All activities

Focus on Regional Centres switches to Africa

The second feature in our series on regional implementation highlights the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

Focus on Regional Centres switches to Africa

Focus on Regional Centres switches to Africa

The Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Kenya (SCRC-Kenya) is hosted by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in Nairobi. 

The icipe, founded in 1970, was nominated by the Africa region to serve as a Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in July 2010.Its primary objective is to research and develop alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management strategies that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistance inducing, and which are affordable to resource-limited rural and urban communities. The Centre was endorsed by COP5 in 2011 as a regional and sub-regional centre for capacity building and the transfer of technology for a period of four years. Further, in 2015 the COP7 evaluated the performance of SCRC-Kenya; took note of its excellent performance and endorsed it for another term of four years. The Centre provides assistance mainly to almost all the African countries but could also support countries in other continents having similar issues.

Being hosted in icipe, SCRC Kenya focuses at undertaking research and development for non-chemical alternatives to the use of hazardous pesticides including persistence organic pollutants (POPs) for management of pests and disease vectors. It also promotes capacity-building and transfer of technology to farmers and other stakeholders. Alternative technologies and conservation efforts contribute to reduction in the use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other hazardous chemicals in vector and pest control in Africa, and thus reduce their negative impacts. The activities of the SCRC-Kenya are particularly important because most of the POPs that are listed under the Stockholm Convention are pesticides.

A key solution to reducing the impact of hazardous synthetic pesticide substances is to shift to the use of non-chemical alternatives for control of pests and disease vectors. In Africa however, many countries face major barriers to the accomplishment of the shift to the use of non-chemical alternatives that include inadequate expertise, resources, relevant information, technology, and development assistance and policies.

SCRC-Kenya has a long tradition of collaboration, with over 100 partner institutions in Africa and elsewhere in the world that include National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), NGOs, universities, other international organizations. The Centre’s R&D work involves rural communities and  members, farmers and farmer groups, national extension service providers and community-based organizations. SCRC-Kenya has formulated innovative approaches through Public-Private Community Partnerships (PPCPs) to create better and more effective products, processes, services and technologies

SCRC-Kenya works in a holistic and integrated approach through a 4-H paradigm comprising “Human Health, Animal Health, Plant Health and Environmental Health”. Research and development has led to a number of effective alternatives that are contributing to reduction in the use of hazardous pesticides including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Africa. Some of the most successful initiatives taken by the centre that led to significant reduction in the use of chemical based pesticides include:

  • ‘Push–pull’ habitat management strategy
  • Biopesticides
  • Fruit-fly Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Diamondback moth biological control
  • Classical biological control against the spotted stemborer Chilo partellus
  • Tsetse repellent collars; traps for control of tsetse flies
  • Habitat management for mosquito control; solar-powered mosquito traps; plant-derived mosquito control products
  • Honeybees; African Reference Laboratory for Bee Health
  • Training of African scientists
  • Training of rural community members in Africa

For more information on these initiatives and other information relating to icipe SCRC-Kenya please visit the website: www.icipe.org and for more on other Regional Centres, see https://synergies.pops.int/Implementation/TechnicalAssistance/RegionalCentres/tabid/2636/language/en-US/Default.aspx

New DDT Toolkit on sound management now available

Visit the one-stop shop for resources on the life-cycle management of DDT, within the context of the chemicals and waste conventions and pulling together information from WHO, FAO and others.

New DDT Toolkit on sound management now available

New DDT Toolkit on sound management now available
 
Special Programme on Chemicals and Waste: Call for Proposals Open

Aiming to strengthen national institutions and to promote the mainstreaming of sound management of chemicals and wastes, the 1st Call for Proposals is open until 4 July 2016.

Special Programme on Chemicals and Waste: Call for Proposals Open

Special Programme on Chemicals and Waste: Call for Proposals Open
 
Preventing illegal trade in environmentally - sensitive commodities

Green Customs Initiative: the BRS Secretariat hosts the 11th meeting of the GCI Partners in Geneva, 14-15 April 2016.

Preventing illegal trade in environmentally - sensitive commodities

Preventing illegal trade in environmentally - sensitive commodities
 
Focus on China and the Pacific

Our latest interview is with Professor Dr. Jinhui Li, Executive Director of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions Regional Centre, Beijing China.

