Conference theme:

“Integrating Mercury Research and Policy in a Changing World”

The 13th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) held in Providence, Rhode Island July 16 – 21, 2017, turned out to be an impressive gathering of natural and social scientists, environmental managers and policy-makers, students and post-docs. It was a very large and diverse meeting with over 1000 participants from more than 50 countries.

It was clear from the meeting turn out that mercury science, management, and policy are being actively pursued and great strides are being made. We are grateful that so many came to share their knowledge and continue to have stimulating discussions to push forward the field of mercury science. Following the 13th ICMGP, the Minamata Convention was ratified on August 16th and the 1st Conference of Parties (COP1) of the Convention was held in September. The synthesis papers featured in the 13th ICMGP plenary sessions were summarized and provided to delegates at the COP1. It continues to be evident that the global cycling of mercury is complex and will change with the control of mercury sources and the impacts of human alterations of the environment. Moreover, its effective control in the environment will continue to require scientific study, innovative management strategies, and the cooperation among all nations.

The mercury science community will continue to promote better understanding and effective management of mercury releases and emissions to decrease human and wildlife exposure. To that end, we will gather in Krakow, Poland in 2019 for the 14th ICMGP and in 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa for the 15th ICMGP.

We thank you all for your participation and support of Mercury 2017. Please enjoy the photos from our week together below and be sure to review the final conference proceedings in our abstract volume and synthesis papers – all important products of ICMGP2017.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2019!

Sincerely,
Charles Driscoll, Syracuse University
Celia Chen, Dartmouth College
ICMGP2017 Co-Chairs