Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Maldives, on Thursday conducted an inception workshop for the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project on 'Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) through Sound Management of Chemicals'.
The workshop was launched by Minister of State for Environment Dr Abdulla Naseer, during which he emphasized on GEF's contributions to further the protection of the environment since the country became a GEF participant state in 1994.
The project, funded through grant support of USD 3,675,000 from GEF and USD 65,000 from UNDP, will provide an effective and environmentally sound system to manage POPs and other toxic chemicals through capacity strengthening and a national regulatory framework.
Minister of State for Environment Dr. Abdulla Naseer opened the inception workshop of the GEF6 ‘Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants through Sound Management of Chemicals’. #Environment pic.twitter.com/8wrEnlRsug
— Ministry of Environment (@MoEnvmv) November 5, 2020
According to the ministry, the project aims to eliminate the use and unintentional production of POPs, organic compounds known as “forever chemicals” that are resistant to environmental degradation and have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Under the project, the administration aims to dispose 24 tonnes of Poly-chlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) contaminated equipment. To do so, the government will transport the equipment to specialized facilities abroad.
Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed previously noted that a key step taken by the environment ministry is the development of an action plan to safely dispose of PCBs present in the country by 2025. The action plan includes raising public awareness on the issue, and the establishment of a standard chemical management system.
The agreement was signed by the minister and UNDP’s Resident Representative to Maldives Akiko Fujii, in a special ceremony held at the ministry earlier in February.
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