PARC joined forces with the Czech Republic, EIRENE ↗, and RECETOX ↗ to co-host a side event at the 2025 BRS Conventions (Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions) Conference of the Parties (COPs), held in Geneva, on 30 April 2025.

This event explored how science-policy partnerships and cutting-edge research infrastructures contribute to the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This high-level side event was opened by Eduard Levý, Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, and featured key contributions from PARC experts, including Coordinator Pascal Sanders (ANSES), Marike Kolossa-Gehring (UBA), Jacob van Klaveren (RIVM), Philip Marx-Stölting (BfR), Denis Sarigiannis (UATh), and Jana Klánová (RECETOX, MU).

They highlighted PARC’s work in managing POPs and presented tools, models, and data aimed at fostering stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and organizations through the PARC and EIRENE networks.  

The side event attracted interest from UNEP and several national delegates, many of whom visited the joint EIRENE and PARC booth for further discussions with experts and to explore information presented on posters. 

It is extremely important to showcase what PARC is doing scientifically to support the global work of policymakers and risk managers, remarked Pascal Sanders.

 For me, the event was an inspiration for the future sustainability of the impact we jointly generate in PARC, added Jacob van Klaveren

The 17^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-17), the 12^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) and the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) were held in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025, with the theme “Make visible the invisible: sound management of chemicals and wastes”.

More information on the 2025 BRS COPs here ↗.