5 May 2015: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) released a publication on chemicals and waste management for sustainable development, which details results and best practices in countries that UNDP supports to reduce and eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including China, Georgia, Honduras, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Nigeria and Viet Nam, as well as a regional project in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The brochure, titled ‘Chemicals and Waste Management for Sustainable Development,’ was highlighted during the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP 7), convening in conjunction with the 12th meeting of the COP to the Basel Convention (BC COP 12) and the seventh meeting of the COP to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP 7) – collectively known as the “Triple COP” – from 4-15 May 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The publication summarizes the impact of UNDP-supported activities to implement the Stockholm Convention on POPs, highlights linkages with the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and suggests a way forward.

UNDP notes its efforts to help countries meet the Stockholm Convention’s objectives with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partners. It announces that 300,000 people have been trained globally on POPs management, and 65 national regulations on safe management of POPS have been adopted with UNDP support, which have led to 220,000 people reducing their high-risk exposure to POPs. As of May 2015, UNDP is assisting 84 countries in implementing POPs-related projects, totaling US$156 million in GEF grants and US$392 million in co-financing. As a result of this, 9,500 tonnes of POPs have been safely disposed of, and 335,000 tonnes of contaminated wastes have been safeguarded.

UNDP also drew attention to a month-long campaign to raise public awareness on the dangers of POPs, which will be launched at a side event on 8 May. [UNDP Press Release] [Publication: Chemicals and Waste Management for Sustainable Development] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [IISD RS Story on Opening of Triple COP]