Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 16 – 22 February 2026

The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, as well as other useful resources and updates. The Geneva Environment Network is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Youtube and WhatsApp or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Navigating this year’s chemicals, waste and pollution negotiations was the focus of the traditional Chemicals and Waste Negotiations Briefing, held at the International Environment House on 12 February 2026. © Erdenesukh Otgonbayar, Global Framework on Chemicals Secretariat

Environment @ 34th Session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee – the Council’s think tank, providing expertise at its request – will hold its 34th session from 16 to 20 February 2026 at Palais des Nations, Room XVI, where it will address environment-related thematic issues, including:

Implications of plastic pollution for the full enjoyment of human rights | In decision 56/117, the Human Rights Council requested the Advisory Committee to prepare a comprehensive study on the implications of plastic pollution for the full enjoyment of human rights, based on a comprehensive approach that addressed the full life cycle of plastic, and to present the study to the Council at its sixty-sixth session. The Council also requested the Advisory Committee, when preparing the study, to seek the views of and inputs from and to take into account work already done by relevant stakeholders. At its 34th session, the Advisory Committee is expected to hold a public discussion on this topic on 17 February 2026, from 10:00-11:00 CET.
Implications of sea-level rise for the full enjoyment of human rights | In resolution 60/20, the Human Rights Council requested the Advisory Committee to prepare and in‑depth study on the human rights implications of sea‑level rise, in cooperation with the relevant special procedure mandate holders. The study will examine impacts on Indigenous Peoples, persons of African descent, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities, and coastal communities, and the disproportionate effects on women and girls, including in rural areas. The Council also requested broad consultations, especially with States most affected. At its 34th session, the Advisory Committee will hold discussions on this topic and establish a drafting group for the preparation of the study to be submitted to the Council at its 66th session (HRC66). A public discussion on this topic is expected to take place on 19 February 2026, from 11:40-13:00 CET.

At the upcoming 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61), taking place at Palais des Nations from 23 February to 31 March 2026, the Advisory Committee will present its report on the Impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights (A/HRC/61/68). The report analyzes how disinformation undermines human rights, including in relation to environmental and climate issues, which forms are most harmful, and how some counter‑disinformation measures can also negatively affect rights. The report is expected to be presented on 11 March 2026. → Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC61, side events, and related resources are available on our dedicated HRC61 and the environment update.

Nature is Everybody’s Business | Road to UN Biodiversity Conference

The Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), the Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya protocol on Access to Genetic Resources – also commonly referred to as the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference – will convene in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. The theme of the Conference “Taking action for nature” illustrates Armenia’s aspirations for an action-oriented UN Biodiversity Conference. In Yerevan, the Parties to the CBD will undertake the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The global review is expected to drive enhanced implementation efforts. Key moments and recent updates in the lead-up to the UN Biodiversity Conference include:

The Sixth Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD SBI 6) is convening this week, from 16 to 19 February 2026 in Rome, Italy. During the four-day meeting, Parties will consider an analysis of national submissions assessing progress towards the KMGBF, alongside discussions on gender-responsive implementation, biodiversity finance, capacity-building and cooperation with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements. → Consult all documents, join online the opening press conference on Monday 16 February at 9:00 CET, watch the broadcast live on UN Web TV, and stay up to date with the Earth Negotiations Bulletin live coverage.
The IPBES Methodological Assessment Report on the Impact and Dependence of Business on Biodiversity and Nature’s Contributions to People – also know as the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment – was released last week following its approval at the 12th session of the IPBES Plenary. This first-ever fast-track IPBES Assessment Report delivers a clear message “nature is everybody’s business,” as emphasized by IPBES Executive Secretary Dr. Luthando Dziba. “It relates very directly to Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which focuses on businesses, but ultimately to all our shared global goals because businesses are at the center of how our economies, and large parts of our society, depend on and impact nature”, as highlighted by Dr. David Obura, Chair of IPBES. The Report makes it clear that all businesses, including financial institutions, have a responsibility to address their impacts and dependencies and could take further actions, given an enabling environment. Another central message of the Report is that businesses cannot, by themselves, deliver the scale of change needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Collaboration, collective and individual actions are essential to create an enabling environment where businesses contribute to a just and sustainable future. The Report highlights methods and more than 100 specific actions to measure and respond to business impacts and dependencies for businesses, governments, financial actors and civil society. → Read more in the media release and access all media materials
In two weeks, we will be celebrating World Wildlife Day under the theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” shining a spotlight on the extraordinary plants that have supported human well‑being for centuries. The conservation and sustainable trade of medicinal and aromatic plants also directly support the achievement of several targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Over 20 per cent of plant species used globally for medicinal and aromatic purposes are considered to be threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List, mainly due to overharvesting, habitat loss, climate change and unregulated or illegal international trade. → Discover how you can take part in the observance, including the traditional Geneva Celebration taking place at the International Environment House, featuring an Exhibition and a series of Lightning Talks dedicated to the theme. Save the date and register on Indico to attend on 3 March 2026

