LRTAP Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution First meeting of the Task Force on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 1-3 March 2004, The Hague Secretariat Keith Bull (secretary to the Executive Body) Albena Karadjova (secretary to the Task Force on POPs) UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

LRTAP The new Task Force on POPs Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution The new Task Force on POPs Established by the Executive Body in December 2003 Led by Canada and the Netherlands Included in the Executive Body’s work-plan for 2004 UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

LRTAP So far the secretariat has: Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution So far the secretariat has: Invited Heads of Delegation to Executive Body to nominate their National Focal Points; Drawn up a list of National Focal Points; Circulated information on the meeting to Parties including the provisional agenda (prepared by Co-Chairs), decision 2003/10, the work-plan for POPs; Circulated a questionnaire on use and production of POPs subject to review and reassessment. UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

LRTAP In general, the secretariat: Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution In general, the secretariat: Assists in setting up the meetings of the Task Force; Provides assistance/guidance for running meetings; Assists the Co-Chairs to prepare their reports; Carries out necessary work to ensure reports are brought before the Working Group on Strategies and Review; Maintains the web site with relevant information for technical experts and the public. UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

LRTAP Under decision 2003/10, the secretariat: Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Under decision 2003/10, the secretariat: Distributes technical documents related to new substances to National Focal Points (60 days in advance of meetings if possible); Distributes the report of the meeting to National Focal Points and to observers and experts attending the meeting (traditionally this is a Chairs’ report, but key elements of the Task Force deliberations are to be approved by the Task Force). UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

LRTAP Contact the secretariat: keith.bull@unece.org Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Contact the secretariat: keith.bull@unece.org Telephone +41 22 917 2354 albena.karadjova@unece.org Telephone: +41 22 917 2345 air.env@unece.org UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE