The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC), together with the RECETOX with the support from the Global Environmental Facility, has initiated Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Persistent organic pollutants are toxic chemicals that resist degradation and persist in the environment for extended periods. Some POPs persist in the environment for several decades, with some estimates suggesting up to 50-100 years or even longer in certain cases. These pollutants accumulate in food chains, posing significant risks to human health, ecosystems and their inhabitants. Exposure to POPs has been associated with various adverse health effects, including reproductive disorders, neurological damage, and cancer. Recognizing the urgent need for action, international agreements such as the Stockholm Convention have been established to regulate and restrict the production and use of POPs. Under this convention, each party shall develop a National Implementation Plan describing the necessary measures to manage, the presence and use, of POPs, with the potential for adverse impacts on human health or the environment
On October 4th, 2006, Georgia became a member party to the Stockholm Convention. As a result, the country is obligated to develop and maintain an up-to-date National Implementation Plan addressing chemicals labeled as persistent organic pollutants. The list of chemicals falling under this category continues to expand as the world advances and gains insight into the effects of certain compounds previously believed to be harmless.
Since the initial development of the National Implementation Plan in Georgia, multiple chemicals have been identified as possessing harmful effects with long-term exposure. Therefore, Georgia must keep its plan up-to-date to effectively protect its population from the detrimental consequences of accessibility to such chemicals.
The project “Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” aims to review and update the National Implementation Plan on POPs. To kickstart the project, RECETOX and RECC, as the implementing partners, initiated an inception workshop with key government stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economics and Sustainable Development, National Parliament , National Centre for Disease Control, among others.
The inception workshop yielded positive outcomes. With the attendance of Ms. Katerina Sebkova, Head of the National Centre for Toxic Compounds and of the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in the Czech Republic, government representatives were acquainted with the update process of the National Implementation Plan. Participants convened at the inception workshop to enhance their understanding of the National Implementation Plan’s structure and its interconnectedness with national reporting mechanisms. The workshop aimed to delve into the intricacies of the NIP chapters and the requisite information to be incorporated within them. Additionally, participants evaluated the effectiveness of current NIP implementation processes, identifying persistent gaps and barriers hindering progress. Furthermore, the workshop culminated in the endorsement of a comprehensive work plan, establishment of institutional arrangements, and clear allocation of responsibilities among relevant entities, emphasizing the importance of collecting additional baseline data for informed decision-making.
“The update of the National Implementation Plan is central to Georgia’s advancement toward a more sustainable future and reflects the integral role of the RECETOX team. Utilizing appropriate tools and manuals, we’re committed to ensuring the cycle of inventory updates and assisting RECC with plan updates. Regularly updating the NIP remains crucial for sustainability.” – Ms. Katerina Sebkova, Head of the National Centre for Toxic Compounds and of the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in the Czech Republic.
“National Implementation Plan holds critical significance for Georgia, especially now as we hold EU candidacy status. Its implementation not only aligns us with international standards but also underscores our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship on the path to EU integration.” – Mr. Alverd Chankseliani, Head of Waste and Chemicals Management Department.
The project “Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” will endure, with ongoing developments, and an updated NIP will be available by the end of this year.
