Chemicals Management

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Chemicals represent a vital element of human development, affecting virtually all sectors of human activity. Increasingly however, it has been globally recognized that the poor management of chemicals adversely affects human health and the environment, compromising disproportionately the urban and the rural poor, particularly women and children. UNDP helps countries to improve their chemicals management and attain the MDGs by providing MDG Support Services in the following areas:

What's New

16 September 2007 - International Ozone Day: Ad Melkert Opinion Editorial 'Twenty years later, the Montreal Protocol is still making its mark; The pact was a ground-breaking deal that set the stage for Kyoto'. More...

'Le Protocole de Montréal: un modèle de coopération mondiale pour le plus grand bénéfice de l’environnement'. More...

September 2007: UNDP Protecting the Ozone Layer - Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – 20 Years of Success

2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out consumption and production of ozone depleting substances (ODS) used in a myriad of applications around the world. The publication focuses on UNDP’s contribution to the success of the Montreal Protocol and highlights our ongoing commitment to the important work that remains to be done to protect the ozone layer. More…

Download here the publication in English, Spanish or French.

May 2007: UNDP Publication - Managing Chemicals for Sustainable Development - Sound Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ozone Depleting Substances & Other Chemicals.

This publication is the first in a new series that highlights UNDP's role as a facilitator of sound management of chemicals for sustainable development. This issue focuses on the work UNDP, with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is undertaking in concert with partner countries to meet the aims of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and highlights our ongoing commitment to reducing and eliminating releases of POPs.

Download here the publication in English, French or Spanish

Visit the Chemicals Management News Archive 2006

 

 

 

Chemicals Management Topics

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Chemicals for Sustainable Development

The poor are at higher risk of exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals because of their occupations, living conditions and lack of knowledge about handling chemicals. An estimated 80% of all poisonings occur in developing countries where regulatory, health and education systems are weakest.

Sound management of chemicals can improve the living environment and work conditions of the poor and thus their health, while at the same time proper use of chemicals such as pesticides and chemicals fertilizers can boost crop yields, protect the productivity of freshwater and marine fisheries, and ecosystems on which poor communities depend. Secured livelihoods can help free up time for other activities, such as education.

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