News
Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Today, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Sergey Maslyak met with Ivana Živković, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Refrigerant management for developing countries
FRANCE/USA: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed a new two-year plan with ASHRAE focusing on the lifecycle management of refrigerants.
Countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe step up efforts for climate-friendly cooling at UNIDO-GEF meeting in Baku
Baku, Azerbaijan, 10–11 February 2026 – Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan met in Baku to validate a new regional project to be supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Kazakhstan updates regulations on pesticide storage and disposal
In Kazakhstan, changes are planned to the current order of the Ministry of Agriculture dated September 29, 2015, which regulates the rules for disinfecting pesticides and the maintenance of special stores (landfills), according to Kazinform agency.
Kazakhstan adopts 2026-2030 Waste Management Concept
The Government of Kazakhstan has approved the Waste Management Concept for 2026-2030, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Belarusian government approves Ecology state program for 2026–2030
MINSK (BelTA) – The government has approved the Ecology state program for 2026–2030. The corresponding resolution was signed by Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin on 30 December, the press service of the Belarusian government told BelTA.
The new updated edition of the brochure on “Procedures and Mechanisms on Implementation and Compliance with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions” is now available in English
This updated publication is intended to promote understanding of the procedures and mechanisms for promoting implementation and compliance with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
Updates in Technologies
Updated information on the list of destruction technologies approved by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been added to the page “ Destruction technologies for ODSs and POPs”.
Updates in Legislation section
The section on international law has been updated with current information on the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, the Stockholm Convention and the Basel Convention. Information has been added on the new European Union Regulations on ODS and F-gases, as well as on the restriction of the use of hazardous substances (RoHS 2).
Deputy Minister Ara Mkrtchyan Presented a Number of Regulations Related to Water and Waste Management in the National Assembly
Ara Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, submitted for debate in the second reading the package of draft laws, related to water and waste management
Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP37) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 3–7 November 2025, with sessions also streamed online.
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Meeting
A working meeting with representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was held at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Waste management strategy approved by Belarus government
The government has approved a strategy on managing production waste and consumption waste, BelTA learned from the Council of Ministers’ resolution No.444 of 18 August 2025 that has been published by the national legislation registry website.
China launches national implementation plan on fulfilling the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
On April 9, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced a national implementation plan on fulfilling the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer during the 2025-2030 period. The implementation plan came into effect immediately. It lists controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), explains the classification of their uses, and introduces measures to control them more effectively.
Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Albania, Armenia and Kazakhstan
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, supported by JSC Zhasyl Damu as well as the international partner, the Regional Centre of the Stockholm Convention, RECETOX (Brno, Czech Republic) — held a National Inception Meeting…
Meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in 2025
The meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions were held back-to-back in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May 2025.
Preparation of a draft Environmental Code has started in Belarus
Minsk, 1 May /BelTA/ The first meeting of the working group tasked with preparing the draft Environmental Code of Belarus took place. BELTA learned this from the press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Sound management of chemicals and waste
The meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions will be held from 28 April to 9 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Meeting under the theme of “Making visible the invisible,” parties adopted a series of decisions that seek to protect human health and the environment.
Online Training Brings Together Central Asian Experts to Strengthen Safe Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Pesticides
12 September 2025 – An online training titled “Persistent Organic Pollutants and Pesticides: From Threats to Safe Practices” was held within the framework of the ToxicNet Regional Network on Chemical Safety and Obsolete Pesticides, with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Center for Sustainable Development Assistance.
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Sergei Maslyak visited the Gomel region
On February 13, 2025 Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Sergei Maslyak visited the Gomel region. During his visit, the head of the environmental agency visited the Communal Unitary Enterprise “Complex for the Processing and Disposal of Toxic Industrial Waste of the Gomel Region” and the Svetlogorsk Pulp and Cardboard Mill.
Government approves National Waste Management Plan until 2033
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a roadmap that will define the architecture of the national waste management system as part of Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
Incineration of ODS and HFC from recycled cooling appliances in Ghana
The rotary kiln installed and operated by ZEAL environmental technologies (ZETL) has been identified to be suitable for the destruction of ODS gases and disposal of hazardous e-waste fractions. However, the proper operation of the plant requires further measures.
