January 2026

The Arab Network for Emerging Environmental Pollutants (EPN) has formally joined the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), marking a major step in integrating Arab scientific and policy efforts into global chemical safety governance.

IPEN is a globally recognized coalition comprising more than 660 civil society and scientific organizations operating in over 120 countries. The network plays a central role in advancing international agreements on hazardous chemicals and wastes, including the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and global initiatives addressing toxic plastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

EPN’s accession follows its endorsement of multiple international environmental declarations and its alignment with IPEN’s Code of Conduct on sound chemicals management. Through this membership, EPN becomes an active participant in IPEN’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional structure, allowing Arab experts to contribute directly to international policy dialogues, technical working groups, and global advocacy campaigns.

Environmental experts describe this development as a strategic turning point for the region, strengthening the Arab voice in global negotiations on chemical safety while enabling better access to technical expertise, capacity-building programs, and international funding mechanisms. The move is expected to improve regional coordination, accelerate regulatory reform, and support evidence-based environmental and public health policies across Arab countries.