October 2011: Historic 10th Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention deblocks Ban Amendment controversy and embraces a political paradigm shift on wastes
In October 2011, in Cartagena, Colombia, the member states (Parties) to the sole global waste treaty embraced a paradigm shift in how wastes are considered in international policy: the Cartagena Declaration on Prevention, Minimization and Recovery of Wastes as well as the Strategic Framework 2012-2021 for the Basel Convention support the creation of “green” jobs and “green” business opportunities. This also helps combat poverty and protect human health. Waste prevention technologies as well as environmentally sound recycling and resource recovery operations have thus been encouraged at the highest political level.
The Conference also achieved a breakthrough on the entry into force of an extremely controversial amendment to the Convention banning all exports of hazardous wastes from OECD to non-OECD countries (the Ban Amendment), on which discussions had been blocked for many years. Parties adopted a package deal that allows the amendment to come into force for those countries that wish to adhere to it, and mandates the development of a regime including standards and certification schemes for those countries that wish to trade in wastes with a market value, ensuring environmentally and socially sustainable conditions, and taking advantage of new economic opportunities.
Secretariat Press Release: 'Historic Agreement'
IISD Environmental Negotiations Bulletin: 'The Miracle of Cartagena'
BIR International Environment Council: 'Basel paradigm shift'
