The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6) was held from 3–7 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together over 1,000 participants from governments, civil society organizations, international agencies, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, and other stakeholders committed to advancing global efforts to eliminate mercury pollution. Bio Vision Africa (BiVA) participated in the conference as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting environmental health and advocating for stronger measures to protect communities and ecosystems from the harmful effects of mercury exposure. The meeting provided an important platform to review progress under the Convention and agree on actions to accelerate the transition towards a mercury-free future.
A major milestone achieved during COP-6 was the landmark agreement to globally phase out the use of dental amalgam by 1 January 2035, marking a significant step towards eliminating one of the remaining sources of mercury use. The conference also addressed mercury use in several high-risk sectors, including cosmetics, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and industrial processes, with Parties encouraging the adoption of safer and environmentally sound alternatives. In addition, discussions focused on strengthening measures to control mercury trade, combat illegal trafficking of mercury and mercury-containing products, and improve guidelines for the environmentally sound management and disposal of mercury waste.
COP-6 also placed strong emphasis on inclusivity, human rights, and accountability in implementing the Convention. Participants called for enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in decision-making processes and reinforced commitments to addressing the disproportionate impacts of mercury exposure on women and children through the advancement of the Gender Action Plan. Overall, Parties adopted 22 decisions aimed at strengthening the Convention’s effectiveness in protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic mercury emissions and releases. The outcomes of COP-6 reaffirmed the international community’s determination to make mercury history and established a strong foundation for continued action and negotiations leading up to the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-7).
