PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay — World governments have formally agreed to establish a new global science-policy panel that will help countries curb pollution, manage toxic chemicals, and control hazardous waste. The decision was reached during an intergovernmental meeting held June 19–20 in Uruguay.
The panel is expected to provide clear, science-based advice that helps policymakers respond to growing environmental and health threats tied to industrial chemicals, poor waste handling, and pollution.
The move follows three years of negotiations stemming from a 2022 resolution passed by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), which called for an independent body to fill a critical knowledge gap in the global response to environmental harm caused by chemicals and waste.
“This panel is a historic step toward preventing pollution and saving lives,” said Inger Andersen in a statement issued Friday. “The next phase is about putting this mechanism to work quickly so it can deliver impact.”
Panels impact and overview
Once operational, the panel will serve as an independent advisory body made up of participating governments and global experts. Its mandate includes:
- Assessing scientific evidence related to pollution, waste, and toxic chemicals
- Identifying research gaps and emerging threats
- Translating complex findings into policy-relevant language
- Supporting national responses, especially in developing countries
- Promoting knowledge-sharing and early warning systems
Its work will also be closely aligned with the Global Framework on Chemicals, adopted in 2023, and will support existing international treaties on environmental safety
Significance and direction
The panel’s creation comes at a time of mounting concern over the effects of pollution on human health and ecosystems. According to the World Health Organization and supporting data, air pollution alone causes 6.7 million deaths globally every year. A separate 2021 analysis found that lead exposure contributed to 5.5 million heart-related deaths in 2019.
Experts have warned that without stronger global coordination, the impacts will only worsen. UNEP’s 2024 Global Waste Outlook projects that annual solid waste output will hit nearly 4 billion metric tons by 2050, a 56% rise from 2021 levels. The chemical industry is also forecast to double in size by 2030, amplifying pollution risks.
“The pressure is rising fast,” said Tessa Goverse, who has helped steer technical input for the panel. “Policymakers need consistent, trusted scientific guidance, not fragmented reports.”
Engagement and cooperation
The panel will mirror other high-profile science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Together, these three bodies will cover climate, nature loss, and pollution the so-called “triple planetary crisis.”
What sets this panel apart is its wide focus on all major pollutants chemical, solid, and airborne while maintaining a practical connection to national realities. In addition to scientific contributors, the panel will invite input from frontline communities, workers, and Indigenous groups. Businesses may also be engaged, though with safeguards to prevent undue influence.
Role in Global Agreements
The panel will support the implementation of several Multilateral Environmental Agreements. These include:
- The Basel Convention, which governs hazardous waste movement
- The Rotterdam Convention, which tracks hazardous chemicals in trade
- The Stockholm Convention, which restricts persistent organic pollutants
- The Minamata Convention, which regulates mercury
These agreements may request technical reviews or science-based policy support from the new panel.
Objectives of new panel
The panel’s first full plenary session will be held in early 2026. Member governments will agree on a work program, set research priorities, and define how the panel will engage with other institutions and stakeholders.
In the meantime, the working group will finalize administrative structures and define how expert contributions will be selected and reviewed.
The urgency driving this initiative is clear. Pollution now poses a risk not only to individual health but also to climate stability and biodiversity. With the panel in place, governments are expected to act on evidence, not guesswork, and implement measures that reduce harm before it becomes irreversible.
