The Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, and have harmful impacts on human health and environment. Under Article 7 of the SC, Parties are required to prepare a National Implementation Plans (NIPs) explaining how they are going to implement the obligations under the Convention and make efforts to put such a plan into operation.
To support this process, the GEF Project ID 10875, titled “Global Development, Review and Update of National Implementation Plans (NIPs) under the Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” (Global NIP Update Project), aims to strengthen capacities of participating countries in developing and updating their NIPs and reduce reliance on external expertise and resources. While UNEP Knowledge and Risk Unit leads the development of the necessary knowledge under Components 1 and 2, the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) executes Component 4, focusing on knowledge management and information sharing to enhance the NIP development, update, and implementation processes.
On June 5, 2024, the GGKP hosted a virtual roundtable to facilitate collaboration and information exchange among the six regional executing agencies involved in the project. These agencies play a critical role in implementing Component 3, which supports countries in developing and updating their NIPs. During the roundtable, the regional agencies shared insights on the challenges their region faces, such as data collection, communication, and resource limitations, as well as the successful strategies they've adopted to assist countries in advancing their NIP processes.
The Landscape of Challenges
The discussion highlights a variety of challenges, each unique to its geographical and political context, underscoring the complex landscape of environmental governance on a global scale.
For the Africa Institute countries, substantial bureaucratic impediments have delayed the initiation and progression of projects. The sluggish pace of governmental processes often affected the timely execution of agreements and the establishment of project accounts. Moreover, scientific issues such as NIPs frequently lacked priority among policymakers, leading to inadequate attention and resource allocation. The combination of limited engagement from implementing committees and financial constraints further exacerbated these challenges, resulting in delays and inefficient executions.
Meanwhile, significant hurdles in data management were reported in the region of BCCC-SCRC Uruguay, with an absence of consolidated databases forcing reliance on scattered physical files or incomplete digital records. The difficulty in engaging stakeholders, particularly from the private sector, impeded data collection and active participation in necessary meetings, presenting substantial barriers to progress.
For Caribbean countries, communication difficulties varied widely across the countries have affected data collection and stakeholder engagement. Challenges such as limited human resources, insufficient technical support, and inadequate political will and inter-agency collaboration occasionally halted progress.
Effective Practices and Strategies
Despite these challenges, the regional agencies have developed effective strategies and best practices over time.
From BCCC-SCRC Uruguay, the introduction of specialized training courses on PBDE and HBCD was highlighted as a significant advancement, enhancing the capacity for interpreting POPs monitoring data. Efforts to establish national coordinating mechanisms and strengthen focal points were also noted, which improved stakeholder involvement and ensured more systematic engagement.
The BCRC Caribbean tackled the challenge of diverse regional needs by implementing a proactive and multifaceted communication strategy. This approach included regular, structured updates through various channels such as direct meetings, digital platforms, and distributed briefings. Such ongoing communication ensured that all parties were consistently informed and engaged, fostering a collaborative environment and enabling swift responses to any arising issues. Recognizing the distinct challenges posed by different locales, the BCRC Caribbean employed adaptive data collection techniques tailored to each country's specific context. This included leveraging both traditional methods such as surveys and innovative approaches like national focus groups and one-on-one stakeholder meetings.
This round table underscores the need for enhanced collaboration and resource allocation to address the myriad challenges highlighted during the discussions. The commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation will be crucial as they work towards fulfilling their obligations under the Stockholm Convention. This information sharing activities not only facilitate a robust exchange of ideas but also set the stage for future collaborative efforts, promising a more streamlined and effective approach to environmental management and protection strategies worldwide.
To learn more about the Global NIP Update project, visit Global NIP Update | Green Policy Platform
For a deeper dive into this round table, you can access the full recordings and materials here - Global NIP Update Round Table “Developing and Updating National Implementation Plans. Challenges and Good Practices” | Green Policy Platform
Authors:
 |
Ms. Thandeka Mbatha, Project Coordinator, Africa Institute |
 |
Mr. Vincentius Mughongora, Assistant Project Coordinator, Africa Institute |
 |
Ms. Gabriela Medina, Director, BCCC-SCRC Uruguay |
 |
Ms. Maurissa Charles, Project Coordinator, BCRC Caribbean |
 |
Ms. Soomin Bae, Knowledge Management and Research Support Intern, GGKP |
