Stockholm convention in Palestine

1. The Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutantsin Palestine Facultyof Graduate Studies, An- Najah National University, Nablus ,PalestineTaqwa Samha, Maymona Wahdan Abstract The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is an international treaty aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from hazards chemicals. While Palestine is not currently a party to the convention considering its implications and potential implementation could production, use, and release, promoting environmentally sound management of POPs waste, and fostering international cooperation. Palestine faces environmental challenges, including pollution and contamination, making the Stockholm Convention a valuable framework to address these issues. Implementing the convention could improve environmentally quality, protect public health, and ensure sustainable development. Effective implementation requires several measures: assessing the current status of POPs, developing regulatory frameworks, enhancing waste management practices, raising awareness, and strengthening monitoring and enforcement capacities. Despite potential obstacles like limited resources and technical capabilities, Palestine can benefit from international cooperation and support. Collaborating with other countries, regional organizations, and stockholders can help overcome challenges and successfully implement the convention. The benefits of adopting the Stockholm Convention are numerous. It can reduce POPs release, mitigate associated health risk, and promote sustainable development. Furthermore, implementing the convention can enhance Palestine’s engagement in the global community, fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange. In conclusion, though Palestine is not currently party to Stockholm Convention, understanding its implications and implementation methods can provide valuable insights. By adopting the convention’s principles and strategies, Palestine can address POPs risks, protect the environment, and ensure the well-being of its population. This will pave the way towards a more sustainable and healthier future.

2. Introduction • 1.1 Background • The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international treaty that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It was adopted in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2001 and entered into force in 2004. As of September 2022, there are 186 parties to the convention, including the State of Palestine, which acceded to the Stockholm Convention and deposited its instruments of accession on 29 December 2017, with entry into force on 29 March 2018. • POPs are highly toxic chemicals that have harmful impacts on human health and the environment. They possess four fundamental properties: they persist in the environment for a long time, they have the potential to accumulate in unhealthy quantities in humans and animals, they are stable and resistant to natural breakdown, and they can be transported over long distances in the environment. This wide dispersion can lead to their presence in regions where they have not been produced or used, even in remote areas like Antarctica. POPs can be transported through water, air, or migrating species, necessitating global management of their risks. • The current scope of the convention includes 30 POPs, which encompass pesticides like DDT, industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and unintentional by-products like dioxins and furans. The convention allows for the identification and addition of new substances to the list of POPs if they meet certain criteria and gain agreement from the convention parties. These pollutants pose severe risks to human health and the environment, having been linked to various health issues including cancer, reproductive disorders, and neurological impairments. They also threaten wildlife, biodiversity, and the overall balance of ecosystems. • The convention requires parties to eliminate or restrict the production, use, and release of POPs by promoting the development and adoption of safer alternatives, best available techniques and practices, and integrated pest management strategies.

3. Additionally, the convention emphasizes the importance of promoting alternatives to POPs and encourages the development and transfer of environmentally friendly technologies. It also supports technical assistance and technology transfer to developing countries to facilitate the implementation of its provisions. • Since its adoption, the Stockholm Convention has made significant progress and facilitated the reduction and elimination of several POPs, leading to measurable improvements in human health and the environment. • 1.2TheObjectivesofThisResearchare • Study the objectives of the Stockholm Convention which is to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of certain highly toxic chemicals known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs are a group of chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in living organics, and pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems and the possibility to apply in Palestine.

4. 2.MaterialandMethod Methods for implementing the Stockholm Convention on POPs include adopting widely legislation, establishing monitoring systems, promoting alternative technologies and conducting public awareness campaigns. • Legislative and regulatory measures: Countries establish legal frameworks with regulations on POPs production, use, monitoring, reporting and disposal to implement the Stockholm Convention. • Inventory and monitoring: Parties must develop inventories and monitoring systems to track POPs in the environment and assess human exposure. • Risk assessment and management: Risk assessment evaluates the negative impacts of POPs on health and the environment, leading to the development of strategies to minimize exposure through best practices, safer alternative and acceptable exposure levels. • Stockpile and waste management: Address POPs stockpiles, manage waste safely and develop proper procedures. • Capacity building and awareness: Institutional capacity building and stakeholder awareness crucial for effective POPs management. Includes training officials, professionals and public awareness campaigns. • International cooperation: Collaboration, information exchangem and support vital for addressing transboundary POPs issues. Include sharing best practices, research and providing assistance to developing countries • The methods applied in Palestine, as a party to the Stockholm Convention, would be determined based on the country’s unique circumstances, resources and priorities.

