5 to 6 October 2011, Santo Domingo – The Domican Republic held its National Planning and Inception Workshop from 5 to 6 October 2011 with the participation of UNITAR. The objectives of the workshop were to raise awareness about the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and to launch and plan the activities of the national project for the implementation of SAICM, entitled “Enabling Activities for the Development of a SAICM Implementation Plan within an Integrated National Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals in the Dominican Republic”.  The project aims to strengthen the national capacity to implement SAICM through, inter alia, the preparation of a National Profile to Assess Infrastructure and Capacity Needs for Chemicals Management and the strengthening of national governance mechanisms for intersectoral cooperation and information exchange on chemicals management.

The workshop was attended by some 35 representatives of government, non-governmental organisations, academia, and industry. After introductory presentations on SAICM and chemicals management in the country, lively discussions were held on key project activities. Specifically, brainstorming sessions were carried out to identify key actors and sources of information for drafting the National Profile and strengthening the national governance structures.

Based on the outcomes of this workshop, the Dominican Republic will formalise the National Project Coordinating Committee, begin drafting the National Profile, and explore options for strengthening the national governance structures. The National Profile is expected to be completed in early 2012.

The National Planning and Inception Workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, with technical support provided by UNITAR, and financial support provided by SAICM’s Quick Start Programme Trust Fund.