Moving Forward on POPs: Bosnia and Herzegovina Updates National Implementation Plan under Stockholm Convention

The technical meeting was organized under the GEF 10785 project, Global Development, Review and Update of National Implementation Plans under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

The event brought together nearly 70 representatives from government institutions, research organizations, industry, national NGOs, and international partners. Participants were introduced to the updated NIP priorities, reviewed newly developed action plans, and contributed to refining targets for the effective management of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting featured dynamic discussions and valuable contributions from stakeholders across all entities.

In her opening remarks, the SC National Focal Point, Ms. Azra Rogović-Grubić, reaffirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong commitment to meeting its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Kateřina Šebková, Director of the SCRC, congratulated the national expert team on the high quality of their work, emphasizing that the updated inventories and reports provide a solid foundation for the next phase of SC implementation.

Ms. Mihaela Claudia Paun, Programme Management Officer, Agrifood and Health Unit at UNEP, joined the meeting online and commended Bosnia and Herzegovina for successfully completing the NIP update, highlighting the depth and quality of the work carried out.

The expert team — Ms. Melina Dzaic-Valjevac, Ms. Maja Maretić-Tiro, Mr. Borislav Malinović and Mr. Ivan Duricković — presented the updated National Implementation Plan, outlining key priorities and proposed action plans covering all 31 chemicals listed under the Convention for which NIP elaboration was mandatory.

Key priorities include:

• Updating national and entity-level legislation;
• Closure, rehabilitation, and remediation of unsanitary landfills;
• Establishing a system for identification, management, and remediation of contaminated sites by 2030;
• Strengthening horizontal and vertical data exchange mechanisms among competent institutions, in line with the Environmental Protection Strategy (ESAP 2030+);
• Increasing public awareness of the risks and impacts of POPs;
• Establishing regular monitoring of POPs in the environment and in human biomonitoring.

The meeting marked an important milestone in advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts to strengthen chemicals management and protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants. Moreover, the presented action plans also pave the way for next NIP update and target generation of baseline information on new POPs content in products and articles and in households in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was also noted that over last years there were strengthening of laboratory capacities as number of laboratories increased from three to seven, able to cover chlorinated POPs, and research focusing on POPs started in both Republika Srpska and in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Still, capacities for analyses of new POPs are limited and further progress needs to be achieved via implementation of the updated NIP or by support from traditional or external partners.

Reflecting on progress since the previous NIP, Kateřina Šebková added:

“The meeting also reviewed the level of implementation of the actions outlined in the previous NIP. It was concluded that 60-70% of actions outlined were successfully implemented thanks to well-planned follow up collaborative projects and activities involving all entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would like to acknowledge work and dedication from the expert team but also support provided to this project from relevant ministries and authorities in all entities as well as collaboration with UNDP office. It was a great pleasure to working with all of you and we at SCRC Czech Republic are proud with you on this successful project outcome.”