The EMG, in collaboration with UNEP, multilateral environmental agreement secretariats and other international partners, organized a Nexus Dialogue in Geneva on 23 March 2020 to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation between the biodiversity and chemicals and waste agendas.

Against the backdrop of the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the international framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, the dialogue sought to identify common priorities, strengthen policy coherence and promote integrated approaches to addressing interconnected environmental challenges.

The dialogue focused on the links between chemical pollution, waste management and biodiversity loss, highlighting shared challenges such as pesticides, nutrient pollution and plastics. Particular attention was given to opportunities for aligning science-based targets and indicators, strengthening monitoring and reporting capacities, and applying a lifecycle approach to chemicals management that considers impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

The dialogue aimed to foster closer collaboration among UN entities, environmental conventions, governments and other stakeholders, identifying practical opportunities for joint action and more coherent implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It sought to contribute to the development of mutually supportive international frameworks for biodiversity and chemicals and waste, recognizing that progress in one area is closely linked to progress in the other.