Building strategic partnerships is a key element in identifying and mobilizing support for the Basel Convention.
In the Strategic Framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021 (decision BC-10/2), partnerships are identified as one of the means of implementation for the framework. Within the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention (decision BC-10/3), the Conference of the Parties encourages the Secretariat, the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres (BCRCs) and parties to further collaboration with other agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. An effective way to achieve this is through the formation of partnerships.
As requested by decision BC-10/19 on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme, the Secretariat follows closely international developments in respect of public and private partnerships on waste-related issues. Public-private partnerships are a creative method for governments and other stakeholders to collectively address emerging issues and activities associated with priority waste streams.
Involving all key stakeholders, they help to:
- Enhance collaboration;
- Tap into expertise and knowledge at a broader level;
- Bring together experts and policy makers to develop guidance and guidelines leveraging scare resources at all levels; and
- Reduce costs by working together to identify options and solutions and developing needed tools and strategies to enhance the environmentally sound management of used products and wastes
Two kinds of partnerships in support of promoting the sound management of priority waste streams are identified
- Global partnerships established by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention where the Secretariat has a facilitating role and provides expertise:
- Other partnerships established by other partners where the Secretariat seeks to expand involvement to promote the guidelines and tools developed under the Convention and raise awareness and the visibility of the Convention and its obligations and provisions.
Whenever possible, the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres are invited to get actively involved, as appropriate, in concrete partnership activities, e.g. technical groups, pilot activities in regions, and outreach activities.
Parties, signatories and civil society, including environmental non governmental organizations, the private sector and industry, are encouraged to provide technical and financial support for the Partnership Programme and to become involved in specific activities at the national, regional and international levels.