From February 5th to 7th, 2024, the historic city of Telavi, Georgia, hosted a second national training workshop on the Lifecycle of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, with a focus on fluorinated compounds and newly listed industrial chemicals Under the Stockholm Convention, Over 30 local stakeholders ranging from decision makers, industry representatives and waste management experts gathered to deepen their understanding of these hazardous chemicals and refine strategies to eliminate them in line with the Stockholm Convention. The event marked a critical milestone in Georgia’s ongoing efforts to update its National Implementation Plan (NIP), a blueprint for safeguarding public health and ecosystems from the enduring threats of POPs.
Across three days of intensive capacity building exercise, participants explored the complex lifecycle of POPs. Experts shed light on how these substances have been historically used and, in some cases, still linger in sectors like firefighting, semiconductor manufacturing, and metal plating. Through interactive sessions, attendees grappled with the legal intricacies of the Stockholm Convention, including exemptions and Georgia’s evolving regulatory landscape, while also sharing insights on tracking POPs from production and import to disposal and contaminated site remediation.
A central theme emerged: the need for a unified, lifecycle approach to sound management of Newly Listed POPs in Georgia. Participants delved into methodologies for building comprehensive inventories, emphasizing the importance of tracing these chemicals through every stage-from manufacturing and consumer goods to waste streams and forgotten stockpiles. Practical tools, such as sector-specific questionnaires, were introduced to help stakeholders map POPs’ hidden pathways in industries like plastics, leather, and electronics. The training also highlighted Georgia’s progress since its last NIP, with discussions underscoring gaps in data collection and the urgency of strengthening cross-sector cooperation to fill them.
By the workshop’s close, a clear roadmap had taken shape. Participants left equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with a renewed sense of shared responsibility. Key outcomes included plans to finalize POPs’ inventories through stakeholder consultations, integrate findings into a revised NIP, and prioritize actions such as legislative reforms and targeted efforts to reduce contamination. This includes minimizing contamination risks and promoting environmentally and economically viable alternatives to newly listed industrial POPs, fostering a more sustainable and responsible approach to chemical management.
“This training is a turning point. By empowering local stakeholders with practical tools and knowledge, we’re laying the groundwork for a future where Georgia leads in sustainable chemical management.” – remarked Mr. Alverd Chankseliani, head of the Waste and Chemicals Management Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
The Project “Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is implemented by RECETOX (Convention Regional Centre, Masaryk University, Czech Republic) and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus), with support from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA).
