POPs Enabling Activities-
Project proposal for
The republic of CUBA		
	
Project Identifiers	
1.  Project Number: 
Not yet assigned	3.  GEF Implementing Agency:
United Nations Environment Programme	
2.	Project Name:
Enabling activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): 
National Implementation Plan for Cuba	
4.  Country eligibility: Republic of Cuba signed the Stockholm Convention on May 23, 2001	
5.  Country: Republic of Cuba	
6.  Name of GEF national operational focal point and date the endorsement letter (attached) was signed:
Jorge Luis Fernandez Chamero
Director, International Co-operation Deparment, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA);
Capitolio Nacional, Prado y San Jose; La Habana 10200 – Cuba; 
Telephone: + (537) 8670606/ Facsimile: + (537) 338054; E-mail: chamero@citma.cu
Endorsement letter signed on November 21, 2002	
Summary of Project Objectives, Activities, and Expected Outcomes	
7.  Project objectives:
Within the overall objective of the Stockholm Convention, which is to protect human health and the environment from POPs, the project will: 
i.	Prepare the ground for implementation of the Convention in Cuba; 
ii.	Strengthen Cuba’s national capacities to manage POPs and chemicals in general;
iii.	Assist Cuba in meeting its reporting, information exchange and other obligations under the Convention.	
8.  Project activities:
The proposed project activities will follow the step-wise process set out in the GEF “Initial Guidelines for Enabling Activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants”. In summary, these are: 
i.	Determination of coordinating mechanisms and organization of process; 
ii.	Assessment of national infrastructure and capacity and establishment of POPs inventories;
iii.	Establishment of a network for the exchange of information on POPs and chemicals in general;
iv.	Setting of priorities and determination of objectives;
v.	Formulation of a National Implementation Plan and specific Action Plans; 
vi.	Endorsement of the National Implementation Plan by decision makers and other stakeholders. 	
9.  Project duration: 2 years	
10.	Project expected outcomes:
i.	Establishment of Inter- Sectoral Coordination mechanisms;
ii.	Preliminary inventories of POPs;
iii.	Assessment of national infraestructure and capacity to implement the Stockholm Convention;
iv.	Criteria for setting priorities and objectives for action on the priorities being set;
v.	National Implementation Plan, including specific Action Plans and strategies required under Articles 5 and 6;
vi.	Strengthened national POPs management infrastructure; and
vii.	Capacity to exchange information on POPs and chemicals in general and meet reporting obligations under the Stockholm Convention	
11.  Estimated total budget:
                  604 700 USD	
12.  Amount being requested from the GEF:
                  499,700 USD	
Information on institution submitting project brief	
13.  Information on the organization in the country submitting the proposal:
Centro de Información, Gestión y Educación Ambiental; Agencia del Medio Ambiente; Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente; Calle 20 esq.18-A e/41 y 47, Playa, C. Habana, Cuba.
Telephone:  +(537) 209 60 14/202 93 51 / Facsimile: + (537) 204 90 31; E-mail: jmario@ama.cu
The Centre for Information, Management and Environmental Education of the Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, is the national agency responsible for the promotion and development of actions aiming to the safe management of chemicals in general and POPs in particular. It chairs the Inter-ministerial Committee for the Safe Management of Chemicals and implements the national commitments of the Stockholm Convention Focal Point , the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and the Designated National Authority for the Implementation of the Rotterdam Convention.
The Centre also acts as the Technical Focal Point for the implementation of the Protocol concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities of the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Wider Caribbean.	
14.  Information on the proposed executing organization:
The Centre for Information, Management and Environmental Education of the Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, will act as the National Project Coordinating Unit and thus will be the lead project executing organisation, in collaboration with an inter-sectoral committee comprised of representatives from, inter alia: the Ministries of Agriculture, Basic Industry, Public Health, Labour and Social Security, Foreign Trade and several research centres, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. 	
15.  Date the proposal was submitted to a GEF Implementing Agency: 	
16.  Date the proposal was submitted to the GEF Secretariat: 	
17.  Date the proposal was approved: 	
18.  Date of first Disbursement: 	
Information on Implementing Agency:	
19.  Implementing Agency contact person: 
Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Director, GEF Co-ordination Division, UNEP, Nairobi, telephone: +(254 2) 624 165; facsimile: +(254 2) 624 041: ahmed.djoghlaf @unep.org	

Project Description 

The proposed enabling activities are consistent with the GEF "Initial Guidelines for Enabling Activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants" (GEF/C.17/4) approved by the GEF Council, May 2001.

