? Kicking off the NIP Dialogue Series: Voices from the Countries

We’re excited to launch the series with a powerful first story from India—the world’s last remaining manufacturer of DDT. In this opening piece, we explore how the country is charting a bold and strategic path away from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), while maintaining strong public health outcomes.

Through innovation, regulatory leadership, inclusive community engagement, and public-private collaboration, India offers a compelling example of how POPs can be phased out in practice—not just in policy.

✨ This series will continue to spotlight real-world experiences from countries actively working to develop, review, and update their National Implementation Plans (NIPs) under the Stockholm Convention—bringing country voices, lessons learned, and practical solutions to the forefront.

? Read the full blog here – and stay tuned for more stories from the ground!

When developing and updating National Implementation Plans (NIPs) under the Stockholm Convention, countries focus on a wide range of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and their sources. However, when considering the gender dimension in NIP implementation, it is important to recognize that exposure pathways differ between men and women. While men are often more exposed to POPs in occupational settings, such as industrial work, agriculture, or waste management, women are also at high risk—particularly through cosmetics and personal care products that may contain harmful chemicals like PFASs, parabens, and UV stabilizers. These exposures, though less visible, are just as significant and should be integrated into awareness-raising efforts, risk assessments, and policy actions within NIPs. By incorporating a gender-responsive approach, countries can ensure that chemical safety strategies address all exposure risks and protect the health of both men and women effectively.

As you are working diligently on your NIPs, please do not forget to revisit UNEP guidance on Incorporating Gender Dimensions into National Strategy Setting in Chemicals Management

In a landmark initiative to strengthen global environmental governance, the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention in collaboration with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) successfully conducted a three-day technical workshop from November 26-28, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Collaborating closely with the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), the event brought additional countries in the African region, as a part of the GEF-funded project (ID 10785), titled “Global Development, Review, and Update of National Implementation Plans (NIPs) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).”

The workshop brought together over 40 experts from Africa and beyond, tackling the challenges of newly listed industrial POPs. With a strong focus on building capacity and enhancing understanding of Article 7 of the Convention, participants delved into sectoral inventories for POPs in the electrical, transport, and construction sectors considering regional specifics. The sessions featured case studies with regional context, practical exercises, and discussions on harmonized reporting tools and sustainable management practices.

The event not only provided invaluable training but also facilitated networking among national officials, regional experts, and international agencies, fostering a collaborative approach to environmental management and public health.

For further details on the workshop's outcomes and upcoming initiatives, please visit the Stockholm Convention Secretariat's website.