Training in Best Practice Chemical Management for the Pacific Region - Training Report for the Republic of Palau

Abstract

Training in best practice chemical management was identified as a key need for Pacific Island countries in their planning for implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. In addition, it was recommended that the training should be applicable to all types of chemicals, rather than just those covered under the Convention. The training component of the Pacific Persistent Organic Pollutants Release Reduction Project was developed in response to these needs. This involved the delivery of training courses within 14 Pacific Island countries with the overall aim of improving regional chemical management. The courses were developed and delivered by the Institute of Applied Science of the University of the South Pacific under a contract to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. Funding for the work was provided by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme. The objectives, comments, and actions from the existing Sound Chemicals Management Policy (2011) remain relevant to Palau’s management of hazardous chemicals. Some are discussed again in the Action Plan from the Training Workshop but the full policy is included here for completeness. This appears in Appendix 4. Similarly, the 2007 Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan for the management of pesticides, PCBs, and unintentional POPs contains some action points that remain relevant (Appendix 5). Additional ones for the new POPs will be relevant when the Stockholm Convention NIP is updated. As Palau continues with their refinement of the Draft Action Plan for Hazardous Chemicals developed during the Training, they will harmonize these two attachments.