The decision to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury was taken by the Governing Council of UNEP in February 2009. The detailed mandate is set out in part III of decision 25/5.
This mandate was reaffirmed by the Governing Council in February 2011, through its decision 26/3.
Previous decisions by the Governing Council paved the way for the negotiations process to be initiated, namely decision 24/3 IV in February 2007 and decision 23/9 IV in February 2005.
Proceedings of the twenty-sixth session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum GC-26/GMEF (see decision 26/3)
Proceedings of the twenty-fifth session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum GC-25/GMEF (see decision 25/5)
Proceedings of the twenty-fourth session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum GC-24/GMEF (see decision 24/3 IV)
Proceedings of the twenty-third session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum GC-23/GMEF (see decision 23/9 IV)