Languages of the UN Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

The official languages of the UN Secretariat of the Basel Convention are English, French, and Spanish.

The Basel Convention aims to control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, promote their safe disposal, and reduce their generation.

The Basel Convention entered into force on May 5, 1992.

As of 2023, there are 193 countries that are party to the Basel Convention.

The Secretariat of the Basel Convention is responsible for administering the Convention, providing technical assistance to parties, and promoting compliance with the Convention.

The Secretariat of the Basel Convention is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

As of 2023, Rolph Payet is the Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention.

The main objectives of the Basel Convention are to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, to minimize the generation of hazardous wastes, and to ensure the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes.

Hazardous waste is more toxic, flammable, and corrosive than non-hazardous waste.

Asbestos, lead, and mercury are all examples of hazardous wastes.

Hazardous wastes can be disposed of in a landfill, in a焚化炉, or in a deep-well injection.

The challenges to the effective implementation of the Basel Convention include lack of financial resources, lack of technical capacity, and lack of political will.

The Basel Convention has contributed to the reduction of lead in gasoline, the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, and the development of safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

The Basel Convention is likely to be strengthened in the future to address new challenges, such as the increasing generation of electronic waste and the need to promote the circular economy.

Individuals can help implement the Basel Convention by reducing their consumption of hazardous products, disposing of hazardous waste properly, and supporting organizations that work to protect the environment.