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About IFCSThe Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS or Forum) is an innovative participatory mechanism with the purpose of providing policy guidance and strategies for the sound management of chemicals at the national, regional and international levels. The Forum provides countries the opportunity to place issues on the international agenda and emphasize their special needs and concerns with respect to improving chemicals management. It was established in 1994 in response to a recommendation adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development – UNCED, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (Forum IV) was held 1- 7 November 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand, hosted by the Government of Thailand. One hundred twenty-six governments participated in the meeting, together with 32 representatives from twelve intergovernmental organizations (IGO) and eighty-one representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGO). At Forum IV the IFCS took stock of the progress achieved on the commitments and recommendations made at Forum III, such as the IFCS Priorities for Action Beyond 2000. Forum IV considered strategies and actions to achieve the agreed targets and also charted the course for work in a number of new areas. More details about IFCS and Forum IV are available on the IFCS web site. |
