The resolution recognizes the significant opportunity to prevent a sizable burden of disease by addressing environmental determinants particularly the sound management of chemicals and waste and including preventing up to one fifth of all suicide-related deaths from highly hazardous pesticides.
Its purpose is to enhance the linkages between the World Health Organization (WHO) and various intergovernmental agreements addressing chemicals and waste pollution and also connections with other health priorities such as maternal and child health, suicide prevention, health inequities and health of those in vulnerable situations.
The need for strengthening training of the health workforce, dissemination of knowledge and strengthening surveillance and biomonitoring approaches were highlighted in the discussions.
Member States were urged to bolster the implementation of existing WHO strategies including implementation of the WHO chemicals road map which identifies the key responsibilities for health in implementing the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
The resolution also encourages ministries of health to engage in efforts to prepare proposals for an intergovernmental science-policy panel and negotiations for a treaty to end plastic pollution and to consider the future role of WHO in these endeavors.
Member States expressed the need to ensure that human health is at the core of efforts to end plastic pollution including the new intergovernmental plastics treaty being negotiated.
Member States appreciated the existing WHO strategies including implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Health, Environment and Climate Change and the WHO Chemicals Road map and the need to tackle issues in a holistic way including through a rights- based approach including the right to a clean and healthy environment.