1st Plenary
The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP P1) will be hosted by the Government of Switzerland, from 2 to 6 February 2026, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). The session will be preceded by regional and stakeholder meetings on 1 February 2026, at the same venue. Additional information will be made available on the event webpage.
In preparation for the first session of the Plenary, members of the Panel are invited to nominate focal points through which relevant information on the convening of the session will be shared. Governments that are interested in becoming members of the Panel are also invited to contact the interim Secretariat to express their interest at isp-cwp@un.org.
Once operational, the Panel will convene regular Plenary sessions, meetings of the Interdisciplinary Expert Committee, the Bureau, and other bodies (as may be set up) to advance its mandate. Plenary sessions will provide opportunities for:
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Proposing, reviewing, and approving scientific assessments on chemicals, waste, and pollution.
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Exchanging knowledge and best practices to inform policy and decision-making at global, regional, and national levels.
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Engaging with stakeholders, including governments, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and civil society, to ensure inclusive and transparent processes.
Supporting Document for the ISP-CWP National Focal Point
This supporting document presents a series of best practices and lessons learned from similar processes (notably the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES), alongside in-country experiences. This document aims to support systematic, transparent, and inclusive stakeholder engagement for National Focal Points, thereby enhancing the value of the Panel's outputs.
The supporting document can be downloaded here.
Regional Webinar Series
The following regional webinars series provide further guidance to national stakeholders, and interested participants engaging in the ISP-CWP. The series provided an overview of the ISP-CWP and its role within global environmental governance. While each of the four sessions was tailored to a specific region and time zone, i.e. Anglophone Africa (7/1/2026), Francophone Africa (13/1/2026), Asia Pacific (13/1/2026), and Latin America and the Caribbean (8/1/2026), participation was open globally, enabling broad and inclusive engagement. The sessions highlighted that, unlike climate change and biodiversity—which are supported by the IPCC and IPBES—chemicals, waste, and pollution had long lacked a dedicated global science–policy body. This absence has contributed to fragmented and reactive policy responses, despite pollution being a major driver of human health risks, environmental degradation, and barriers to sustainable development. The establishment of the ISP-CWP in June 2025 therefore marks a significant milestone.
During the webinar series, a total of 374 participants engaged across the sessions with 119 in Session 1 (English African Region), 101 in Session 2 (LAC Region offered with Spanish interpretation), 102 in Sessions 3 (Asia-Pacific Region) and 52 in Session 4 (Francophone African Region offered with French interpretation).
For further information on these sessions, please view the recorded sessions below, or download the PowerPoint here.
Interpretation available: click either the title of the video or the "Watch on YouTube" button, then choose your desired language from the settings in the bottom bar.
National Country Sessions
The following online national country sessions provide further guidance to national stakeholders, and interested participants engaging in the ISP-CWP.
Interpretation available: click either the title of the video or the "Watch on YouTube" button, then choose your desired language from the settings in the bottom bar.