Promotion of a multi-stakeholder model and CSO participation, for the implementation of the 11 core elements of the SAICM in Ethiopia
Our project partner in Ethiopia Eco-justice Ethiopia established a partnership with Ethiopian Environment Forest and Climate Change Commission [EFCCC] for the promotion of a multi-stakeholder model for the implementation of the 11 core elements of the SAICM Overall Orientation Guidance (OOG). At the Commission’s request Eco-Justice Ethiopia has started the work by developing a public stakeholder map and coordination structure for proper lead acid battery lifecycle management.
In developing the public stakeholder map, Eco-justice Ethiopia had the chance to introduce the goals of the project to 14 government ministries and agencies which have mandates related to chemicals management. The lead acid battery lifecycle management coordination structure was first presented at consultative workshop held on November 4, 2020 while the document was being prepared. On this consultative workshop 10 public stakeholder institutions were invited to discuss on the suggested stakeholder map and coordination structure. Here the process of getting buy in from all the public stakeholders for a coordinated governance system was achieved in principle. Further inputs delivered by the participating institutions showed potential areas of improvement for the public stakeholder map and coordination structure being developed.
The document was prepared by Eco-justice Ethiopia Executive director Eskedar Awgichew under the guidance of EFCCC’s Law and policy directorate with additional funding from other NGOs.
A validation workshop was held on February 25 where representatives from the ULAB recycling companies [private sector], CSOs as well as 14 government ministries and agencies participated. Eco-justice Ethiopia Director Eskedar Awgichew presented the developed public stakeholders map and coordination structure for LAB lifecycle management. He also showed how such a model would be a functional means to properly manage chemicals. Wondwossen Sintayehu, co-founder of Eco-Justice and the project lead of the Promotion of a multi-stakeholder model explained the value of expanding the multi-stakeholder process across the entire spectrum of chemicals and wastes while maintaining the value of learning from pilot cases such as the ULAB. At this workshop the participating public stakeholders agreed in principle to be part of the forum that will bring the following 14 government bodies together for the proper LAB lifecycle management;
- Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
- Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy
- Ethiopian Energy Authority
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Ethiopian Customs Commission
- Ethiopian Standards Agency
- Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency
- Public Procurement and Property Disposal Service
- Ministry of Innovation and Technology
- Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- Public Enterprises Holding and Administration Agency
A draft memorandum of understanding was also prepared and each representative took a copy back to their respective institutions. Although an agreement to form the forum has been reached at the validation workshop which endorsed the process unanimously, each institution has to internally discuss the proposal before official signing can take place.
Currently Eco-justice Ethiopia is planning its next workshop to further expand the multi-stakeholder model both in subject matter and participating sectors.