The Stockholm Convention (also known as the POP Convention), banning the world's twelve most dangerous chemicals, entered into force on Monday, 17 May 2004. "The ban of the so-called 'Dirty Dozen' is a tremendous success for environmental and health protection. Eliminating the use of substances such as DDT and dioxins worldwide is a milestone on the road to a comprehensive system of chemicals safety," said Federal Environment Minister Juergen Trittin. Germany was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention and is bidding for the future headquarters of the Convention Secretariat to be established in Bonn.
The POP Convention (POP stands for persistent organic pollutants) aims for a worldwide ban on the manufacture and use of 12 of the most hazardous chemicals. Among these are eight plant protection agents, for example DDT, and dioxins and furans, as well as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and hexachlorobenzene. These substances are distinguished by their toxicity, longevity, and their characteristic of becoming concentrated in the environment and the food chain. The continued, restricted use of DDT will be permitted in order to combat mosquitoes carrying malaria, as effective, affordable substitutes are not available in all countries. The Convention was signed in Stockholm in May 2001 and was the result of negotiations led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The German Government supports the City of Bonn's bid for the future headquarters of the POPs Convention Secretariat. "The new UN Campus in Bonn, on the former site of the Federal Parliament, is the right place for the Secretariat of the POPs Convention," said Federal Environment Minister Juergen Trittin. Switzerland and Italy are bidding for the POPs Secretariat alongside Germany, and all three countries are also seeking to attract the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention (PIC). From a German perspective, bringing the two chemicals Secretariats together in Bonn would considerably enhance the efficiency of their work, especially as the PIC Interim Secretariat is currently split between two sites in Geneva and Rome. The arrival of the two Secretariats would provide an important boost to the German Government's plans to turn Bonn into a location for international organisations active in the sectors of environment, development and health.