The 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the “Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal” was held in Cartagena, Colombia from October 17 to 21. Four teachers of SOE from the Basel Convention Coordinating Center for Asia and the Pacific (BCRC China) attended the meeting as members of Chinese delegation led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Transport (MOT). More than 400 representatives from 116 countries, international organizations and other institutions also attended the meeting. Centering on the theme of “Prevention, minimization and recovery of wastes”, the attendees discussed 20 different topics and adopted 26 resolutions including the new strategic work, regional and coordinating centers, and technical guidelines. They also planned for the future development and short-term tasks of the Basel Convention.

A side event with the theme of “Experiences in environmentally sound management of e-waste in Africa and Asia-Pacific” was organized by BCRC China and Secretariat of Basel Convention (SBC), commissioned by MEP. The side event aimed at sharing the practice of e-waste sound management in China by BCRC. More than 150 officials and experts from different countries participated in the side event. The concept of “best available techniques and best environmental practices” regarding e-waste and the related demonstration projects by BCRC China won the attention of many delegates. During the meeting, BCRC China presented the development course, human resources and work on environmental management of hazardous waste and e-waste of the Center in its exhibition booths.

As the technical support institution of the Basel Convention for the Chinese government, BCRC China has attended the Conference of the Parties since 2002 and has played an important role in promoting sound management of hazardous wastes and the control of transboundary movements of hazardous waste.