May 2012, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan – In the framework of the project “Developing an Integrated National Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Implementation in Uzbekistan”, a National Forum on Governance and Priority Setting for SAICM Implementation, combined with an Action Plan Skills Building Workshop, was held from 14 to 16 May 2012 with the participation of UNITAR.

The objectives of the National Forum were: (i) to raise awareness about the SAICM; (ii) to review and endorse the National Profile to assess the national infrastructure for management of chemicals and the Capacity Assessment for the sound management of chemicals and national SAICM implementation; (iii) to identify national priorities for SAICM implementation; and (iv) to discuss next project activities, namely, Strengthening the national gorvernance structure,  developing a National SAICM Implementation Plan, and agreeing on potantial partnership projects. During the Action Plan Skills Building Workshop, participants were given the opportunity to work in working groups on the development of action plans related to agreed national priorities in the field of chemicals and waste management.

Some 60 participants from public and private sectors, civil society, and academia were given presentations and participated in the discussion on SAICM and the international context for sound chemicals management as well as on the above listed project activities. The National Forum on Governance and Priority Setting for SAICM Implementation and Action Plan Skills Building Workshop were hosted by the State Committee for Nature Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with technical support provided by UNITAR, and financial support provided by SAICM's Quick Start Programme Trust Fund.