background

A certain level of use of persistent organic pollutants is reported in Cuba, determining as fundamental issues a number of problems associated to the inadequate management of these substances, among which the following are included: existence of obsolete stockpiles including pesticide compounds; insufficient coverage of the treatment and final disposal of wastes; limitations and insufficiencies of the existing mechanisms for the exchange of information and  inter-sectoral coordination, and lack of compliance with the requirements for use, storage and transportation.
The development and implementation of a National Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants constitutes one of the priorities within the context of the National Environmental Strategy, in which the pollution phenomenon is recognized as one of the main environmental problems generated, inter alia, by inappropriate chemical management practices throughout the life cycle of certain products. 
The implementation is directly linked to health programmes and plans for food and tourism development which are currently being executed in the country, by promoting the identification and establishment of management options aimed at dealing with existing pollution problems and thus guarantee the conservation of human health and the sustainable use of the natural resources which constitute the basis for the development of these programmes. 

Cuba has the following general priorities and objectives for POPs management:

•	Assessment of national infrastructure and capacity for the management of POPs and chemicals in general;
•	Development and/or strengthening of national infrastructure and capacity for the management of POPs;
•	Identification, assessment and implementation of management alternatives addressing the remediation of contaminated sites and the stockpiles of obsolete chemicals and wastes;
•	Establishment of a national programme for the gradual reduction/elimination of PCB use;
•	Identification and assessment of environmental and health aspects of interest;  
•	Awareness raising and capacity building for decision makers, workers and the public in general;
Related Activities

Following activities demonstrate Cuba’s efforts to manage and control POPs:

•	PNUMA Project for a National Inventory of PCBs and  obsoletes pesticides POPs;
•	GEF Project for the Regional Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances; 
•	PNUMA Project for a National Inventory of dioxins and furans emisions;
•	Project with RFI and the World Bank. Strengthening of National Capacities for the sound management of Persistent Organic Pollutants;
•	GEF Project on Highly Polluted Bays;
•	Activities addressing the national implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure; 
•	Training activities for the management of POPs.

More details on Cuba’s background are included in ANNEX 1.

Project objectives

Within the overall objective of the Stockholm Convention, which is to protect human health and the environment from POPs, the project will: 

i.	Prepare the ground for implementation of the Convention in Cuba;
ii.	Strengthen Cuba’s national capacity to manage POPs and chemicals in general; and 
iii.	Assist Cuba in meeting its reporting, information exchange and other obligations under the Convention.

Project outcomes

i.	Institutional strengthening of the national executing organisation and establishment of coordinating mechanisms;
ii.	Inventories on POPs;
iii.	Assessment of national infrastructure and capacity to implement the Stockholm Convention;
iv.	Availability of criteria for establishment of priorities and objectives for action in accordance with established priorities;
v.	National Implementation Plan required under Article 7 of the Convention, and specific action Plans and strategies required under Articles 5 and 6;
vi.	Strengthened infrastructure and national capacity for the management of POPs;
vii.	Strengthened capacity to meet reporting and information exchange obligations under the Convention;
viii.	Strengthened national capacity for regional cooperation in implementation of the Stockholm Convention. 

Project Activities

Step I:	Determination of co-ordinating mechanisms and organisation of process 

Output 1.1 	Project Coordination Unit and National Coordinating Committee established and operational and the roles of the various stakeholders defined.
1.1.1.	The Centre for Information, Management and Environmental Education of the Environmental Agency will act as the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) responsible for the project execution and will designate a National Project Coordinator (NPC).
1.1.2.	A National Coordination Committee (NCC) will be established based on stakeholder analysis, comprising of the relevant government departments and other POPs stakeholders including:

•	Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
•	Ministry of Agriculture
•	Ministry of Public Health
•	Ministry of Basic Industry
•	Ministry of Labour and Social Security
•	Ministry of Sugar Industry
•	Ministry of Armed Forces
•	Ministry of Foreign Trade
•	Ministry of Higher Education 
•	Civil Defence
•	Several Research Centres
•	Civil society organizations
•	Other interested groups

1.1.3.	 The roles and responsibilities of the members of the National Coordination Committee for the various aspects of POPs management will be identified, clarified and assigned.
1.1.4.	Capacities and needs of PCU and NCC as well as country Stockholm Convention Focal Point will be assessed, and information, training, equipment and administrative support provided accordingly.

Output 1.2	 Agreed work-plan and timetable

1.2.1.	A detailed work-plan and timetable for implementation will be finalised by the Project Coordination Unit and endorsed by the National Coordinating Committee.

