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The third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP3) is taking place from November 25-29 in Geneva, with a focus on ways to protect human health and the environment from releases of mercury related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

The GEF continually incorporates guidance from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties into its programs and operations, as described annually in its report to the COP. As a complementary publication to the GEF’s annual report, this booklet summarizes all guidance to the GEF dating from the first COP to COP24 and the corresponding GEF responses. This publication provides full documentation of the evolution of GEF activities and policies as informed by guidance from the COP.

The planetGOLD program works in partnership with governments, the private sector, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities in nine countries to significantly improve the production practices and work environment of artisanal and small-scale miners. By working to close the financing gap, supporting formalization, and connecting mining communities with mercury-free technology and formal markets, the program aims to demonstrate a pathway to cleaner and more efficient small-scale gold mining practices that benefit everyone, from mine to market.

The 55th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council meeting wrapped up today following the approval of its first work program under its new, four-year investment cycle, known as GEF-7, and a series of decisions that will firm up its implementation policies and procedures.