4-5 May 2011, Niamey, Republic of Niger - A two-day workshop to launch enabling activities for national implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) was held in Niamey, Republic of Niger from 4 to 5 May 2011.

Some forty participants from public and private sectors were given an overview on all general aspects of SAICM – an international policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals – and trained on activities to be undertaken as part of the Quick Start ProgrammeTrust Fund project including updating a National Chemicals Management Profile, strengthening the national governance structure, and developing a National SAICM Implementation Plan.

Two press releases on the workshop were published in the national newspaper “Le Sahel”, on 5 and 10 May 2011, highlighting the importance given by the authorities for this event by showing their commitment to sound chemicals management while reducing harm to human health and the environment.

In partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Fight Against Desertification of the Republic of Niger, technical support provided by UNITAR, and financial support from SAICM’s Quick Start Programme Trust Fund, project activities will now be initiated by the Republic of Niger’s authorities in cooperation with concerned parties for a two year period.