Global Environment Facility approves landmark USD 206.8 million programme to eliminate PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) by 2028
Geneva, 16 December 2024 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has approved a groundbreaking global programme dedicated to the elimination of a class of harmful chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) primarily found in electrical transformers around the world.
Publication: Destruction of ODS/HFC in cement kilns
A new COPA publication is out: The Destruction of ODS/HFC in cement kilns.
Waste-to-Energy destroys Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), study shows
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities offer a highly effective solution for the destruction of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), a new UK government study found.
Montreal Protocol delegates discuss and adopt decisions to address ozone layer protection and other environmental challenges
BANGKOK, 5 NOVEMBER 2024 – Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol and other stakeholders convened for the combined thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (COP13) and Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP36) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 October to 1 November 2024.
The Ministry of Environment establishes cooperation with UNIDO to protect the ozone layer
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Serhiy Vlasenko, discussed potential areas of cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Senior Coordinator for Ukraine, Stefan Sikars.
Use of ozone-depleting substances in Belarus down 60 times since 1989
MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) – Use of ozone-depleting substances in Belarus has decreased by more than 60 times since 1989, reads a review for the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, which is celebrated on 16 September, BelTA learned from the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet) at the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry.
Decomposing refrigerants with industrial waste
SOUTH KOREA: Researchers from the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) claim to have developed a technology to decompose R134a refrigerant using an industrial waste product.
Entry into force of EU Regulations 2024/573 (on fluorinated greenhouse gases) and 2024/590 (on substances that deplete the ozone layer)
On March 11, 2024, EU Regulation 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gas) and EU Regulation 2024/590 on substances that deplete the ozone layer entered into force, replacing previous EU Regulations 517/204 and 1005/2009.
Changes to Legislation in the Field of Waste Management Have Been Adopted in Belarus
The Law of the Republic of Belarus № 333-Z “On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Waste Management” has been published by the national legislation registry website today.
Meeting with Rosatom State Corporation Representatives was held in Ministry of Natural Resources of Belarus
28.11.2023. Today Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Andrey Khudyk held a meeting with representatives of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.
Montreal Protocol delegates replenish the Multilateral Fund and address emerging challenges
NAIROBI, 30 OCTOBER 2023 – Parties and other stakeholders convened for the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP35) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23 to 27 October 2023.
ODS/HFC Reclamation and Destruction Technologies
This ODS/HFC Reclamation and Destruction Technologies study summarizes information on the conditions, challenges, available technologies,and current state of ODS/HFC reclamation and destruction practices in Article 5 countries. It became clear during the analysis that technology cannot be studied in isolation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection explained what work is being done in Belarus to preserve the ozone layer
Around the world, September 16 marked the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Along with global climate warming, this environmental issue is currently one of the most pressing for humanity.
World Ozone Day 2023
This year World Ozone Day celebrations were highlighted by the special visit of the honorary guest the Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat to the Republic of Armenia.
"I’m sure that the transferred equipment will contribute to the efficient and environmentally safe collection and recycling of ODS and POPs," says Andrey Khudyk
Today, during a tour of the exhibits at the 2nd International Specialized Exhibition ECOLOGY EXPO 2023, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Andrei Khudyk presented a certificate of transfer of the equipment for the efficient and environmentally safe collection of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the head of JSC BelVTI.
Meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in 2023
The meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions were held back-to-back in Geneva, Switzerland from 1-12 May 2023.
Kazakhstan is learning how to properly dispose of waste and restore land – Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
April 14, 2023. Astana. KazTAG – To ensure the sustainable disposal of waste containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan is implementing a joint project with the United Nations Organization for Sustainable Development, announced Mansur Oshurbayev, Director of the Department of State Policy and Waste Management at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Montreal Protocol delegates meet again in person for the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Parties
MONTREAL 7 NOVEMBER 2022 – Parties and other stakeholders convened for the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP34) in Montreal, Canada, from 31 October to 4 November 2022. The Montreal Protocol is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year and being in the birthplace of the Montreal Protocol for the meeting was befitting. The parties concluded their first in-person MOP since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a number of key decisions reached after rounds of lengthy negotiations.
