Countries Unite Behind New UN Panel to Combat Chemical Waste and Pollution

In a significant step toward protecting both human health and the environment, countries around the world have come together to establish a new global science-policy panel focused on tackling pollution, chemical waste, and hazardous materials.

This breakthrough follows years of negotiation led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The newly agreed-upon panel is set to bridge the gap between science and policymaking, providing governments, especially those in developing nations like Nigeria, with the kind of evidence-based insight needed to take meaningful action.

The agreement was formalised during an Intergovernmental Meeting held on June 19 and 20, 2025, following in-depth discussions earlier in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Operating under UNEP’s umbrella, the panel will begin its work in the coming months, starting with its first plenary session. There, it will set its agenda, define priorities, and establish a plan for stakeholder engagement; among its primary goals are conducting global assessments, translating scientific findings into actionable guidance, and identifying critical knowledge gaps.

Another key function will be “horizon scanning”, a forward-looking approach designed to flag emerging threats from chemicals and waste before they escalate into crises.

For developing nations like Nigeria, the timing couldn’t be more urgent. Waste generation is rising rapidly. Municipal solid waste is projected to climb from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to a staggering 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. With Nigeria’s urban population expanding at a fast pace, the pressure on national waste systems and chemical safety infrastructure is only intensifying.

The human toll of pollution is already severe. Air pollution is responsible for approximately 6.5 million deaths annually. Meanwhile, deaths linked to newer forms of pollution, such as industrial chemicals and hazardous waste, have surged by 66% over the past two decades.

And it’s not just a public health crisis. The economic burden is growing, too. In 2020, global waste management costs hit $252 billion, a figure expected to rise as unsustainable practices continue unchecked.

With the creation of this new science-policy body, the world now has a third major scientific institution alongside the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Together, these three panels form a robust foundation to address the so-called "triple planetary crisis": climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

For Nigeria, the panel offers a crucial opportunity. It creates a stronger platform for international support, helps refine domestic policies, and ultimately improves protections for communities facing toxic exposure. It also reinforces the country’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as public health, access to clean water, and responsible consumption.

Looking ahead, the panel is expected to help shape a more inclusive and effective global response, one where science drives decisions and every country, regardless of its income level, can develop tailored solutions that prioritise both people and the planet.