The first Conference of the Parties (COP-1) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) has taken place in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

In spite of a heavy agenda, delegates succeeded in adopting a broad range of decisions required to set the Convention’s implementation in motion.
Decisions adopted related to: providing for the evaluation of the continued need for DDT use for disease vector control; establishing a review process for entries in the register of specific exemptions; adopting guidance for the financial mechanism; establishing a schedule for reporting; establishing arrangements for monitoring data on POPs; adopting rules of procedure and financial rules; adopting the budget for the Secretariat; and establishing the POPs Review Committee. Other matters scheduled for discussion included: the format for the DDT Register and the Register of specific exemptions; the process for developing guidelines to assist Parties in preventing the formation and release of unintentionally produced POPs; and guidelines on best available techniques and best environmental practices.
The meeting, which was held from 2-6 May 2005, attracted over 650 participants representing more than 132 governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies. More information.