Seminar on the environmentally sound management of banks of ozone-depleting substances

1. Seminar on the environmentally sound management of banks of ozone-depleting substances Agenda item 4(d) Experience of leveraging funds under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) to detail the scope and location of stocks of ozone depleting substances available for destruction IDENTIFYING AND MOBILIZING FUNDS – CASE STUDY – MACEDONIA Marin Kocov National Ozone Unit Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning Republic of Macedonia Geneva, 14 June 2010

2. Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention and SAICM Linkages between different global initiatives towards Sound Management of Chemicals

3. Montreal Protocol

4. Stockholm Convention The management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) started in 2002 with implementation of the GEF project "Enabling activities to facilitate early action on the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs“ – GEF grant US$ 497.000. The main objective of the project was the preparation of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) on the reduction and elimination of POPs. The NIP was prepared by the POPs Unit under the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning with multi-stakeholders participation and adopted by the Macedonian Government in the beginning of 2005. The experience gained from the Montreal Protocol was crucial for expeditiously prepared NIP. This was made possible thanks to the National Ozone Unit funded from the MLF serving as a model throughout all other post NIP activities including the SAICM.

5. Post NIP Activities

6. Macedonian Experience with chemicals and the related Global Initiatives Respectable number of projects linked with different groups of hazardous chemicals (ODSs, POPs) were implemented in the country Excellent cooperation was established with all relevant stakeholders involved in all phases of chemical management Despite all previous activities, Macedonia has not yet finalized the formulation of a National Chemical Profile Therefore, the development and formulation of its National Chemical Profile has been included as one of the objectives and proposed activities in the project “Development and Mainstreaming of a National Plan on SAICM Implementation for the Republic of Macedonia”.

7. Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. SAICM has as its overall objective the achievement of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that, by 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment. This “2020 goal” was adopted by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 as part of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. SAICM comprises the Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management, expressing high-level political commitment to SAICM, and an Overarching Policy Strategy which sets out its scope, needs, objectives, financial considerations underlying principles and approaches and implementation and review arrangements. The Declaration and Strategy are accompanied by a Global Plan of Action that serves as a working tool and guidance document to support implementation of SAICM and other relevant international instruments and initiatives.

8. Global Plan of Action Recommended for use and further development in 36 work areas and 273 activities structured in accordance with the 5 categories of SAICM objectives: Measures to support risk reduction Strengthening knowledge and information Governance: strengthening of institutions, law and policy Addressing illegal international traffic Improved general practices It is anticipated that Governments and other stakeholders will adopt flexible programmes to build and sustain adequate and comprehensive capabilities for the sound management of chemicals consistent with national circumstances and the Strategic Approach objectives.

9. SAICM’s Financial Mechanism - QSP TF Quick Start Programme - Trust Fund Time-limited trust fund was officially established by UNEP on 1 December 2006 and will be open to receive contributions until 30 November 2011. Since 2006, the QSP trust fund has received contributions for a total of $23,574,000 from 23 donors. Developing countries and countries with economies in transition are eligible for support from the Trust Fund. Priority to Least Developed Countries and Small Island States

10. Applications Applications to the QSP trust fund can be submitted twice a year. The ninth round of applications will close on 27 August 2010. The application guidelines can be found on http://www.saicm.org SAICM secretariatFax: +41 22 797 34 60E- mail: saicm@unep.org Proposals may be presented by SAICM participating Governments that have given appropriate formal recognition to SAICM, at a minimum by having designated an official SAICM national focal point.

11. “Development and Mainstreaming of a National Plan on SAICM Implementation for the Republic of Macedonia”. Approved by the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund in October 2006, among the first three countries that applied for funds in the first round. QSP TF funding 248.400 US$ Government contribution 62.400 US$ TOTAL 310.800 US$ The Project Document was signed between the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and UNDP as an Implementing Agency in April 2008. The Project Management Unit was established in August 2008, as a continuation of the activities for implementation of the projects related to ODSs, POPs and other chemicals. Now the whole process is much faster, theoretically 8 weeks

12. The highest priorities identified in the SAICM Project in compliance with the Global Plan of Action • Establishment of legal, policy and institutional basis for Sound Management of Chemicals • Waste and obsolete chemicals management • Remediation of contaminated sites • Human health protection • Sound Agricultural Practice in order to reduce and prevent further pollution of soils, air and water. • Civil society and non-governmental organization (NGO) participation • Stakeholders participation • Research and monitoring • Education and Training

13. WASTE Funds (30.000 US$) for collection and storage of the unwanted ODSs were made available from the Government.

14. Chemicals issue: the past and the current situation • Term chemicals previously was not recognized in National legislation and policy planning documents • It was introduced for the first time in the Law on Chemicals adopted in 2007 • Chemicals in the planning documents were addressed only through different sectors • Lack of existing data related to chemicals, regular monitoring system, particularly in the health sector, such as human exposure and the chemicals impact on human health and the environment. • SAICM project helped to address all chemicals together • SAICM, Stockholm Convention, Montreal Protocol are under one umbrella at the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning

15. Lack of Capacities Is it a challenge or advantage for small countries? Focal point for Montreal Protocol Official contact point for the Stockholm Convention Focal point for SAICM

16. Mobilized funds- Summary

17. CONCLUSION Mobilized funds Government – satisfactorily - according the possibilities MLF – excellent opportunity Bilateral – very good opportunity in case of Macedonia GEF – Good opportunity but Co-funding is a big challenge SAICM - despite the limited funds it is an excellent tool to merge Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Stockholm, Rotterdam, Basel, Montreal) under one umbrella.