The Conference of the Parties,Reaffirming that the effectiveness evaluation is to assess the overall effectiveness of the Convention at the global level based on the objective of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (article 1),Acknowledging with appreciation the report prepared by the ad hoc technical expert group on effectiveness evaluation,11UNEP/MC/COP.2/INF/8.Noting that the draft report of the ad hoc technical expert group indicates that there are existing monitoring programmes that could contribute to the effectiveness evaluation, and that such monitoring programmes can be further strengthened in the spirit of article 19 of the Convention, which encourages parties to cooperate to develop and improve modelling and geographically representative monitoring,Noting also that the draft report also indicates that there are significant data gaps in various regions of the world, and that filling them through existing or new monitoring programmes would contribute to the effectiveness evaluation;1.Extends the terms of reference of the ad hoc technical expert group provided in decision MC-1/9 to address the issues outlined in annex I to the present decision;2.Adopts the draft road map outlined in annex II to the present decision;3.Requests the ad hoc technical expert group to develop terms of reference for global monitoring arrangements;4.Requests parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to continue to provide information on their monitoring programmes to the secretariat by the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties;5.Requests the secretariat to support the work outlined in annexes I and II to the present decision;6.Requests the ad hoc technical expert group to report to the Conference of the Parties at its third meeting on the progress made in refining the evaluation framework for the Convention, including the monitoring arrangements;7.Invites the Global Environment Facility, within its mandate, to consider, within the guidance given by the Conference of the Parties, supporting eligible parties in the collection of essential data and facilitating the sustainable input of monitoring information at the local, subregional, regional and global levels to contribute towards the effectiveness evaluation, in alignment with the Facility’s guidance.
Annex I to decision MC-2/10
Amended terms of reference of the ad hoc technical expert group on effectiveness evaluation2
2Unless stated otherwise, the terms of reference of decision MC-1/9 apply.
I. Amended mandate
1.The ad hoc technical expert group shall further develop document UNEP/MC/COP.2/INF/8 in accordance with the following outline:(a)Executive summary(b)Introduction(c)Description of the effectiveness evaluation framework(d)Proposed methodology and schedule for the evaluation(e)Issues for further considerations, if any(f)Annex I: Technical information on monitoring, if any(g)Annex II: Draft terms of reference of the effectiveness evaluation committee(h)Annex III: Draft terms of reference of the global monitoring arrangements.2.With regard to the effectiveness evaluation framework, the ad hoc technical expert group will:(a)Using the objective of the Minamata Convention, review and assess the detailed article-by-article process and outcome indicators in table 4 of document UNEP/MC/COP.2/INF/8; elaborate on the sources of information and baselines for those indicators, considering cost‑effectiveness, practicality, feasibility and sustainability; and, on that basis, provide detailed rationales for the recommended indicators;(b)Identify which recommended indicators require monitoring data, in particular in relation to the control measures and objectives set out in the articles of the Convention;(c)Develop a methodology for integrating the recommended indicators with a view to providing an integrated picture of the general effectiveness of the Convention, (e.g., by use of aggregated or cross-cutting indicators);(d)Amend the recommended draft terms of reference of the effectiveness evaluation committee and the schedule for the first effectiveness evaluation, if needed, on the basis of the outcome of the process outlined in the present paragraph.3.With regard to monitoring, the ad hoc technical expert group will:(a)Identify:(i)Which categories of the available3 comparable4 monitoring data would be most effective in providing information on global trends (distinguishing these data from data that may be useful for informing local, national and/or regional policies);3Available data include both currently available data and data collected in the future.4Data are comparable when collected using identical methodologies. Data may also be made comparable by using standardized and known scientific methodologies.(ii)What monitoring data in air, water, biota, and humans could be used to assess the impact on levels and trends of mercury;(iii)The potential and limitations of the data identified, taking into account the impacts other than anthropogenic emissions and releases on these spatial and temporal trends;(b)Assess the extent to which the information reviewed meets the needs for monitoring as set out in paragraph 2 of article 22 of the Convention, and identify major gaps that could affect the usability of available data, as well as outlining options or recommendations to enhance the comparability and completeness of the information;(c)With the aim of filling gaps in globally relevant monitoring data, for the options and recommendations mentioned in the preceding subparagraph, compare their cost-effectiveness, practicality, feasibility and sustainability, global coverage, and regional capabilities, to identify opportunities for future enhancements to monitoring;(d)Identify available modelling capabilities to assess changes in global mercury levels within and across different media;(e)Examine options and, on the basis of those options, identify sources of data that can be used for establishing a baseline for monitoring data;(f)Provide other technical inputs and necessary information to address any additional monitoring questions that may be identified in the course of elaborating the evaluation framework;(g)Draft terms of reference for global monitoring arrangements, including developing monitoring guidance.
II. Amended membership
4.Taking into account the desire of the Conference of the Parties to augment the capabilities of the ad hoc technical expert group in the area of effectiveness evaluation, members of the group may continue to serve unless the nominating regions decide otherwise.5.The group will invite the participation of up to 10 experts from civil society, indigenous organizations, intergovernmental organizations, industry and the United Nations Environment Programme Global Mercury Partnership as observers. The participation of observers will be balanced among the above-mentioned groups, with a preference for relevant expertise in the field of effectiveness evaluation.
III. Amended qualifications
6.The following qualifications are added to:(a)Annex II of decision MC-1/9, section III (c): expertise in evaluation frameworks as specified by the United Nations Evaluation Group, or in project management monitoring and evaluation as specified by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;(b)Annex II of decision MC-1/9, section III (a): experience relevant to ecosystem processes or expertise in scenario-based long-term forecasting of the status of the environment and in multi-disciplinary impact assessment.
Annex II to decision MC-2/10
Draft road map for the preparation of the report by the ad hoc technical expert group for effectiveness evaluation to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Activity
Time frame
Constitute the ad hoc technical expert group based on the amended membership and qualifications as set out in annex I to decision MC-2/10
December 2018
Request the secretariat, in cooperation with the co-chairs of the ad hoc technical expert group, to prepare the meeting agenda and background documents and conduct preparatory discussions
January 2019
Request the ad hoc technical expert group and observers to provide information and comments in line with the revised mandate for compilation by the secretariat
by March 2019
Hold face-to-face meeting of the ad hoc technical expert group
April 2019
Develop the revised draft report
May–July 2019
Revised draft report open for comments from parties
August–mid-September 2019
Further revise the report
September 2019
Final report available for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its third meeting