GCMP has been launched by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

About GCMP

• Aim: Reduce global pollution while strengthening developing countries’ capacity to monitor hazardous chemicals and support evidence-based policy making.
• Financing: US$ 23.5 million initiative financed by GEF (backed by US$ 50 million in co-financing).
  • GEF was established during 1992 Rio Earth Summit and serves as financial mechanism for five international environmental conventions:
    • Minamata Convention, Stockholm Convention, UN Convention on Biological Diversity, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and UNFCCC.
• Projects: Its six projects will generate robust scientific evidence on chemical pollution, improve data to inform policy development, strengthen cooperation, and support the long-term monitoring of POPs and mercury.
  • WHO places POPs and Mercury under top 10 chemicals and group of chemicals of major public health concern. 
    • POPs are toxic, carbon-based synthetic chemical substances that resist environmental degradation, bioaccumulate in food chain, and travel long distances, posing health threats.
    • Mercury is a naturally occurring element having toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.