Senators ratify amendments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Minsk, September 26 /BelTA corr./ At the tenth session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly’s seventh convocation, senators approved the bill “On the Ratification of the Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,” BelTA’s correspondent reports.
Verkhovna Rada passed the law on waste management
On Monday, June 20, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading and in general the long-awaited bill № 2207-1-d “On Waste Management.”
Meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions
The meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions were held back to back in two segments: an online segment held from 26 to 30 July 2021 and a face-to-face segment held from 6 to 17 June 2022 in Geneva.
Ukraine’s waste management priorities set out
On November 23, 2021, acting Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strelets spoke at the National forum “Waste management in Ukraine: legislation, economy, technologies” set out the state priorities.
Sustainable Development Day 2021 in Ukraine
By the invitation of the European Business Association (EBA), the national Project team participated in the Sustainable Development Day held on November 11, 2021, in Kiyv.
National Project Team at the Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit 2021
The national Project team participated in the Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit 2021 (GMIS 2021) at the invitation of its organizing committee. The summit was jointly initiated by the UAE and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Technical evaluation group meeting in Ukraine
On September 29, 2021, a meeting of the Technical Evaluation Group (TEG) of the Ukrainian part of the project for coordinated management of ODS and POPs disposal was held. The hybrid meeting, offline in the Cherkasy City Council and online in Zoom, was dedicated to the review of the project “Terms of reference for procurement, installation and supply (turnkey) for national disposal equipment ODS/POPs/PCBs, Ukraine.” The center will be established at LLC “Ukravit Science Park” (LLC “Factory of Agrochemicals,” Cherkasy region, Cherkasy).
The Project national team participated the 12th European Sustainable Energy Week in Ukraine
The 12th European Sustainable Energy Week in Ukraine started October 2, 2021 as part of the information campaign dedicated to the European Green Deal (Green Deal EU) and will last until October 29, 2021 and be under the slogan “Opening green potential together”. This year the host city in Ukraine is Ternopil.
Last big item of thermal destruction system was installed at Belarusian facility
On September 1, 2021 the chimney of the thermal destruction system was installed at the site of the Gomel toxic industrial waste treatment and disposal facility, a unitary utility enterprise located in Dubrovka village, Belarus.
Project team at Ukraine 30: Ecology forum
The team of the Regional demonstration project on coordinated management of ODS and POP disposal participated in Ukraine 30: Ecology all-Ukrainian forum held on June 7–9, 2021.
Updates in Legislation section
The section dedicated to the international legislation and legislation of the participating countries was updated with new sections where readers can familiarize with the lists of Armenian and Kazakh laws and regulations.
Second session of Project Steering Committee of GEF-UNIDO project
On May 27, 2021, the second session of the Project Steering Committee of the project on the coordinated management of ODS and POP disposal in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Armenia took place.
GEF-UNIDO project presented at round table on improvement of waste management system
The Regional Demonstration Project for Coordinated Management of ODS and POP disposal in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Armenia was presented at the Improvement of the Waste Management System round table held on June 4, 2021, at the international exhibition-forum ECOLOGY EXPO 2021 in Minsk.
Waste management will be discussed at ECOLOGY EXPO 2021 in Minsk
On June 3–5, 2021, the major Belorussian exhibition dedicated to environment protection, ECOLOGY EXPO 2021 Exhibition and Forum, will be held at Minsk BelExpo exhibition center.
Regional recycling network for ODS- and POP-containing wastes presented at session of Project Steering Committee
On May 27, 2021, a session of the Project Steering Committee was held.
It took place the final workshop of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on "Regional Demonstration Project for Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal"
The project was implemented jointly by the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization with funding of GEF Trust Fund.
Forthcoming commissioning of first hazardous waste destruction plant in Belarus announced at press conference in Minsk
On May 14, 2021, a press conference was held in Minsk with the topic “National potential for hazardous waste management. Implementation of the international technical assistance project, Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Armenia (regional demonstration project).”
