UNITAR is pleased to deliver its 5-day in-person United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme in Geneva. This flagship field visit offers participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with the global institutions shaping international chemicals and waste policy, while gaining first-hand exposure to multilateral environmental governance in a UN hub.
Hosted primarily at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research - based in Geneva, a Hub of Chemicals and Waste Management, which also hosts the historic Palais des Nations - the programme provides an immersive learning experience combining technical substance, policy insight, and professional development. Participants will interact with UN agencies, convention secretariats, and international experts working at the forefront of chemicals and waste management.
Activities will include a carefully balanced mix of:
Expert lectures
Technical and policy workshops
Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs) briefings and dialogues
Guided institutional visits
Career and networking sessions
The programme is designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in international chemicals and waste governance, while fostering professional networks and offering insight into career pathways within the UN system and related international organizations.
Expert Lectures
Lectures are delivered by senior experts, and facilitators from Geneva-based institutions (*except for OECD and the World Bank), which may include:
Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions Secretariat
Transboundary waste movements, PIC procedures, hazardous waste shipments, and POPs elimination
Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)
Multi-stakeholder and multi-sector approaches to the chemical lifecycle
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Occupational exposure and chemical hazards
Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals
Ten Participating Organizations are contributing to policies and activities to achieve the sound management of chemicals.
Minamata Convention Secretariat
Mercury phase-out, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), reporting, and monitoring
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Paris-based*)
Chemical safety and biosafety for dealing with the safe use of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides, and products of modern biotechnology.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Aarhus Convention, dangerous goods, and transboundary industrial accidents
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Chemicals & Health Branch
Lead and mercury, chemicals in products
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Chemicals and Waste Management Programme
Capacity development approaches for chemicals and waste management
World Bank Group Office (HQ in Washington D.C.*)
Sustainable development, and extended producer responsibility
World Health Organization (WHO)
Chemical safety and public health
Each session lasts 1–2 hours and includes interactive discussion and Q&A.
Guided Tours
Geneva is home to a wealth of historic institutions central to international cooperation and diplomacy. Leveraging its strong presence across the city, UNITAR offers participants exclusive guided visits to key landmarks in global governance. These included visits to:
The Palais des Nations, headquarters of the United Nations Office at Geneva
The International Environment House
Waste Management Facility
Career Sessions
In addition to technical and policy content, UNITAR offers a series of dedicated 2–3 hour career briefing sessions designed to support participants in building and advancing careers within international organizations in Chemicals and Waste management.
These sessions may include:
Briefings on internships and entry-level career opportunities within the UN system
Practical workshops on applying for UN positions, including recruitment processes and interview techniques
Input on application materials, including CVs, motivation letters, Personal History Forms (PHFs), and Inspira profiles
Hosted primarily at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research - based in Geneva, a Hub of Chemicals and Waste Management, which also hosts the historic Palais des Nations - the programme provides an immersive learning experience combining technical substance, policy insight, and professional development. Participants will interact with UN agencies, convention secretariats, and international experts working at the forefront of chemicals and waste management.
Activities will include a carefully balanced mix of:
Expert lectures
Technical and policy workshops
Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs) briefings and dialogues
Guided institutional visits
Career and networking sessions
The programme is designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in international chemicals and waste governance, while fostering professional networks and offering insight into career pathways within the UN system and related international organizations.
Expert Lectures
Lectures are delivered by senior experts, and facilitators from Geneva-based institutions (*except for OECD and the World Bank), which may include:
Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions Secretariat
Transboundary waste movements, PIC procedures, hazardous waste shipments, and POPs elimination
Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)
Multi-stakeholder and multi-sector approaches to the chemical lifecycle
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Occupational exposure and chemical hazards
Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals
Ten Participating Organizations are contributing to policies and activities to achieve the sound management of chemicals.
Minamata Convention Secretariat
Mercury phase-out, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), reporting, and monitoring
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Paris-based*)
Chemical safety and biosafety for dealing with the safe use of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides, and products of modern biotechnology.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Aarhus Convention, dangerous goods, and transboundary industrial accidents
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Chemicals & Health Branch
Lead and mercury, chemicals in products
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Chemicals and Waste Management Programme
Capacity development approaches for chemicals and waste management
World Bank Group Office (HQ in Washington D.C.*)
Sustainable development, and extended producer responsibility
World Health Organization (WHO)
Chemical safety and public health
Each session lasts 1–2 hours and includes interactive discussion and Q&A.
Guided Tours
Geneva is home to a wealth of historic institutions central to international cooperation and diplomacy. Leveraging its strong presence across the city, UNITAR offers participants exclusive guided visits to key landmarks in global governance. These included visits to:
The Palais des Nations, headquarters of the United Nations Office at Geneva
The International Environment House
Waste Management Facility
Career Sessions
In addition to technical and policy content, UNITAR offers a series of dedicated 2–3 hour career briefing sessions designed to support participants in building and advancing careers within international organizations in Chemicals and Waste management.
These sessions may include:
Briefings on internships and entry-level career opportunities within the UN system
Practical workshops on applying for UN positions, including recruitment processes and interview techniques
Input on application materials, including CVs, motivation letters, Personal History Forms (PHFs), and Inspira profiles
