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Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) constitute a relatively small group of pesticides that, among all pesticides, have disproportionately negative impacts on human and environmental health, largely due to their high toxicity. HHPs have been linked to severe acute and chronic poisoning, particularly in Lower and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

In response to global recognition of the harms caused by HHPs, a number of binding and non-binding international agreements have set targets to dramatically reduce the risks from HHPs, including phasing-out HHP products where possible and upscaling alternatives to these harmful chemicals.

In December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF [decision 15/4]), adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), included a target to reduce pollution risks and the negative impacts of pollution from all sources by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, considering cumulative effects, including: …… (b) by reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half, including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking into account food security and livelihoods.

In September 2023, the Fifth International Conference of Chemicals Management (ICCM5) adopted the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) – for a Planet Free of Harm form Chemicals and Waste. The GCF included a target that by 2035, stakeholders have taken effective measures to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and where safer and affordable alternatives are available, and to promote transition to and make available those alternatives. The GCF further included Resolution V11 (Highly Hazardous Pesticides) endorsing the formation of a Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides to support achieving the target on HHPs as a voluntary multi-stakeholder initiative with FAO taking a leading role.

More recently (March 2024), the Sixth United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEP-6), adopted Resolution UNEP/EA.6/L.14 (Highly Hazardous Pesticides) encouraged Member States and all other relevant stakeholders to become members of the …. Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous pesticides established under the GFC.

FAO supports these initiatives through information sharing, stakeholder engagement and coordination, and attention to HHP risk reduction as a key aspect of all field programmes.