The 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) entered into force on Monday, May 17, marking the start of an ambitious international effort to rid the world of PCBs, dioxins and furans, and nine highly dangerous pesticides.

"The Stockholm Convention will save lives and protect the natural environment - particularly in the poorest communities and countries - by banning the production and use of some of the most toxic chemicals known to humankind," said Executive Klaus Toepfer of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), under whose auspices the Convention was adopted.

Pressrelease from UNEP (en, fr, es)