"We will continue to push this matter and pave the way for the ratification of an ambitious global mercury agreement in 2013,” the ministers write in an article published throughout the Region, as well as in other countries.

Many of the Nordic mercury initiatives are implemented by the intra-governmental Nordic Council of Ministers, which is funding the conference in Stockholm, for example.

“The Nordic countries have a common view of the mercury problem. We have acted forcefully in the global arena, helping the countries of the world to agree in 2009 to instigate negotiations about a binding global agreement on limiting the use of mercury. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) is repsonsible for the initiative,” they continue.

The Nordic countries may have limited or banned the use of mercury but a global solution is needed to the problem.

“It is not only Icelandic volcanic ash that blows freely across national borders. The same certainly applies to mercury. In order to reduce contamination of the Nordic environment, measures must therefore be taken at a global level, through a mercury agreement that applies to all countries,” they add.

Mercury is one of the most dangerous pollutants and has harmful effects on, for example, learning ability. Research has shown that babies of women in the Arctic, who are exposed to food with high mercury content, can be born with damage to the central nervous system. Population groups dependent on marine resources, e.g. in the Arctic, are therefore particularly vulnerable.

Hundreds of decision-makers, experts and civil servants, as well as representatives of the environmental movement and NGOs from all around the world, will gather in Stockholm for the conference.

The ministers’ article in the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet

The ministers’ article in the Swedish newspaper Göteborgs Posten