Output 1.3	 Commitment of major stakeholders secured

1.3.1.	Organisation of a high-level inception workshop attended by representatives of the main stakeholders. Support from national and international experts is envisaged:
•	Present the national and international context relevant to POPs management;
•	Present the objectives of the project and anticipated results and outcomes;
•	Secure the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the management of POPs and clarify and obtain agreements regarding their roles and responsibilities and resource commitments (technical, human, etc.);
•	Adoption of a memorandum of understanding, to be signed by all the members or the National Coordinating Committee.
•	
Output 1.4	 Raised public awareness on POPs related problems 

1.4.1.	Organisation of national public awareness raising activities such as workshops, information campaign in the media, etc.
1.4.2.	Organisation of awareness raising activities for decision makers, including a workshop for all stakeholders.

Step II:  Establishment of a POPs inventory and assessment of infrastructure and capacity 

Output 2.1	National Profile for POPs Management

2.1.1.	This step will be initiated with a workshop that will define responsibilities and establish the task teams responsible for providing the necessary data and for the elaboration of the various sections of the National Profile, particularly those sections relevant to POPs. The workshop will include the main stakeholders and be attended by national experts. 
2.1.2.	Elaboration of a National Profile for POPs management. The National Coordinating Committee will steer the elaboration of the National Profile, review the development of the different sections, and make the necessary arrangements for its regular update. The National Profile will require a range of evaluations and specifications of existing chemical management arrangements within the country. Such assessments which may be extended to other persistent toxic substances, will comprise, inter alia, assessments of:
•	Effectiveness of legislative, regulatory and enforcement infrastructure for POPs management and its capacity to achieve Convention compliance;
•	Relevant activities of industry, public interest groups and the scientific community;
•	Existing inter-ministerial commissions and inter-departmental coordination and communication mechanisms;
•	Existing human and financial resources;
•	The extent of existing public awareness of chemical management, including POPs issues, and the nature and scale of current national programmes for awareness raising among workers and the general public; 
•	The implementation of relevant international agreements; 
•	Technical capacity (e.g. capacity to establish Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) for POPs source categories; POPs monitoring, research ,development and chemical analytical capacity) supporting existing responsibilities and the degree to which these would satisfy national requirements under the POPs Convention.
2.1.3	Circulation of the draft National Profile to the major stakeholders for comment and endorsement through a national workshop.

Output 2.2	Preliminary National POPs Inventory

2.2.1	Establish and train as necessary task teams responsible for preparing inventories of various POPs categories and prepare their Terms of Reference. National experts will facilitate this work with the assistance of international expert(s). 
2.2.2	The task teams will hold regular meetings to establish and update the inventory covering:
•	Distribution, use, import and export of POPs; 
•	Obsolete POPs stocks, POPs-containing articles in use and contaminated sites;
•	Unintentional sources and releases of POPs.;
•	POPs releases into environment and estimates of future releases;
•	Assessment of opportunities for in country disposal of obsolete stocks in accordance with provisions of Article 6 of the Convention;
•	Assessment of options for the remediation of contaminated sites and reduction of emissions;
•	POPs presence, levels and trends in the environment.
2.2.3	Organisation of a national workshop to validate the national POPs inventory.
2.2.4	Printing and widespread dissemination, including through electronic media, of the National Profile on POPs management and the POPs Inventory.

Output 2.3	Capacity Building Needs Identified 

2.3.1	Assessment of the needs for strengthening institutional capacities for the environmentally sound management of POPs.
2.3.2	Assessment of economic and social implications of POPs use, reduction in use and the dissemination and promotion of alternative technologies/products.
2.3.3	Assessment of enforcement capacity to ensure compliance, analytical chemistry capacity and research &development capacity.

Output 2.4	Human health and environmental issues of concern in Cuba identified

2.4.1	Identification of POPs related human health and environmental issues of concern, assessment of the national capacity for risk assessment, basic risk assessment as a basis for prioritisation of future action, taking into account potential releases to the environment and size of exposed population. 

Step III:  Establishment of a network for the exchange of        information on POPs and chemicals in general 

Output 3.1	Establishment of a POPs information system 

An Information Exchange Network on POPs and Chemicals in General will be designed and put in place, integrating the data of relevant departments and institutions. The information system should be regularly updated and allow rapid access to information. It should enable the Stockholm Convention Focal Point in Cuba meet all reporting obligations under the Convention
3.1.1.	Identification of the potential institutions who would participate in the network
3.1.2.	Diagnostic of the existing infrastructure. (Availability of experts, institutional aspects, web sites, ongoing projects, data bases, type and availability of information, availability of equipment, bibliographic services, etc.);
3.1.3.	National Workshop for the identification and validation of national needs;
3.1.4.	Development of protocols to facilitate information exchange between participating institutions, in order to prepare periodic reports;
3.1.5.	Elaboration of a general work strategy for the future development of the network;
3.1.6.	Infrastructure adjustment based on the identified needs;
3.1.7.	Training course for the network users on the management of workstations and access to information on POPs and chemicals in general;
3.1.8.	Creation of a moderated discussion list to electronically link all network members;
3.1.9.	Design and development of a web page for the National POPs Focal Point;
3.1.10.	Development of electronic libraries on issues of interest for the network members;
3.1.11.	Design and establishment of a National Register of Information on Chemicals; 
3.1.12.	Development of an electronic newsletter to disseminate national and international experiences gained in the area of chemical safety. 