Extreme Weather Events Mark the Start of 2026

The World Meteorological Organization emphasized that the start of 2026 has been marked by extreme weather conditions, with different parts of the world experiencing extreme heat, cold, precipitation and fires. With extreme weather events consistently featuring as one of the top risks in the World Economic Forum’s flagship annual Global Risks Report, these events have once again highlighted the critical importance of accurate, timely forecasting and sustained investment in early warning systems. The economic, environmental, and human impacts witnessed in the first weeks of the year underscore the urgency of strengthening these systems to better protect lives and livelihoods, thus expanding and accelerating the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aiming to ensure that every person on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate-related events by 2027 through life-saving, multi-hazard early warning systems. → As various stakeholders are engaged in Geneva to achieve the premises of the EW4All Initiative and to monitor and address extreme weather events, our dedicated page provides and outlook of their activities and more.

Weather extremes observed in early 2026 include:

Record-breaking heat in the Southern Hemisphere fueled extreme wildfires in Australia, Chile, and Patagonia. The extreme heatwaves in Australia pushed temperatures near 50°C and intensified fire danger, while in Chile and Argentina deadly wildfires spread under scorching, windy conditions. The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stressed that human-caused climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the 1950s and additional warming will further increase their frequency and intensity.
A weakened polar vortex triggered major winter storms across North America, Europe, and Asia, bringing heavy snow, dangerous cold, and widespread disruptions, alongside exceptional snowfall in regions such as Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and northern Japan. Large parts of Europe witnessed back-to-back storms, with heavy precipitation, strong winds and high waves causing travel disruption and flooding in many countries, ranging from Ireland and the United Kingdom in the west to Portugal, Spain and France and the entire Mediterranean region. The Iberian Peninsula has been indeed battered by three severe winter storms (Kristin, Leonardo and Marta), causing flooding in various areas that has led to the evacuation and displacement of many, and the destruction of important infrastructure. The consequences in Portugal have sparked debates and calls for the creation of fit-for-the-future climate plans.
Southern Africa has been affected by severe flooding since late December 2025, particularly Mozambique, where it affected at least 650,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands, causing over 200 deaths, and the loss of 173,000 acres of crops. Some of the hardest-hit cities include the capital Maputo. South Africa declared a national disaster on 18 January over torrential rains and floods that have killed at least 30 people and washed away homes, roads and bridges in the country’s north. A World Weather Attribution Study mention that climate change and La Niña combined to create ‘perfect storm’ in the deadly Southern Africa floods in Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. In Indonesia, more than 50 people were killed in a landslide in West Java, triggered by heavy rainfall. In New Zealand, a series of tropical storm systems brought record rainfall to the upper North Island, triggering flooding and landslides that caused casualties. In Colombia, at least 251,760 people (71,115 families) in 22 departments and 148 municipalities of the country have been affected by floods, sudden surges, and mass movements associated with intense and atypical rainfall since January. Tropical Cyclone Gezani caused severe damage across eastern and central Madagascar, with nearly 270,000 people affected, 16,000 displaced, and 40 deaths.

