The Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. POPs circulate globally and can cause damage wherever they travel. They have toxic properties, resist degradation, bioaccumulate and are transported, through air, water and migratory species, across international boundaries and deposited far from their place of release, where they accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was adopted in 2001 in response to the urgent need for global action to protect human health and the environment from POPs. Due to Egypt concern of protection of public health and the environment, it banned importation and usage of all chemicals, which have been included in the convention since 1996, which had the most affection for Egypt to sign the convention by the date of (17/5/2002) and its ratification by the date of (2/5/2003), moreover the convention entered into force on (17/5/2004).

Aware of the health concerns, especially in developing countries, resulting from local exposure to persistent organic pollutants, the particular impacts upon women and, through them, upon future generations, the first step toward implementation is the development of national action plans. Funding for their development is available through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to assist governments in their efforts to ratify and implement the convention.

PROJECT NAME: ENABLING ACTIVITIES TO FACILITATE EARLY ACTION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTANT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS.
PROJECT NUMBER: (GEF/EGY/02/022).

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The objective of the project is to develop and formulate a National Implementation Plan (NIP) and thereby strengthen national capacity and enhance knowledge and understanding amongst decision makers, managers, the industry, agriculture and the public at large on POPs. By achieving this objective Egypt will be prepared and able to meet its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

IMPLEMENTATION STEPS

Step 1: Determining the coordinating mechanism and the organizing process.

Step 2: Establishing the POPs inventory and assessing national infrastructure and capacity.

Step 3: Priority setting and determining the objectives.

Step 4: Formulating a National Implementation Plan (NIP), and specific action plans on POPs.

Step 5: Endorsement of National Implementation Plan (NIP) by stakeholders.

OUTPUTS OF NIP

1. The preliminary assessment of the stockpiles of POPs and waste products contaminated with POPs, and how we can make a safety handling for it, including opportunities for disposal.
2. Build capacities to report Conference Of Parties (COP).
3. Build capacities to identify sites contaminated by POPs.
4. Build capacities to assess of continuation of specific exemptions and preparation of their reporting/ extension.

PROJECT DURATION

The duration is two years from 1/7/2003 to 30/6/2005.
The National Implementation Plan (NIP) must be transmitted to Conference Of Parties (COP) within two years of the date on which this convention enters into force.

STAKEHOLDERS: WHO AND WHY?

It has been necessary to involve all the concerned parties that will cooperate during the National Implementation Plan (NIP) required by Stockholm convention for POPs. They are as follows:

1. Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs.
2. Ministry of Agriculture.
3. Ministry of Foreign Trade.
4. Ministry of Industry and Technological Development.
5. Ministry of Health and Population.
6. Ministry of Planning.
7. Ministry of Finance.