On May 17, 2004, the first-ever legally binding international treaty to control toxic chemicals - the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) enters into force, providing an unprecedented legal framework to ban or severely restrict the production and use of the some of the worlds most toxic chemicals.

The Koto Protocol became legally binding on its 128 Parties on 16th February 2005.

The Commission April 2003 session marks its first formal meeting since the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa. The Commission will focus on its own future work in translating into reality the commitments to economic growth, social development and environmental protection, made at that landmark conference.