Focus on China and the Pacific

Focus on China and the Pacific
 
Report on 1st Meeting of Effectiveness Evaluation Committee now available

The Stockholm Convention Effectiveness Evaluation is well on track to assess global progress on ridding the world of POPs.

Report on 1st Meeting of Effectiveness Evaluation Committee now available

Report on 1st Meeting of Effectiveness Evaluation Committee now available
 
Call for information on brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs)

The Secretariat invites Parties to submit information for the evaluation and review of BDEs pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention.

Call for information on brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs)

Call for information on brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs)
 
New consultancy opportunities at BRS

Short-term consultants are sought for key Stockholm Convention assignments, deadline for applications 30 March.

New consultancy opportunities at BRS

New consultancy opportunities at BRS
 
Iraq accedes to the Stockholm Convention

The number of Parties to the Convention rises to 180, with Iraq’s accession, which enters into force for this new Party on 6 June 2016.

Iraq accedes to the Stockholm Convention

Iraq accedes to the Stockholm Convention

Iraq has acceded to the Stockholm Convention, depositing its instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 8 March 2016. The Convention will enter into force for Iraq on 6 June 2016, and this action increases the total number of Parties to 180. More information is available from the Status of Ratifications page.

First Effectiveness Evaluation Committee meeting reiterates request for 3rd National Reports

A letter will be sent to NFPs reiterating the COP-7 request for the submission of outstanding third national reports.

First Effectiveness Evaluation Committee meeting reiterates request for 3rd National Reports

First Effectiveness Evaluation Committee meeting reiterates request for 3rd National Reports

The first meeting of the EE Committee (February 16-18) requested its Chair and Vice-chair to send a letter to all national focal points of the Convention to reiterate the COP-7 request for the submission of outstanding third national reports, a key information basis for the successful completion of the Committee’s work.

Reports submitted by April 30th can still be taken into account in the Committee’s review of the effectiveness of the Convention. The Committee had a successful first meeting, reviewing a preliminary assessment document prepared by the secretariat, and noting the critical importance of additional sources of data before drawing conclusions and making recommendations on whether the Convention is achieving its objective.  The Committee also charted a path forward to its next meeting in October 2016 and COP-8. The report will be available on the website shortly.

Follow BRS on Twitter for the latest news

Join the ever-growing number of @brsmeas followers and keep up to date on the chemicals and wastes agenda.

Follow BRS on Twitter for the latest news

Follow BRS on Twitter for the latest news
 
18th February is the 4th Anniversary of the - joint - BRS Secretariat

BRS Deputy Executive Secretary, Kerstin Stendahl, outlines lessons learnt from 10 years of working on synergies.

18th February is the 4th Anniversary of the - joint - BRS Secretariat

18th February is the 4th Anniversary of the - joint - BRS Secretariat
 
Watch the latest BRS science video

New film shows how science underpins decision-making for the 3 BRS conventions.

Watch the latest BRS science video

Watch the latest BRS science video
 
Yemen submits its NIP

Yemen has transmitted its national implementation plan, pursuant to Article 7 of the Convention.

Yemen submits its NIP

Yemen submits its NIP
 
Cambodia submits updated NIP

Addressing amendments from COP4 and COP5, Cambodia has submitted its updated NIP.

Cambodia submits updated NIP

Cambodia submits updated NIP
 
Deadline looming for call for views on compliance

The President of the COP invites Parties to share their views on outstanding issues, by 15 April 2016.

Deadline looming for call for views on compliance

Deadline looming for call for views on compliance
 
Institutional strengthening for implementation of the BRS Conventions

The Executive Board of the UNEP Special Programme holds its first meeting on 2 to 3 February 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Institutional strengthening for implementation of the BRS Conventions

Institutional strengthening for implementation of the BRS Conventions
 
Seychelles submits its updated NIP

Seychelles has submitted its National Implementation Plan, addressing amendments from COP 4, COP 5, and COP 6.

Seychelles submits its updated NIP

Seychelles submits its updated NIP
 
Geneva Gender Parity Pledge

The Secretariat hands over the signed BRS Geneva Gender Parity Pledge to Mr. Michael Moller, UNOG Director General.

Geneva Gender Parity Pledge

Geneva Gender Parity Pledge

 

Final report of SC COP-7

The meeting report of COP-7 is now available in languages.

Final report of SC COP-7

Final report of SC COP-7

 

Page 20 of 23First   Previous   14  15  16  17  18  19  [20]  21  22  23  Next   Last