Step IV:	Priority setting, determination of objectives for action and development of a national strategy for POPs management

Output 4.1	Criteria for Priority Assignment 

4.1.1.   Organisation of a training Workshop on risk assessment
4.1.2.	The Project Coordinating Unit in close co-operation with the National Coordinating Committee, elaborate an all-encompassing document based on findings in Step II and a draft set of proposals for criteria for setting national priorities for POPs management. This, taking into account priorities defined in the national environmental action plan, POPs specific findings of the Step II, and areas of special environmental interest that may be affected by POPs;
4.1.3.	Organise multi-stakeholder review of prioritisation criteria, and a high level national workshop for the endorsement of the prioritisation criteria taking into account social, economic and environmental factors and the availability of alternatives.

Output 4.2	Development of national strategy for the management of POPs.

4.2.1.	The Project Coordinating Unit in close co-operation with the National Co-ordination Committee, and based on the endorsed prioritisation criteria, will propose national objectives for POPs management;
4.2.2.	Organise multi-stakeholder review of national objectives, and a high level national workshop for the endorsement of the national objectives in relation to priority POPs issues;
4.2.3.	Development of a national strategy project for the management of POPs;
4.2.4.	Organise a workshop for the endorsement of the national strategy project for the management of POPs.

Step V	Formulation of National Implementation Plan and Action Plans on specific POPs 

Output 5.1	Identification and Evaluation of POPs Management Options
5.1.1.	Establish task teams to develop plans for addressing specific POPs taking into account priorities established in Step IV;
5.1.2.	Organise a workshop on the development of an National Implementation Plan. National experts will facilitate the workshop with the assistance of international expertise;
5.1.3.	Provide training/seminar by experts from institutions having extensive experience in the field of sound POPs management to members of the teams tasked with the development of the NIP;
5.1.4.	Identify POPs management options, including those relevant to the elimination and reduction of the risks to human health and the environment;
5.1.5.	Determine the need for the introduction of alternative technologies, including any requirements for technology transfer;
5.1.6.	Provide training in cost/benefit analysis of the various options for POPs management;
5.1.7.	Evaluation of the costs and benefits of identified management options.

Output 5.2	Development of a Draft National Implementation Plan

5.2.1.	Organisation of a planning workshop to define the objectives and anticipated results of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) and to prepare the terms of reference for the teams tasked with preparing the NIP and specific associated action plans;
5.2.2.	Elaboration of elements of the NIP and relevant action plans by the task teams including a timetable for its implementation. Setting a schedule for regular meetings of the National Co-ordinating Committee for follow-up, evaluation and revision of the NIP draft;
5.2.3.	Establishment of NIP targets, timeframes for their achievement, and measurable indicators of success;
5.2.4.	Evaluation of costs related to the implementation of the NIP, including an evaluation of incremental costs;
5.2.5.	Elaboration of a portfolio of projects for submission to decision-makers and to potential funding agencies and donor bodies;
5.2.6.	Development of a national strategy for information exchange, education, communication and awareness raising, taking into account risk perceptions regarding POPs among the public.

Step VI: Endorsement of National Implementation Plan by stakeholders 

Output 6.1	The National Implementation Plan is agreed upon at the highest level and commitments of various stakeholders to its implementation secured
6.1.1.	Submission of the draft NIP to the major stakeholder for comments and suggestions. Revision of the document as necessary and appropriate;
6.1.2.	Preparation of an information document for decision makers and public interest groups that includes requests for resources (human, financial, technical, etc.) required for implementation;
6.1.3.	Organisation of a workshop for decision-makers, potential donors, the private sector and other key partners to approve the final draft of the NIP and obtain the necessary commitment from the stakeholders;
6.1.4.	The NIP is finalised and widely distributed through various means.