5. 3. Solution/Idea and their impacts -Analysis The Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is an international treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from highly hazardous chemicals. While Palestine is not a signatory to the convention, it can still adopt strategies to address the issue of POPs within its territory. Here is an analysis of Potential solutions/ideas and their impacts: • Awareness and Education Programs: can increase public understanding of POPs, their sources and impacts, fostering support for minimizing contamination. • Impact: increased awareness fosters behavioral changes such as adopting eco-friendly practices, reducing POPs product use and improving waste management. • Strengthening Regulatory Framework: Palestine can enhance regulations to control POPs through stricter import/export controls, promoting safer alternatives and improving waste management. • Impact: enhance regulations can effectively manage POPs, reducing environmental release and minimizing human exposure. • Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: Training and support empower agencies, industries and professionals to identify, monitor and manage POPs through proper handling, storage, disposal and environmental assessment. • Impact: enhanced capacity and technical expertise improve monitoring, enforcement, control of POPs sources and pollution hotspots. • Collaboration and Networking: Palestine can collaborate with international organizations, neighboring countries and regional initiatives to exchange knowledge, address POPs through workshops, research projects and information sharing.

6. Impact: collaboration with international organizations and neighboring countries fosters synergies, facilitates expertise, resource access and promotes coordinated strategies against transboundary POPs pollution. • Research and Invocation: Investment in research and innovation leads to new technologies, process and methodologies for reducing and eliminating POPs, including alternative chemicals and sustainable waste management practices. • Impact: research and innovation drive the discovery of safer alternatives, efficient remediation methods, sustainable practices and reducing POPs contamination. • The implementation of these solutions in Palestine require collaboration among the government, industries, civil society organization, the public to protect health the environment and fulfill the goals of Stockholm Convention. 5.Possibility to apply it in Palestine • Yes, it is possible to apply the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Palestine. While Palestine is not currently a separate party to the convention, it can still consider implementing the principles and provisions of the convention at the national level.The application of the Stockholm Convention in Palestine would require several steps we discussed them in Solutions/ Ideas. • The implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Palatine is overseen by the relevant governmental authority in the country. The responsible state entity is designed to execute and enforce the obligations outlined in the convention. They may establish bodies or agencies to supervise, coordinate, regulate and monitor the implementation of Stockholm Convention. • Palestine can overcome challenges through commitment and international support for effective Stockholm Convention implementation.

7. 4.Challenges Implementing the Stockholm Convention in Palestine presents several challenges and negative aspects which are : Limited resources and capacities for effective POPs management. Lack of technical expertise and infrastructures for POPs monitoring and control. Insufficient data on POPs sources, emissions and impacts. Difficulty in enforcing regulations and ensuring compliance. Transboundary nature of POPs requires international cooperation and coordination. Balancing economic development with environmental protection in POPs management. Raising public awareness and understanding of POPs risks and mitigation strategies. Securing financial and technical support for implementing convention obligations. Integrating POPs management into existing policy frameworks and regulations. Addressing the challenges posed by obsolete POPs- containing equipment and stockpiles. These challenges highlight the importance of addressing capacity gaps, enhancing cooperation, and adopting tailored strategies to effectively manage POPs in Palestine, should it become a party to the Stockholm Convention in the future.

8. 6. Conclusions and recommendations In conclusion, the effective implementation of the Stockholm convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Palestine requires the development of a national action plan, raising public awareness, foster collaboration, allocate resources for effective POPs management. By taking these steps, Palestine can work towards minimizing the risks posed by POPs, protecting human health and preserving the environment. 7. References (STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, n.d.). (RIDDING THE WORLD OF POPs: A GUIDE TO THE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, n.d.). (STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC Official Journal of the European Union POLLUTANTS, n.d.). (CN.115.2019-Eng, n.d.) (united nation). (DOCUMENT OF THE STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE ON CONFIDENCE-AND SECURITY-BUILDING MEASURES AND DISARMAMENT IN EUROPE CONVENED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE CONCLUDING DOCUMENT OF THE MADRID MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE ON SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (1) The Representatives of the Participating States of the Conference on Security and Co-Operation in Europe, 1986)