Fourth meeting of the DDT Expert Group assesses continued need for DDT, 3–5 December 2012, Geneva

The Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, in accordance with the World Health Organization recommendations and guidelines, allows the use of the insecticide DDT in disease vector control to protect public health.

The fourth meeting of the DDT Expert Group reviewed the latest information as part of this ongoing assessment of the continued need for DDT, including that provided by the Parties for the period of three years from 2009-2011.

A newly developed guidance on National Implementation Plan (NIP) development, review and update is now available. As per decision SC-5/14 parties are encouraged to provide the Secretariat with comments on how to improve the usefulness of the guidance. The deadline for sending comments is 31 January 2012.

The exhibition of artwork featuring 13 winning entries as well as a selection of other entries opened on 20 June 2012 at the United Nations Office of Geneva. The exhibition ran through 11 July.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Convention in May 2011, the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants organized a global art contest for children and youth on the theme "Stockholm at 10: Chemical Challenges, Sustainable Solutions" and what this means to young people around the world.

One hundred and sixty submissions, mainly drawings and paintings, were received from 18 countries. Due to the low number of entries submitted in the photography and video categories, as well as their insufficient relevance, the jury decided not to award any prizes for these art categories.

The exhibition of winning drawings/paintings was on display in the Passerelle of the Palais des Nations, Geneva (Entrance 40 from Pregny Gate). The exhibition opening coincided with the opening of Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Three of the Stockholm Convention’s Regional Centres organized parallel virtual exhibitions of the winning entries:

• Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) in Brno, Czech Republic
• Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in Kuwait City, Kuwait
• Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Dakar, Senegal

To view the winning artwork and all other entries:  
   

 To view the speeches made at the exhibition opening:

Speech by Mr. David Chikvaidze Chairman of the Cultural Activities Committee

Speech by Mr. David Ogden Acting Chief of Conventions Operations Branch

To view the opening reception pictures:

The Secretariat would like to congratulate the winners and warmly thank all of the artists for their participation in this contest!