National Consortium for the Elimination of Malaria NaCEM Sierra Leone closely following 2025 BRS COPs: Advancing Malaria Elimination and Environmental Safety.
The 2025 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) are currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28th April to 9th May, 2025. Under the theme “Make visible the invisible: sound management of chemicals and wastes,” the conference highlights the often-overlooked dangers of chemical pollutants and hazardous waste to human and environmental health (Geneva Environment Network).
For #NaCEM Sierra Leone, this global forum is of critical relevance. One of the central issues under the Stockholm Convention is the continued use of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) in malaria vector control and hazardous waste. Although DDT has contributed significantly to malaria reduction globally — with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that vector control with insecticides, including DDT, has helped reduce malaria cases by over 60% globally since 2000— its persistence in the environment and potential toxicity to humans and wildlife raise concerns.
In Sierra Leone, malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, accounting for 38% of outpatient morbidity and over 20% of hospital admissions Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 2024. #NaCEM supports the Stockholm Convention’s review process which is assessing the continued exemption of DDT for public health use, while also exploring sustainable, locally adaptable alternatives such as integrated vector management (IVM), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and larval source management (LSM).
Beyond DDT, the 2025 BRS COPs also address:
�Illegal traffic of hazardous waste, which disproportionately affects low-income countries.
�The listing of new chemicals and pesticides under the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
�The strengthening of waste management infrastructure through international cooperation.
For Sierra Leone — where less than 30% of urban waste is formally collected and processed, and where chemical safety regulations remain under-resourced — these discussions are directly relevant. Improved regulation and enforcement can reduce environmental contamination, protect public health, and align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health), 6 (Clean Water), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
NaCEM’s active participation in the BRS COPs facilitates:
�Access to global best practices in chemical and waste governance.
�Technical assistance and funding opportunities for malaria control and chemical safety.
�Networking with international partners, such as UNEP, WHO, and NGOs, to advance integrated health and environmental solutions.
In line with its mission, NaCEM is working with the Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development YASDev and are committed to eliminating malaria in Sierra Leone without compromising environmental integrity. The outcomes of the 2025 BRS COPs will be crucial in shaping national strategies that protect both people and the planet.
IPEN AA USAID West Africa Global Civil Society for Malaria Elimination Impact Santé Afrique UN Environment Programme Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone Global Fund for Children Mohamed Jalloh Zero Malaria Fridays For Future - Sierra Leone IPEN Youth #nmcpsl #NMCPSL
#BRS2025
#NaCEMatBRSCOPs
#MalariaFreeSL
#HealthAndEnvironment
#BRS2025
#SaferAlternatives
#ChemicalSafetySL
#StopHazardousWaste
#SDGsInAction
#SoundChemicalsManagement
#ProtectPeoplePlanet
#BeyondDDT
#YouthForHealthAndEnvironment
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