Press conference dedicated to the GEF-UNIDO Project will be held at National Press Center of the Republic of Belarus
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus (MNREP) arranges the press conference on the topic: “National potential for hazardous waste processing. Implementation of the project “Regional Demonstration Project for Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia”.
Belorussian Inventory System for Polychlorinated Biphenyls
A new article, PCB inventory in Belarus, was published presenting the up-to-date inventory system for polychlorinated biphenyls in the Republic of Belarus.
New UNIDO Interactive Publication About Reaching Sustainable Development Goals Through the Montreal Protocol
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) presented an interactive publication, Montreal Protocol and Beyond, with 17 stories showing how the implementation of the Montreal Protocol improves people’s lives.
GEF-UNIDO Project Included in State Program for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for 2021–2025 of the Republic of Belarus
By decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 99 dated 19.02.2021, State Program for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for 2021–2025 was approved.
Construction works at installation site of thermal destruction system started in Belarus
On March 20, 2021 construction works at the installation site of the supplied thermal destruction system started at the site of the Gomel toxic industrial waste treatment and disposal facility, a unitary utility enterprise located in Dubrovka village, Belarus.
Thermal waste treatment plant supplied to Belarus
On December 23–25, 2020 Gomel toxic industrial waste treatment and disposal facility, a unitary utility enterprise located in Dubrovka village, Belarus, received a KTO-type thermal waste treatment plant (KTO is acronym for incinerator).
Project team visited Cherkasy in Ukraine
On October 20, 2020, the national team of the GEF-UNIDO project for coordinated management of ODSs and POPs disposal visited Cherkasy, a Ukrainian town.
UNIDO celebrates World Refrigeration Day with partners
On World Refrigeration Day 2020, the Montreal Protocol Division of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat, organized an online webinar on the impact and importance of refrigeration. Experts representing National Ozone Units, governments and the private sector shared their views on the opportunities provided by the Kigali Amendment to strengthen institutions, drive policy changes and transfer technology in support of sustainable solutions in the refrigeration sector.
Study tour to Finnish enterprises
In the end of February 2019 the team of the project for coordinated management of ODS and POP disposal in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Armenia visited Finland to learn from the local experience in environmentally sound destruction of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and persistent organic pollutants (POP).
The project team studied the Finnish experience
On February 5–6, 2019, to learn from the European experience in application of hazardous waste treatment technologies, representatives of the project team of the GEF-UNIDO project, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Gomel toxic industrial waste treatment and disposal facility, BelVTI company, and construction and engineering organizations of the Gomel oblast visited several Finnish facilities.
Albania steps up fight against climate change
Albania has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. It will reduce use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases used mainly in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, which are thousands of times more harmful to the climate than CO2. The Kigali Amendment, which entered into force in January 2019, amends the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer to include substances – including hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) – which do not damage the ozone layer but are known to have high global warming potential.
GEF-UNIDO project team studied Mexican experience in disposal of hazardous wastes
On October 21–26, 2018, a delegation of representatives of the project team of the GEF-UNIDO project, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Gomel toxic industrial waste treatment and disposal facility visited Mexico.
UNIDO wins award for projects phasing-out hazardous pesticide
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has won an award for its extraordinary work implementing projects to phase out methyl bromide, a highly toxic gas once used extensively in agro-industry to control a wide variety of pests.
Greening industry to preserve our planet for future generations
With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) underway in Bonn, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is restating its support for the Paris Agreement as a crucial step towards achieving a greener, sustainable future.
Vienna Talks on the Kigali Amendment concluded today
Representatives of 55 countries gathered in Vienna from 13 to 15 June for a special event on the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to discuss the opportunities, challenges and key actions for the phase-down of powerful greenhouse gases called hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. The ‘Kigali Amendment – Vienna Talks’ was jointly organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the governments of Italy and Austria and brought together representatives of developing countries, as well as ozone officers and experts from the academic and private sectors.
Up to 340 million tons of CO2-equivalent per year avoided thanks to UNIDO activities
Between 1990 and 2015, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) helped avoid the use and potential emission of 340 million tons of CO2-equivalent per year. This is equivalent of 71 million passenger vehicles driven for a year.