UNDP Maldives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy (MCCEE) and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), continues to make strides in addressing the risks posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These hazardous chemicals pose significant threats to human health and the environment, making their elimination a crucial step towards sustainable development in the Maldives.

A joint Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the GEF-6 POPs project and the GEF-7 ISLANDS project was held on December 11, 2024. The meeting reviewed progress, addressed challenges, and endorsed the work plan, budget, and procurement plan for 2025.

Key Achievements

In October 2024, MCCEE signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ministry of Health to hand over critical infrastructure, including:

• Medical Waste Handling Facility (MWHF) in HA. Baarah: The first of its kind in the Maldives, this facility will ensure the environmentally sound disposal of hazardous medical waste, replacing open burning with best practices to protect public health and the environment.

• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipment: Delivered to the National Health Laboratory (NHL), this advanced tool will detect heavy metals such as mercury and lead in various mediums, contributing to informed policymaking on environmental health issues.

These advancements strengthen healthcare waste management infrastructure and align with Maldives’ commitments under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.

Upcoming Milestones

The POPs project will supply consumables for the ICP-MS by January 2025. Additionally, significant progress is being made toward:

• Operationalizing an Interim Hazardous Waste Management Facility in Addu City, with handover to WAMCO planned for early 2025.

• Establishing an Interim Hazardous Chemical Storage Facility in R. Vandhoo, which will safely collect and store hazardous chemical waste for re-export and disposal.

These initiatives mark a significant step forward in tackling hazardous waste management, safeguarding public health, and ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for future generations in the Maldives.