National Implementation Plans and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

What you will learn This course provides an introduction to the process of preparing, reviewing and updating NIPs. The course aims to, among others, strengthen the capacity of Parties to implement and enforce relevant provisions and obligations under Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention with respect to: Preparing, reviewing and updating their NIPs and transmitting them to the COP in a timely manner; Undertaking POPs inventories through consultations with relevant stakeholders; and Integrating their NIPs into sustainable development strategies. The course enhances knowledge and understanding of the Stockholm Convention, in particular with respect to POPs inventories, and helps learners identify and use available guidance, tools and technical assistance. With such knowledge and tools, learners are better equipped to undertake the preparation, review and updating of NIPs, thereby better protecting human health and the environment. Target audience The primary target audiences of this course are: Official Contact Points and National Focal Points of Parties for the Stockholm Convention; Members of national steering committees or coordinating bodies for developing and updating NIPs (coordination units) and their different task teams; and Stakeholders, from government, the private sector, civil society and the general public, participating in any of the phases of NIPs preparation, review and updating. The course is suited for learners irrespective of their level of pre-existing knowledge of the Stockholm Convention. It is focused on the NIPs process, and it not intended to provide a comprehensive overview of all the provisions of the Convention. Learning Objectives After completing the course, learners will be able to: Describe the important contribution of NIPs towards meeting obligations of the Stockholm Convention (Lesson 1) Explain steps required to prepare, review and update NIPs (Lesson 2) Identify the challenges in the process of undertaking POPs inventories (Lesson 3) Describe how POPs inventories are used in planning exercises (Lesson 4) Discuss strategies to strengthen NIPs (Lesson 5) Explain the importance of putting in place the means of regularly reviewing and updating NIPs (Lesson 6)