Bangladesh has formally become a party to the Minamata Convention on Mercury by handing over the instrument of ratification to the UN.
This Convention is aimed at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, on Tuesday handed over the instrument of ratification to David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section of the UN, the foreign ministry said.
With that submission, Bangladesh has formally become a party to the Convention. Earlier, the government has decided to ratify the Convention following a series of consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Through enhancing international cooperation for the reduction of mercury pollution, the Convention saves the environment and the lives of millions of people around the world.
Mercury is also in the top 10 of chemicals of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization.
By joining the Convention as a party, Bangladesh is reaffirming its strong commitment to the global efforts in reducing mercury pollution to save our mother planet and its habitants, the foreign ministry said.
The Convention was adopted and opened for signature on 10 October 2013 at a diplomatic conference held in Kumamoto, Japan.
As of now, 140 countries have become parties to the Convention and by ratifying the treaty. Bangladesh has become the 141st party to the Convention.
