Tonga is championing stronger chemical safety at the 2025 BRS Conventions in Geneva.
As one of six Pacific nations party to all three Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, Tonga is highlighting its progress in managing hazardous chemicals and waste. The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Basel Convention, alongside the 12th COPs for the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, is underway from 28 April to 9 May in Geneva.
Ms Mafile’o Masi, Tonga’s Deputy Director for Environment and Head of Waste Management and Pollution Control, emphasised the importance of these treaties. “We became parties to the BRS Conventions because we recognised that we lacked the capacity and the resources to deal with hazardous wastes and chemicals, most of which are imported,” she said.
Under the Stockholm Convention, Tonga has banned most listed Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The Basel Convention has provided training and support, enabling Tonga to better control the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and develop the Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals Act 2010.
Despite legislative advances, enforcement challenges remain. Ms Masi noted, “Our limited capacity is a challenge that we share with the rest of the Pacific island countries, therefore, we need to stand united to deliver tangible results.”
The 2025 COPs, themed “Make the Invisible Visible,” focus on the hidden impacts of chemicals and waste. Pacific delegates are advocating for stronger international cooperation and capacity-building to protect human health and the environment.([Welcome Page][1], [sprep.org][2])
Ms Masi urged other Pacific nations to ratify the BRS Conventions, stating, “You have a moral duty as stewards to ensure that the people and the environment are well protected from the adverse impact of hazardous wastes and chemicals.”
The Pacific’s unified stance at the COPs underscores the region’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
