Successful Launch of POPs Inventory Training Program

Successful Launch of POPs Inventory Training Program

The Stockholm Convention mandates its Parties to periodically review and update their National Implementation Plans (NIPs) whenever new chemicals are added to Annexes A, B, or C. This ensures that national strategies align with the latest obligations under the Convention. The inclusion of new Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), many of which are widely used in industrial processes and embedded in various products, necessitates comprehensive inventories and strategic action plans. To support this process, guidance documents have been developed to help Parties identify, monitor, and manage these chemicals, select best available techniques, and explore sustainable alternatives.

In this context, a workshop was held in Kvareli, Kakheti Region, Georgia, from December 25 to 27, 2024, as part of the Global NIP Update project. The initiative aims to enhance the implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Central and Eastern Europe, including Georgia.

The workshop brought together representatives from various Georgian institutions, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, the Revenue Service under the Ministry of Finance, and the Regional Environmental Supervision Department. Facilitated by the project’s implementing team from REC Caucasus, the event served as a collaborative platform to align national priorities with international obligations.

The workshop aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of their obligations under Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention, particularly in the context of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) listed between 2009 and 2023. It sought to enhance their ability to effectively utilize guidance documents and training tools to update their National Implementation Plans (NIPs).

A key focus was on building capacity among Parties to develop robust strategies and action plans for eliminating newly listed POPs, ensuring they meet their obligations to submit updated NIPs to the Conference of the Parties (COP). The workshop also served as a platform to promote collaboration and networking among various partners and agencies, fostering stronger support systems for implementing the Convention’s requirements.

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).

 

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