The UNDP-GEF POPs Resource Kit - International POPs Elimination ...

eliminate POPs and the problems they cause. Many in developing countries welcomed the
Stockholm Convention as a vehicle that helps raise awareness at home, and that helps
mobilize the resources needed to take meaningful action to manage and eliminate harmful
chemical pollutants.
During negotiations on the treaty, developing countries and countries in transition
sought provisions that not only address global concerns, but also ones that address domestic
needs and concerns. This was largely successful. The Stockholm Convention Preamble
mentions local exposures to POPs as an important health concern of developing countries.
This precedes any reference in the treaty to long-range transport.
The Convention explicitly acknowledges, at the insistence of many developing
country governments, that: “sustainable economic and social development and eradication of
poverty are the first and overriding priorities of the developing country Parties.”
Governments indicated support for Convention objectives and measures, but many also
clearly indicated they have limited resources and they have other, higher priorities. These
governments did not wish to sacrifice resources dedicated to their higher priority interests in
order to meet Stockholm Convention objectives. To reflect this concern, the Convention
states:
“The developed country Parties shall provide new and additional financial
resources to enable developing country Parties and Parties with economies in
transition to meet the agreed full incremental costs of implementing measures
which fulfill their obligations under this Convention …”
The Stockholm Convention links effective implementation of Convention
commitments on the part of developing country Parties to the performance of donor
governments in meeting their Convention commitments to provide financial resources,
technical assistance and technology transfer. This provides a framework for mobilizing
assistance and for building awareness. Many who work in Health Ministries, Environment
Ministries, Agriculture Ministries, and others, and who have responsibilities for government
activities to protect public health and the environment from toxic chemical pollutants
welcome the Convention and the opportunities it can help provide.
E. POPs Sources and Convention Provisions
Of the initial twelve POPs covered under the Stockholm Convention some have been
used as pesticides, some as industrial chemicals and some arise as unwanted byproducts of
chemical and combustion processes.
These different categories overlap. For example, Mirex, which was produced
primarily for use as a pesticide has also been used as a fire retardant; PCBs, which were
produced as industrial chemicals in large quantities, are also generated as unwanted
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