4th Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability Finance

The 4th Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability Finance is set to take place online on October 7, 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00 CEST. This event is hosted by Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, in collaboration with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC). The forum will focus on mobilizing finance to support sound chemicals and waste management worldwide.

Opening remarks will be made by German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and IOMC Chair Hilda Van der Veen from UNDP. A keynote address by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen will discuss unlocking finance and investment for zero-pollution business models.

The forum will feature two thematic sessions: the first will explore public sector finance and policy tools, including Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, aimed at mobilizing private investment in chemicals management, particularly in developing countries. The second session will address how the private and financial sectors, including banks and insurers, can better integrate chemicals-related risks into their investment decisions. The event will conclude with reflections on the implications for the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC IC1), featuring insights from the GFC Secretariat and the IC1 presidency from Pakistan.

For more details, you can view the draft agenda here.