Strengthening Multilateral Action for a Healthier Planet

The future of multilateralism is at the center of numerous reflections as global challenges become more complex and resources more limited.

As highlighted by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen in the UNEP Annual Report 2025 released last week, “Amid global tensions and shifting national priorities, multilateralism is undoubtedly facing challenges. Even so, 2025 was a year in which nations showed that environmental multilateralism is the beacon that rises high above the fog of geopolitical differences to rally the world in united action.” The report highlights progress made last year on key environmental challenges through international cooperation despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions. → UNEP Press Release

The 2026 edition of The Geneva Policy Outlook (GPO26) — an initiative of the Geneva Graduate Institute in partnership with the Republic and State of Geneva and the City of Geneva — highlights the need for Geneva to adapt as a global hub amid an era of radical uncertainty shaped by geopolitical tensions, accelerating climate impacts, emerging technological risks, and persistent global challenges such as nuclear threats, inequality, and environmental degradation. While Geneva hosts numerous thematic policy spaces, the increasing complexity of global issues demands stronger cross‑cutting collaboration and strategic‑level coordination beyond traditional silos. Building on its 150‑year history of adapting to major global shifts, from humanitarianism to the League of Nations, the UN system, and private diplomacy, Geneva now faces renewed pressure to evolve. Across the various chapters, experts’ suggestions for a resilient and reinvigorated environmental agenda include embracing a philosophy of hope for a better future, whereas the role of Geneva’s adaptation to this moment of crisis could be ensured by its positioning as “the global capital of agenda-keeping – a hub somewhere in the world that keeps the agenda on collective challenges alive”, and as global hub to broker cross-cutting and results-oriented partnerships, including new ones on agri-food partnership for food security and humanitarian action. The outlook also highlights negotiation successes, red flags, and future opportunities that emerge from diplomatic activities in Geneva, including the Pandemic Agreement adopted by the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025, and the successes behind the global alliance to combat colourism and the associated use of skin-lightening cosmetics pioneered by the Minamata Convention on Mercury, WHO and UNEP. → The GPO26 will be officially launched with an event on 18 February 2026 at the Auditorium Ivan Pictet, Maison de la Paix.

Opinion articles published in the Tribune de Genève International column have also been reflecting on Geneva multilateral landscape, enriched by its unique concentration of international organizations, diplomatic missions, NGOs and experts:

UNEP Europe Office Director Arnold Kreilhuber reflected on Geneva collective action for the environment. Geneva is rightly recognized as a global hub for diplomacy, human rights, and humanitarian action. It also plays a central yet sometimes overlooked role in global environmental governance by bringing together diverse actors to address the interconnected planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Within this unique institutional landscape, the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) – supported by Switzerland and hosted by UNEP – strengthens cooperation across institutions by connecting experts, sharing information, and fostering cross‑sector dialogue that breaks down silos. The GEN offers discreet yet essential collective efforts in service of the global environment, under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation Corine Momal-Vanian, reflects on three risky scenarios emerging for multilateralism: unilateralism, “zombie” multilateralism, and limited‑membership coalitions – none of which can provide legitimate, effective global solutions. A fourth, more promising scenario remains possible: a reinvented and revitalized multilateralism acting collectively to face climate change, pandemics, conflicts and other challenges. This will require courageous leadership, modernized UN structures, and genuine inclusion of diverse actors beyond states. Geneva and its “inclusive and pragmatic DNA”, she argues, is the natural laboratory for tomorrow’s multilateralism, which requires a complete makeover.