Stakeholder identification and participation

The major stakeholders and their relevant departments/institutions are:
•	Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
Centre for Information, Management and Environmental Education 
Environment Directorate
International Co-operation Deparment
Centre for Inspection and Environmental Control
Regulatory Office 
Provincial Delegations 
•	Ministry of Agriculture
Scientific and Technical Directorate 
National Health Plant Centre 
Health Plant Research Institute 
Soils Institute 
Provincial Delegations 
•	Ministry of Basic Industry 
Technical Directorate
Electrical Union
Petroleum Research Centre 
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Union 
•	Ministry of Public Health
National Unit for Environmental Health
National Unit for the Fight Against Vectors 
National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology 
National Institute for Labour Health 
National Centre for Toxicology 
Provincial Centres for Hygiene and Epidemiology
•	Ministry of Labour
Directorate for Work Security 
National Office for Inspection of Labour
•	Ministry of Foreign Trade
Quimimport Enterprise
•	Ministry of Sugar
Agronomy Directorate
•	Ministry of Armed Forces
Engineering Directorate
•	Ministry for Higher Education
Polytechnic Superior Institute “José A. Echeverría” 
Havana University
•	Civil Defence
•	Cuban Workers Union (CTC)
•	National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP)

These institutions will participate through their involvement in the multi-stakeholder National Co-ordination Committee and will be involved in making decisions and executing the project.
In order to support capacity building, the task teams will be composed from specialised agencies and institutions, which have been appointed by the respective ministries to perform the specific tasks.

Information dissemination

Dissemination of information is key to the success of the project, which depends greatly on the capacity to secure involvement and commitment from all stakeholders. It is recognized that dissemination of information amongst stakeholders, and from ministries to civil society should take place throughout the course of the project. This relaying of information is one of the purposes of having the multi-stakeholder committee. In addition, particular effort is to be placed at the beginning of the project to secure stakeholders’ buy-in, and at the end of the project to secure stakeholders commitment to implementation of the NIP.
Information will be disseminated using following methods: 

•	Through holding meetings with all relevant stakeholders;
•	Through conducting awareness rising and capacity building activities for the relevant experts and decision makers;
•	Through wide dissemination of the NIP and its components (e.g. inventories) to all relevant stakeholders;
•	Through making data and information available to requesting institutions or individuals;
•	Through the establishment of an Internet site;
•	Through the active involvement in the distribution of information by the local branch offices of the relevant Ministries;
•	Through the use of public communications tools and media such as public broadcasting, newspapers and other publications to disseminate information and raise awareness; 
•	Through the inclusion of relevant information in educational material.

deliverables
The following reports will be produced in the course of the project:
Type/Title of the report	Delivery Time (pm)	Language of the 
reports	
Progress Reports			
First Quarterly Report	04	Spa/En	
Second Quarterly Report	07	Spa/En	
Third Quarterly Report	10	Spa/En 	
Fourth Quarterly Report	13	Spa/En	
Fifth Quarterly Report	16	Spa/En	
Sixth Quarterly Report	19	Spa/En	
Seventh Quarterly Report	22	Spa/En	
Final Report	24	Spa/En	
Technical Reports			
1. National Profile for POPs management	09	Spanish/En summary	
2. POPs Inventories in Cuba	11	Spanish/En summary	
3. Information Exchange Network	13	Spanish/En summary	
4. Objectives and priorities for POPs	14	Spanish/En summary	
5. Terms of Reference for the POPs National Implementation Plan	15	Spanish	
6. Draft POPs National Implementation Plan	21	Spanish	
7. Final POPs National Implementation Plan	24	Spanish/En 	

Workshops and training
At least twelve stakeholder workshops and three trainings will be held in the course of the project:
W-1	to establish the National Coordination Committee; define the roles and responsibilities of its members; revise and approve the project work plan and the implementation arrangements and insure the commitment of the main stakeholders involved in the management of POPs (02 pm)
W-2	to raise awareness of decision makers and other interested groups (03 pm)
W-3	to establish task teams and define responsibilities to insure the development of the different sections of the national profile, particularly those sections relevant to POPs (04 pm)
W-4	to present and adopt the National Profile (09pm)
W-5	to review the second technical report and validate the Inventory on POPs (11 pm)
W-6	to identify and validate national needs for the establishment of an information exchange network (06 pm)
W-7	to review the third technical report (12 pm)
W-8	to review and adopt criteria for the establishment of national priorities and objectives for action and a national strategy for the management of POPs (12pm)
W-9	to develop a national implementation plan (13 pm)
W-10	to define objectives and results of the National Implementation Plan and prepare the ToR for the task teams responsible for the elaboration of specific plans of action (15pm)
W-11	to review the draft POPs National Implementation Plan (20 pm)
W-12 	to review the final POPs National Implementation Plan (24 pm)

