COP decisions on PCB

1. Endorses the proposal by the Secretariat for the establishment of a polychlorinated biphenyls elimination network, as described in the annex to the note by the secretariat on the initiation of a cooperative framework to support Parties in their efforts to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls through environmentally sound management and disposal, and urges Parties to become members of the partnership;

1. Notes the development of an interactive electronic training tool by the Secretariat and the work being undertaken regionally to support Parties in implementing environmentally sound management of persistent organic pollutant wastes and polychlorinated biphenyls;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the Secretariat’s report on progress in establishing the polychlorinated biphenyls elimination network;
2. Welcomes the publication of the first issue of the network magazine and the establishment of awards by the network;
3. Takes note of the information relevant to polychlorinated biphenyls in the reports provided by parties pursuant to paragraph (g) of part II of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recalls decision SC-5/7, by which the Conference of the Parties decided to undertake, at its seventh meeting, a review of progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls in accordance with paragraph (h) of part II of Annex A to the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of:

(a) The information relevant to polychlorinated biphenyls from the reports provided by parties pursuant to Article 15 in accordance with paragraph (g) of part II of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to polychlorinated biphenyls,

1. Takes note of the consolidated assessment of efforts to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls developed by the Chemicals and Waste Branch of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the United Nations Environment Programme, in cooperation with the Secretariat and in consultation with the advisory committee of the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network, and the report on the activities of the Network7 prepared by the Chemicals and Waste Branch;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Expresses its appreciation to the lead country, Colombia, and the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls established in decision SC-8/3 for their work pertaining to the review of progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls and takes note of the report on progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls and the recommendations of the small intersessional working group;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Expresses its appreciation to the lead country, Colombia, and to the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls for their work, and requests the small intersessional working group and the Secretariat to continue to undertake the activities referred to in paragraphs 6 and 9 of decision SC-9/3;

The Conference of the Parties

I Technical assistance

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to technical assistance,

1. Takes note of the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2022–2025 in the biennium 20222023, including capacity-building activities for the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and of the database summarizing technical assistance needs;