UNDP, UNITAR Launch Initiative for PCB, UPOP Management
Banjul, The Gambia – In an ambitious effort to address chemicals and waste management challenges in The Gambia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the National Environment Agency (NEA) of the Government of The Gambia, and other stakeholders have partnered to improve The Gambia’s capacity to effectively manage polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and unintentional persistent organic pollutants (uPOPs) through the project “Strengthening National and Municipal Capacities for the Sound Management of PCBs and uPOPs in The Gambia”. The project was launched in Banjul, The Gambia, on 5 March 2025, bringing together stakeholders from international organizations, government agencies, private sector, academia, civil society and non-governmental organizations, local communities and the media.
This three-year project (2024 – 2026), managed by UNDP with funding from the FFEM, and co-financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNITAR, the Government of The Gambia, and other local partners, aims to achieve the following results:
The project will work closely with and build on the results and experiences of the GEF project “Capacity Building for PCBs and U-POPs in The Gambia” to promote best available techniques and best environmental practices. In her welcoming remarks, Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Resident Representative for The Gambia, noted that,
This intervention is timely given the upcoming deadlines of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants under which PCBs are controlled.
Asserting the critical importance of the project towards The Gambia’s efforts in meeting international commitments on sound chemicals and waste management, Dr. Dawda Badgie, Executive Director of the National Environment Agency remarked that
Participants consistently expressed enthusiasm for the innovative and multifaceted nature of the initiative, with Diane Ménard, Project Manager, Pollution – Circular Economy – Ozone, FFEM, pointing out that,
UNDP
The Chair of the Project Steering Committee, Resident Representative of UNDP Gambia, and the Co-Chair, Executive Director of Gambia NEA, launch the project.
The manager of the UNITAR’s Chemicals and Waste Management Programme, Jorge Ocaña, said “
The success of this FFEM-funded project leans on the engagement of the national stakeholders involved and those willing to contribute. UNITAR will support implementation by providing international experts, facilitating specialized training, and assisting in regulatory development to empower the public and private sectors, as well as the civil society to adopt sustainable waste management practices and sound management of PCBs while meeting the Stockholm Convention obligations. – UNITAR’s Chemicals and Waste Management Programme, Jorge Ocaña
Therefore, we encourage all actors to support the implementation of the project. This is an opportunity to address local challenges in The Gambia while contributing towards global efforts to ensure a healthier, safer environment for all.
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