The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on Monday, February 26, 2018 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 89th Party to the Minamata Convention.
Nigeria had several weeks before that on Thursday, February 1 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 88th Party to the mercury treaty.
Cuba had days days before on Tuesday, January 30 deposited its instrument of accession to become the 87th Party to the global pact that aims to control the negative impact of mercury.
Similarly, Lithuania deposited its instrument of ratification on Monday, January 15, 2018 to become the 86th Party to the Convention.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury (“Minamata Convention”) is an international environmental convention for global community to sswork collaboratively against mercury pollution. It aims at achieving environmentally sound mercury management throughout its life cycle. The Convention was adopted at the diplomatic conferences held in Minamata City and Kumamoto City in October 2013.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1), which gathered governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world, held in Geneva, Switzerland from September 24 to 29, 2017.
The mercury accord entered into force on Thursday, May 18, 2017 after having garnered the required 50 ratifications.