Michael Møller, a Kofi Annan Foundation Board member, and former director general of UNOG, in a speech delivered last month at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen, argues that the world is facing a convergence of existential crises – climate change, conflict, inequality, technological disruption, and declining trust – that expose the limits of a multilateral system built 80 years ago, yet also highlighted how past progress was made possible through international cooperation led by the United Nations. Complacency, fragmentation, and zero‑sum competition have weakened global governance, making deep reform essential, not by restoring the old system but by “building forward better” toward a more inclusive, networked, and results‑driven model of multilateralism. This requires transforming UN structures, especially the Security Council, integrating non‑state actors, embracing technology, breaking down institutional silos, and fostering courageous political and civic leadership. Geneva is presented as a unique laboratory for this renewed multilateralism, demonstrating what collaboration among diverse actors can achieve.

The United Nations’ system-wide is advancing its reform effort through the UN80 Initiative, completed by an Action Plan shared with UN Member States last November. A Dashboard, developed as an annex to the UN80 Initiative Action Plan, presents the detailed work packages across the three UN80 Initiative workstreams. Work package 27 of the Action Plan, led by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell is to “undertake a thorough assessment of current arrangements and make proposals on possible structural changes and programme realignments on environmental issues”. The vision of WP 27 is to highlight the importance of health and stability of the environment for the three pillars of the UN charter; advance system wide action to deliver faster and improve support to address environmental challenges at all levels; maximize positive impact through shared knowledge and skills, review possible structural changes with a view to enhance efficiencies, effectiveness and impact and to reduce fragmentation; and incentivize collaboration to make the existing system deliver better. Other relevant UN80 Work Packages for the environment include UNCT reconfiguration (WP5), Regional Reset (WP6), joint knowledge hubs (WP7 and WP9), expertise on demand (WP8), and training and research (WP17). → Consult updated on UN80 and the environmental pillar

Environmental Awards | Upcoming Deadlines

Environmental awards and prizes play a central role in recognizing and amplifying the work of individuals and institutions shaping a more sustainable future. Every year, these awards celebrate achievements across diplomacy, science, youth engagement, innovation, and environmental justice while reminding the world of the urgent need for collective action in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. → Consult our dedicated update that provides an overview of global flagship awards, thematic environmental prizes, and Swiss-based awards recognizing the champions working towards a healthier, more resilient and just planet.

Upcoming award deadlines include:

Concours cantonal du développement durable 2026 | The canton of Geneva call for applications for the 25th edition of the Cantonal Sustainable Development Competition. This edition marks 25 years of promoting and highlighting exemplary projects and initiatives in the field of sustainability in Geneva and its region. The competition aims to support, encourage, and raise awareness of exemplary projects and achievements led by civil society. It is a key tool for implementing the law on public action for sustainable development. → The deadline for submitting applications is 17 February 2026.
UNCTAD-AIB Award for Research on Investment and Development | The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Division of Investment and Enterprise and the Academy of International Business (AIB) have jointly established an award for the best young academic research work on international investment and development. The award is intended for PhD students or early career researchers with no more than five years of full-time work experience. Contributions should focus on how to ensure international investment and multinational enterprises contribute to sustainable development. Research areas may include topics shaping the future of investment, such as investment in climate change adaptation and mitigation. → The deadline to apply is 25 February 2026.
YAS 2026 | The Young Activists Summit is held annually in the fall in Geneva and online. Applications to become a #YAS26 Laureate or nominate a young activist whose work deserves recognition are open to candidates below 30 years old who demonstrate clear, concrete impact in their community or on the environment. → The deadline for applications/nominations is 15 March 2026
Prix IDDEA 2026 | Prix IDDEA supports project makers in the development of sustainable and innovative business projects. Proposed ideas must be economically viable and socially and ecologically useful. → The deadline for subscription is 17 March 2026.

