27 September 2022 – In response to requests of countries of the Region for support in implementing the WHO chemical road map in order to enhance health sector engagement in the strategic approach to international chemicals management. The Climate Change, Health and Environment programme of the Department of Healthier Populations, in collaboration with the WHO country office in Saudi Arabia and the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) held a 2-day national workshop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 4 to 5 September, to develop a plan of action to facilitate the implementation of the road map.

The main purpose of this workshop was to develop national plans of action to facilitate the implementation of WHO chemicals road map that was endorsed by the 70th World Health Assembly to enhance health sector engagement in the strategic approach to international chemicals management taking into account the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The overall theme of the workshop was a mixture of technical presentations provided by WHO and national experts, panel discussion, and working group sessions. It was attended by 45 participants from different sectors, including the Public Health Authority, Ministries of Health, Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Human resources and social development, General Directorate of Poison Control Centre/Ministry of Health, SABIC, Civil Defense, Saudi Food and Drug Administration, Sea Port Authority, Transport General Authority, GACA, KACST, Saudi Aramco, Royal Commission Medical Center, Saudi Aramco, King Abdelaziz City for Environmental Compliance, Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, National Center for Waste Management, and National Guard Hospital Affairs.

Related links

WHO chemicals road map

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

Inter-organization Program for Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) toolbox