1. POPs – UNEP and the GEF Jim Willis, Director UNEP Chemicals

2. Over 140 countries participate in UNEP GEF Project Activities Project Jurisdiction# of Activities Single country103 Regional 78 Multi-country 20 Global 31 Total232

3. Regionally-based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances Development of NIPs for POPs: 12-country pilot project Support for Implementation of the Stockholm Convention (Medium size project) Persistent toxic substances, food security, and Indigenous Peoples in Arctic Russia (Medium size project) Demonstration of alternatives to DDT in Mexico and Central America (PDF-B) Reducing pesticides runoff to the Caribbean Sea (Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua) (PDF-B) UNEP/GEF POPs and PTS Projects (1)

4. UNEP/GEF POPs and PTS Projects (2) Reduction of exposure to DDT and strengthening of malaria control - Executed by WHO/AFRO and Ministries of Health in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland (PDF-B) Support to local communities for the reduction of pesticides use in the Niger and Senegal River basins through Integrated Pest and Production Management - Executed by FAO/Global IPM Facility in Benin, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal (PDF-B)

5. Some Considerations The NIP is your plan for implementing the convention; make sure that the plan is designed to meet your needs. Different approaches in developing the plan: –Large external consultant component –Country-driven EAs get a flat fee of ~$50,000 not included in the project budget. Budgets are country-specific; $500,000 is not automatic. Different EAs have different strengths and weaknesses. Compare offers of assistance carefully. Partnerships are possible, but should be specified in your proposal.

6. Why Consider UNEP? (1) UNEP is the secretariat of the Stockholm Convention and is designated by the Convention to assist parties. With UNEP supporting its NIP, the entire amount of GEF funding goes to that country. UNEP has more than $6 million USD, in addition to what is available through the GEF, for projects and workshops in countries that develop their implementation plans with UNEP’s support.

7. Why Consider UNEP? (2) UNEP has extensive experience in all of the twelve POPs listed in the Stockholm Convention; an active POPs programme since 1995. Governments selected UNEP to convene and support the negotiations of the Convention on the basis of its policy and technical competence on POPs. UNEP seconded a staff member to write the “Initial guidelines for enabling activities for the POPs Convention” and is the agency most familiar with its requirements.

8. Why Consider UNEP? (3) UNEP is preparing the detailed guidelines for developing NIPs. UNEP is preparing a CD with all POPs relevant documentation to support NIPs preparation UNEP has developed all of the currently available UN guidelines and guidance materials specific to POPs. UNEP has 40 staff members ready to provide immediate assistance to countries on NIPs. UNEP has financed and provided technical support for over 60 national projects in developing countries and countries with economies in transition on the major issues addressed by the Stockholm Convention.

9. Why Consider UNEP? (4) Since 1995, UNEP has held over 100 regional, sub- regional and national workshops addressing POPs and the priority issues that are reflected in the Stockholm Convention. UNEP implements 20-30 regional and sub-regional workshops each year on the Stockholm Convention. These address the key issues of implementation, including PCB and dioxin/furan inventories and action plans, and selecting alternatives to POPs pesticides. Where possible, these will be held in countries selecting UNEP to support their NIP in order to strengthen the plan development process and to build synergies.

10. Why Consider UNEP? (5) UNEP has extensive experience in implementing GEF projects. UNEP is a founding member of the GEF, and has been an Implementing Agency since the GEF’s inception in 1991. UNEP was the first agency with POPs projects approved by the GEF. UNEP’s underlying interest is to ensure that each country has the ability to fulfil its obligations under the Stockholm Convention and thereby to protect health and the environment from POPs. UNEP’s approach is designed to ensure that projects are country-driven, country-led and country-implemented.

11. Follow-up UNEP would be pleased to arrange follow- up consultations with countries to: –Provide in depth briefings on the Convention and its requirements –Develop proposals for NIPs for GEF funding –Design other needed actions (e.g., workshops or projects) for chemical safety Can take place at UNEP or in your country