Continuing to Enjoy a Green Winter in Geneva

With schools in neighboring France still enjoying Winter holidays, and schools in Geneva starting their break this weekend, suggestions to enjoy a Green Winter in Geneva include this week:

Vie cachée du Léman : mollusques et crustacés sous la loupe | 18 February 2026 | Espace Léman
Though less well known among Lake Geneva’s inhabitants, mollusks and crustaceans make up a significant part of its biodiversity. Step into the role of a specialist and take a closer look at these species using our magnifying glasses and microscopes. This workshop will introduce you to the species living in the lake and the roles they play in its ecosystem.
Temporary Exhibition – « Jamais la nature ne nous trompe » | Inauguration on 17 February, Until 23 December 2026 | Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques
Come and discover a scientific and aesthetic object that bears witness to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s passion for nature and botany: one of his rare portable herbariums, designed to deepen knowledge of plants and awaken an interest in botany.
The challenges of sustainability in open events | 19 February 2026 | Maison de l’Avenir
This roundtable, organized by the Responsible Events Network, will explore the topic of sustainability in “open” events and will be followed by an aperitif. The event will take a deeper look at sustainability in open, free events held in public spaces. Through the experiences shared by our guests, we will explore best practices, constraints, and on-the-ground realities: what works, what doesn’t, and what can be improved.
Territoire Nations – Chroniques du Garage #3 : Diplomatie, ville, voisinage, que partage-t-on?| 19 February 2026 | Avenue de la Paix 19
The Territoire Nations project continues its series of events at Garage Braillard with a day dedicated to international organizations and their integration within the Nations district. This third event aims to bring international institutions and civil society closer together, drawing on the places, archives and infrastructures that shape the relationships between diplomacy, the city, and the surrounding neighborhood.
Honorer le vivant | 19 February 2026 | Bibliothèque de la Cité
This evening invites you to discover and celebrate the incredible complexity of the bonds forged between humans and nature, and the lifestyles that result from them. The focus will be on the preservation of the rainforest and the indigenous peoples of Borneo, who have developed a special relationship with this endangered ecosystem.
Dernier coup d’œil sur les hivernants | 22 February 2026 | Arrêt de bus Choully
During this outing with the Groupe Ornithologique du Bassin Genevois (GOGB), you will go in search of overwintering passerines in the fields and vineyards. This includes looking for flocks of larks and finches and with a bit of luck, Northern Lapwings or a Hen Harrier.
Festival Antigel | Until 28 February 2026 | Various locations
Since 2011, Antigel has turned Geneva into a bold playground for cultural and artistic exploration. Blending emerging and iconic artists with unexpected venues, the festival celebrates the diversity of the Canton of Geneva. More than a festival, Antigel is weeks of artistic, sporting, and community experiences, driven by innovation and the belief that culture can spark societal change.
Glacier(s) | Until 4 March 2026 | Ecolint Centre des Arts
This exhibition brings together the works of Bernard Garo and Jacques Pugin around their shared fascination with and concern for landscapes, mountains and glaciers: their beauty, and their inevitable transformation under climate change and human impact. The exhibition explores their artistic worlds and ways of seeing, while creating a space for awareness and critical reflection. Alongside this, works by the young artist Albatros will be presented. For the occasion, he has quite literally chosen to give voice to the mountains through painting.
Libre comme le Rhône – de Robert Hainard | Until 29 March 2026 | Quartier Libre
The exhibition invites visitors to travel back in time along the river, from the last wild landscapes before the major developments of the Rhône to the major energy decisions taken during the 20th century, right up to the emergence of environmental awareness.
Exhibition “Quel froid!” | Until 30 August 2026 | Maison Tavel
Explores the theme of winter in Geneva and beyond, bringing together traditions, artists’ perspectives, and visual archives. Visitors are guided through popular practices, urban scenes, and majestic landscapes, from Lake Geneva to the Alps.

What (Else) To Read Next?

