Framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention

Background

According to Article 16 of the Stockholm Convention, the effectiveness of the Convention shall be evaluated on the basis of available scientific, environmental, technical and economic information, including:

• Reports and other monitoring information on the presence of POPs and their regional and global environmental transport
• National reports submitted pursuant to Article 15
• Non-compliance information provided pursuant to Article 17

At its fourth meeting in May 2009, the Conference of the Parties acknowledged that the first effectiveness evaluation was completed. It noted that the procedures for the evaluation stage of the effectiveness evaluation were not defined and established an ad hoc working group to write a report on possible procedures for this purpose.

Framework for effectiveness evaluation

At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted the framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention pursuant to Article 16 . A revised version of the framework was adopted at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The framework encompasses issues such as the purpose of the effectiveness evaluation; arrangements for conducting the effectiveness evaluation; elements and indicators for the effectiveness evaluation; limitations of the effectiveness evaluation; and terms of reference for an effectiveness evaluation committee. The revised framework is available in document UNEP/POPS/COP.9/20/Add.1.

Effectiveness Evaluation Committee

In accordance with the terms of reference set out in the appendix to the framework for effectiveness evaluation of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties elects members to the effectiveness evaluation committee every six years, at the meeting preceding each effectiveness evaluation cycle. The committee consists of fourteen experts: ten designated by Parties from the five United Nations regions and elected by the Conference of the Parties; one expert from the global coordination group of the global monitoring plan; one expert from the compliance committee; and two internationally recognized experts in effectiveness evaluation, selected by the Secretariat.

The next election of committee members will take place at the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2027.

More information on the membership of the effectiveness evaluation committee is available here.