIS, BIMP-EAGA Proposal: A major role of GHS for chemicals management in whole of Asia-Pacific & beyond?

16 Conclusions The Conference may wish to recommend GHS: Implementation with chemicals management, MDGs & SD linked to national Decision Makers Implementation indicators for policy + actions? Inclusion as a priority in both ASEAN Economic Sector and Socio-cultural Sector? As driving force for regional linkages,ASEAN+3? ASEAN UNITAR/ILO pilot project be enhanced to include all 10 countries & beyond ASEAN?