UN climate chief in Istanbul: new era of climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world | UNFCCC | 12 February 2026
One thing is clear: COP31 in Antalya will take place in extraordinary times. We find ourselves in a new world disorder. This is a period of instability and insecurity. Of strong arms and trade wars. The very concept of international cooperation is under attack. These challenges are real and serious. But climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world.
Ain’t No Valley Low Enough” to Keep Humans from Mining the Seabed’s Critical Minerals: The Realities of Deep-sea Mining and Indigenous Connections to the Seafloor | Cultural Survivor | 10 February 2026
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that when ocean impacts are included in the costs of climate change, the total economic costs of harm double. And yet in spite of this economic rationale for protecting and sustaining our marine environments, for some the deep-sea beds across the world’s oceans have become the next new frontier for mining.
Upholding ICJ opinion vital for global climate action: Regenvanu | Daily Post Digital Network | 10 February 2026
Vanuatu has introduced the zero draft of a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) Advisory Opinion (AO) on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, handed down on 23 July 2025. A statement released over the weekend said a core group of States contributed to the zero draft, representing diverse regions. Members include Vanuatu, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Palau, the Philippines, Singapore, and Sierra Leone.
The global trade of plastic waste has fallen dramatically in the last decade | Our World in Data | 10 February 2026
The good news is that trade in plastic waste has fallen by more than two-thirds over the last decade. China has been the biggest driver of this. It was once a large importer, but after a steep decline in trade in 2016 and a ban in 2018, many countries lost their largest export market. In 2024, around 5 million tonnes of plastic waste were traded worldwide. For context, that is around 1% of the total plastic waste generated. What’s perhaps surprising is that most trade is now between high-income countries.
Getting organized. EU directive is a chance for states to tackle environmental crime as organized crime | GITOC | 9 February 2026
In a bleak year for international cooperation, the 2025 G20 summit in South Africa reached a rare point of agreement: environmental crime can no longer be sidelined. This signals that governments in both the North and South are finally beginning to see the severity of the problem. But if a clampdown is to succeed, the most basic issue must first be confronted: many policymakers still do not regard environmental crime as organized crime. EU countries have an opportunity to get this right when sharpening their environmental criminal laws in 2026.
New EU rules to stop the destruction of unsold clothes and shoes | European Commission | 9 February 2026
The European Commission today (Feb 9) adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories and footwear. The rules will help cut waste, reduce environmental damage and create a level playing field for companies embracing sustainable business models, allowing them to reap the benefits of a more circular economy.
RENURE: Science ignored as EU weakens nitrate rules favouring Big Agribusiness | EEB | 9 February 2026
By amending the Nitrates Directive to allow higher applications of nitrogen from processed manure, the European Commission has pushed through a far-reaching policy change without proper scrutiny, without meaningful consultation, and while disregarding key scientific evidence – and ignoring its own Better Regulation Guidelines.
Olympics on little or fake snow – a global event running out of winter | WWF | 8 February 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in a landscape already transformed by the climate crisis. Yet political and economic leaders continue to avert their eyes — choosing to sidestep the science and ignore what is unfolding in real time across the Alps. Organizers have long known that snowfall in the Italian Alps is declining. Instead of confronting that reality, they built vast artificial‑snow systems that draw on water reserves already under severe pressure. This global event could have opened a much‑needed conversation about the future of mountain regions in a warming world. Instead, the moment evaporated.
Procedures and Mechanisms on Implementation and Compliance with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2026) | BRS Conventions | February 2026
This updated publication is intended to promote understanding of the procedures and mechanisms for promoting implementation and compliance with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. It presents a snapshot of the terms of reference of the three mechanisms under the conventions.
Food fraud in the fisheries and aquaculture sector | FAO | February 2026
The global fisheries and aquaculture sector, which produced over 185 million tonnes of aquatic products in 2022 and was valued at USD 195 billion, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to food fraud. This vulnerability arises from the sector’s complexity, the wide variety of species traded (over 12 000), and the involvement of multiple inspection authorities across international supply chains. Food fraud in the aquatic sector includes practices such as species substitution, mislabeling, adulteration, counterfeiting and misrepresentation of origin or production method. These actions, often driven by economic motives, pose significant risks to public health, consumer trust and marine conservation. → UN News article