T-1	to train in the execution of POPs inventories (05 pm)
T-2	to train on risk assessment (12 pm) 
T-3	to train on cost/benefit analysis and the application of cleaner production practices, with special emphasis in best available technologies and best environmental practices (13 pm)

Project Implementation Plan for the Country	Project months	
Activities	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	
I.	Determination of Coordinating Mechanisms and Organization of Processes																									
1.1.1	Designation of Project Coordination Unit (PCU)																									
1.1.2	National Coordination Committee establishment																									
1.1.3	Assignment of roles and responsibilities																									
1.1.4	Strengthening of PCU &NCC																									
1.2.1	Finalization of work plan and timetable																									
1.3.1	Organise high level stakeholder inception workshop 																									
1.4.1	National awareness raising activities																									
	National Coordination Committee meetings		x		x		x		x		x	x		x		x		x			x		x		x	
II.	Establishment of POPs Inventory and Assessment of Infrastructure &Capacity																									

Legend:
	
      Progress report
	
      Technical report

2.1.1	National Profile for POPs management inception 																									
2.1.2	Development of National Profile 																									
2.1.3	Review and endorsement of draft National Profile																									
2.2.1	Inception of inventory work																									
2.2.2	Development of inventory																									
2.2.3	Validation and endorsement of the inventory																									
2.2.4	Dissemination of National Profile and POPs Inventory 																									
2.3.1	Institutional capacity needs assessment																									
2.3.2	Economic and social implications of POPs																									
2.3.3	Assessment of enforcement capacity, laboratory and research &development capacity 																									
2.4.1	Identification of health and environment issues 																									
III.	Establishment of an Information Exchange Network on Chemicals																									
3.1.1.	Establishment of an information system on POPs																									
3.1.2.	Inception of work for the establishment of the network																									
3.1.3.	Identification and validation of national needs																									
3.1.4.	Development of Protocols																									
3.1.5.	Development of a general work strategy 																									
3.1.6.	Infrastructure adaptation																									
3.1.7.	Training for network users																									
3.1.8.	Moderated discussion list																									
3.1.9.	National Focal Point Web Page																									
3.1.10	Creation of electronic libraries																									
3.1.11	National Information Registry																									
3.1.12	Electronic Newsletter																									
IV	Priority Setting and Determination of Objectives for Action																									
4.1.1.	Training Workshop on Risk Assessment																									
4.1.2.	Elaboration on first draft of national priorities																									
4.1.3.	Review and endorsement of the prioritisation																									
4.2.1	Elaboration on first draft of national objectives																									
4.2.2	Review and endorsement of national objectives																									
4.2.3	Development of a draft national strategy for POPs management																									
4.2.4	Review and endorsement of the national management strategy																									
V	Prepare draft National Implementation Plan																									
5.1.1	Establish task teams to develop different sections of NIP 																									
5.1.2	Organize a workshop on NIP development																									
5.1.3	Training on sound POPs management																									
5.1.4	Identification on POPs management options 																									
5.1.5	Determine the need for alternative technologies																									
5.1.6	Provide training in cost/benefit analysis																									
5.1.7	Evaluation of the costs and benefits																									
5.2.1	Organization of NIP planning workshop																									
5.2..2	Elaboration of the NIP																									
5.2.3	Establishment of NIP targets, time frames for their achievement, indicators of success																									
5.2.4	Evaluation of NIP implementation costs																									
5.2.5	Elaboration of portfolio of projects																									
5.2.6	Development of information exchange and education strategy																									
VI	Endorsement of POPs National Implementation Plan by stakeholders																									
6.1.1	Stakeholder review and revision of the draft NIP																									
6.1.2	Preparation of information document for decision makers																									
6.1.3	Endorsement of NIP through national workshop																									
6.1.4	Finalization and wide dissemination of NIP																									

Budget (GEF component)
Component	Number of Units	Unit Cost	Total Cost in US $	
1. Determination of coordinating mechanisms and organization of processes	
Technical assistance and support staff (local, through out the Project2)	30 man-month	1,500	45 000	
Technical assistance (international)	1 man-month	10,000	10,000	
Equipment3 	 		25,000	
NCC Workshops	3	2,000	6,000	
Travel (National and International Consultants)	 		4,000	
Operation costs throughout the project4			40,400	
Information dissemination 5 and Advocacy raising activities throughout the project	 		17,000	
Sub-total	 		147,400	
2. Establishment of a POPs inventory and assessment of infrastructure	
Technical assistance (local)	25 man-month	1,500	37,500	
Technical assistance (international)	3 man-month	10,000	30,000	
Training (one week) 2.2.1	25 people	300	7,500	
NCC Workshops/task teams meetings	4/5	2,000/200	9,000	
Travel (National and International Consultants)			7,000	
Indicative sampling and analysis6			50,000	
Information dissemination			8,000	
Sub-total			149,000	
3. Establishment of a Information Exchange Network on Chemicals	
Technical assistance (local)	10 man-month	1,500	15,000	
Technical assistance (international)	1 man-month	10,000	10,000	
Equipment7			27,500	
Training (one week) 3.1.7.	12	300	3,600	
Travel (National and International Consultants)			4,000	
Sub-total			60,100	

