Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for Environmental Compliance has announced a national project aimed at inventorying and assessing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) across the Kingdom. This initiative seeks to elucidate the environmental, health, social, and economic impacts of POPs.

At a scientific workshop in Riyadh, the center reviewed international best practices for managing POPs and stressed the importance of involving relevant government agencies. To support the project, the center will distribute questionnaires to key stakeholders to facilitate a scientific evaluation of POPs' presence.

The project aligns with the Kingdom's commitment to the Stockholm Convention and aims to achieve several objectives, including engaging relevant parties, clarifying information exchange mechanisms, reducing POP production and use, and promoting alternative substances.

The workshop brought together international experts and representatives from government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the General Department of Traffic, the National Center for Waste Management, Civil Defense, and the High Commission for Industrial Security.