In May 2001, governments adopted the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and named the GEF as the Convention's interim financial mechanism, pending entry into force of the Convention. In October 2002, the GEF Assembly approved the addition of POPs as a new focal area. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that, to a varying degree, resist photolytic,biological and chemical degradation. POPs are often halogenated and characterized by low water solubility and high lipid solubility, leading to their bioaccumulation in fatty tissues. They are also semivolatile, enabling them to move long distances in the atmosphere before disposition occurs.  

The portfolio of projects, co-financed by GEF, via UNEP, fall under the following themes:

1. Strengthening the enabling environment so that countries can more effectively implement commitments made as Parties to the UN Stockholm Convention on POPs.
2. Environmental information management, environmental assessments, analysis and research.
3. Phase out of POPs