2  Includes cost of hiring expertise/assistance on a short term basis and for the duration of the project
3	Computers, fax, copy machine, data-projector, etc.
4	Includes various operational costs such as vehicle maintenance costs, communication costs, consumables and sundries.
5	Translating, editing and printing of reports. Includes and information campaign for the dissemination of information and results.
6	Includes costs of contracting laboratories for sampling and analysis of contaminants in  the environment.
7	Includes computers, modems, network cards, etc.

4. Priority setting and determination of objectives 	
Technical assistance (local)	5 man-month	1,500	7,500	
Technical assistance (International)	1 man-month	10,000	10,000	
Training (one week) (4.1.1.)	14 persons	300	4,200	
NCC Workshops	2	 2,000	4,000	
Travel (National and International Consultants)	 	 	4,000	
Dissemination of information	 	 	4,000	
Sub-total	 	 	33,700	
5.Formulation of a National Implementation Plan and specific Action Plans 	
Technical assistance (local)	18 man-month	1,500	27,000	
Technical assistance (International)	2 man-month	10,000	20,000	
Training of the task teams (5.1.3 and 5.1.6)	4 groups	1,000	
4,000 	
NCC Workshops/task team meetings	4/5	2,000/200 	
9,000	
Travel (National and International Consultants)	 	 	7,000	
Dissemination of information	 	 	6,000	
Sub-total	 	 	73,000	
6. Endorsement of National Implementation Plan by stakeholders	
Technical assistance (local)	4 man-month 	1,500	6,000	
Technical assistance (International)	1 man-month	10,000	10,000	
Broad-based final workshop	1	 	4,500	
Travel (National and International Consultants)	 	 	4,000	
Dissemination of information 	 	 	12,000	
Sub-total	 	 	36,500	
Total Cost of Enabling Activities	 	 	499,700	

Budget (Country in Kind Component)
Component	Number of Units	Unit Cost	Total Cost in US $	
Part time input of state employees	40 man-month	1,500	60,000	
Communication costs (internet etc.)			25,000	
Office/meeting facilities			20,000	
Total in kind contribution			105,000	

Annex 1

Background on Cuba 
The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago consisting of the Island of Cuba as the main territory, the Island of Juventud and approximately 4,195 keys and small un-habited islands located in the western portion of the Antilles insular arch. In the north it limits with the Florida Peninsula, in the south with Jamaica and the Caribbean Sea, in the west with the Golf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula and in the East with el Paso de los Vientos and the Atlantic Ocean. 
The archipelago has a territorial extension of 110,860 Km2, of which 108,462 Km2 correspond to the main island. Its coasts include more than 200 bays and 300 beaches. 75% of the territory consists of plains, 18 % are mountains and the remaining 4 % are wetlands. 
Current population in Cuba ascends to 11,217,100 inhabitants, of which approximately 2,200,000 are located in the country’s capital city. 75.3 % of the country’s population lives in urban areas and 24.7 % in rural areas.
Population indicators reaffirm the tendency that the country’s population is of slow growth, progressive aging and high urbanization. Its fecundity and mortality are very low, presenting general indexes very similar to those of developed countries. 
Cuban economy is essentially based on agriculture, although other lines with significant incidence can be identified, including the tourism sector, mining and fishing. Until the year 2000 and during seven consecutive years, there has been PIB growth, reaffirming the continuity of the economic recovery process.  
The country is characterized for being and importer of chemicals and does not have a large industrial infrastructure for their production. The most significant lines include, production of fertilizers, nickel and cobalt concentrates, copper and chromites, basic chemicals such as chlorine, sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid, oxygen, acetylene, chlorhidric acid and detergents, as well as extraction and refinery of petroleum and natural gas and the formulation of pesticides, herbicides and paints. 
Due to the fact that agriculture constitutes a fundamental economic activity for the country, through out many years the management of chemicals at the national level was concentrated in the use of agro chemicals, determining that the development of management activities over use category should have a relative weight in the context of national policies and strategies oriented towards guaranteeing the safe management of chemicals throughout their life cycle.
A certain level of use of persistent organic pollutants is reported in Cuba, determining as fundamental issues a number of problems associated to the inadequate management of these substances, among which the following are included: existence of obsolete stockpiles including pesticide compounds; insufficient coverage of the treatment and final disposal of wastes; limitations and insufficiencies of the existing mechanisms for the exchange of information and  inter-sectoral coordination, and lack of compliance with the requirements for use, storage and transportation.
The Cuban Constitution recognizes the right to enjoy a healthy environment; this has given rise, at the national level, to a number of legal instruments aimed at guaranteeing the protection of the environment. Law 81/1997 on the environment constitutes the main legal framework on which the basis and principles for the development of policies and strategies for action are based. These recognize pollution prevention as a priority element.  
Under the aegis of this legal framework there are number of complementary regulations which are currently in effect and which cover the life cycle of chemicals and whose application is undertaken by the different economic sectors with specific competences in chemicals.  
The Republic of Cuba has participated actively in the global environmental scene. It is a Party of several international environmental agreements, including the:  Convention on Biodiversity and its Protocol on Biosafety, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol; Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol; Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and CITES. 
Cuba is a signatory to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, but has yet to ratify both Conventions. 

Country-specific information on POPs
Cuba does not have a National Profile for Chemicals Management, nor a particular one on Persistent Organic Pollutants, due to the relatively low level of priority which has been given to the development of these activities in the context of general environmental issues at national level.
The priority assigned to the main environmental problems associated to the provision and quality of water, deterioration of soils and fresh water pollution, has contributed to the fact that the issue of chemical management has not reached the necessary priority level within the work agendas of the decision makers at the different levels. 
A number of legal instruments restricting importation and use of POPs have been adopted since a few years ago. 

Existing Legislation on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Chemical 	National Decision Adopted	Legal instrument	
Aldrin	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide 	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Chlordane	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 49/2001 MINSAP	
DDT	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide 	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Dieldrin	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Endrin	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Heptachlor	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Hexachlorobenzene	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 49/2001 MINSAP	
Mirex	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 49/2001 MINSAP	
Toxaphene	Prohibition for Importation and use as pesticide	Ministerial Resolution 268/90 MINSAP	
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)	Prohibition for importation of electrical equipments containing PCB levels above 50 ppm	Ministerial Resolution 41/2001 CITMA	

At the national level the existence of obsolete POPs stockpiles has been identified. Cuba does not have a detailed inventory that would enable it to know what the existing problem is and thus allow for the proper evaluation of alternatives for the solution. 
Also a number of potential non-intentional by-product emission sources have been identified, which include the chemical and petrochemical industry, paper mill industry, metallurgic, land-fills for urban solid residues and other minor combustion sources. 
The main users of POPs can be identified in the electrical sector, which has a number of transformers and capacitors in use. The importation of electrical equipment containing levels of PCB above 50ppm is currently prohibited as a result of a national decision adopted in the framework of the implementation of the procedure for prior informed consent.
An Environmental Committee for the safe handling of chemicals currently exists. Due to its functional and inter-sectoral nature this Committee can operate as the coordinating committee for the implementation of this project.   

Executing organization
The Centre for Information, Management and Environmental Education of the Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, is the executing entity responsible for the promotion and development of actions aiming to the safe management of chemicals in general and POPs in particular. This entity chairs the Inter-ministerial Committee for the safe management of Chemicals and implements the national commitments for the National Focal Point for POPs, the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and the Designated National Authority for the Implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
The Centre also acts as the Technical Focal Point for the implementation of the Protocol concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities of the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Wider Caribbean.

Related Activities
The following activities/projects demonstrate Cuba’s efforts to manage and control POPs:
•	PNUMA Project for a National Inventory of PCBs and  obsoletes pesticides POPs;
•	GEF Project for the Regional Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances; 
•	PNUMA Project for a National Inventory of Dioxins and Furans emisions;
•	Project with RFI and the World Bank.  Strengthening of National Capacities for the sound management of Persistent Organic Pollutants;
•	GEF Project on Highly Polluted Bays;
•	Activities addressing the national implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure; 
•	Training activities for the management of POPs.

Cuba’s general priorities and objectives for POPs management are:
•	Assessment of national infrastructure and capacity for the management of POPs and chemicals in general;
•	Development and/or strengthening of national infrastructure and capacity for the management of POPs;
•	Identification, assessment and implementation of management alternatives addressing the remediation of contaminated sites and the stockpiles of obsolete chemicals and wastes;
•	Establishment of a national programme for the gradual reduction/elimination of PCB use;
•	Identification and assessment of environmental and health aspects of interest;  
•	Awareness raising and capacity building for decision makers, workers and the public in general;