Basic Data · Web viewCountry-specific legislation under the requirements of Basel Convention on...

2019 Project Implementation Report

2019Project Implementation Review (PIR)

Elimination of Obsolete Pesticide StockpilesBasic Data................................................................................................................................................Overall Ratings.........................................................................................................................................Development Progress.............................................................................................................................Implementation Progress..........................................................................................................................Critical Risk Management.........................................................................................................................Adjustments..............................................................................................................................................Ratings and Overall Assessments............................................................................................................Gender.....................................................................................................................................................Social and Environmental Standards........................................................................................................Communicating Impact.............................................................................................................................Partnerships.............................................................................................................................................Annex - Ratings Definitions......................................................................................................................

Page 1 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportA. Basic DataProject InformationUNDP PIMS ID 4905GEF ID 4737Title Elimination of Obsolete Pesticide Stockpiles and

addressing POPs Contaminated Sites within a Sound Chemicals Management Framework in Armenia

Country(ies) Armenia, ArmeniaUNDP-GEF Technical Team ChemicalsProject Implementing Partner GovernmentJoint Agencies (not set or not applicable)Project Type Full Size

Project DescriptionThe objective of the project is to protect human health and the environment globally as well as locally through elimination of POPs and obsolete pesticide stockpiles, and addressing assocaited contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework. The project is directed jointly by the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Ministry of Emergency Situations in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. It will meet this objective by eliminating a large POPs pesticide burial site that represents the major POPs stockpile and waste legacy for the country as well as residual obsolete pesticide stores at 24 locations. In total, approximately7,100 t of POPs waste in the form of heavily contaminated soil, 1,050 t of POPs pesticides and other obsolete pesticides will be recovered, secured and ultimately treated and destroyed in an environmentally sound fashion. A further 12,700 t of less severely POPs contaminated soil will be securely contained. Additionally the project will provide critically needed hazardous waste infrastructure and national technical capability for the ongoing management of POPs and other chemical hazardous wastes as well as supporting the strengthening of institutional and regulatory capacity within an overall chemicals management framework.

Project ContactsUNDP-GEF Regional Technical Adviser Mr. Maksim Surkov ([email protected])Programme Associate Ms. Livia Buzova ([email protected])Project Manager Ms. Gayane Gharagebakyan

([email protected])CO Focal Point Mr. Armen Martirosyan ([email protected])GEF Operational Focal Point Mr. Erik Grigoryan ([email protected])Project Implementing Partner Mr. Artavazd Davtyan, Colonel

([email protected])Other Partners (not set or not applicable)

Page 2 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportB. Overall RatingsOverall DO Rating Moderately UnsatisfactoryOverall IP Rating Moderately UnsatisfactoryOverall Risk Rating Moderate

Page 3 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportC. Development ProgressDescriptionObjectiveProtection of health and environment through elimination of obsolete pesticide stockpiles and addressing contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management strategyDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target

levelLevel at 30 June 2018 Cumulative progress since project start

Obsolete pesticides (OPs) stockpiles including POPs pesticides (Category 1 waste) and highly contaminated soil (Category 2 waste) are securely packaged and/or stored pending elimination; low contaminated soil (Category 3 waste) stored pending backfilling

· The major current obsolete pesticide stockpile site and major remaining location of POPs pesticides is at the Nubarashen burial site in a state that creates a risk to health and the environment. And has expanded to create a significant contaminated site.

· Lesser stockpiles and associated site contamination exist unaddressed at 24 OP storehouses.

Contaminated soils classified sufficiently to constitute a potent risk remain uncontained at some of these storehouse sites.

1,052 t of consolidated obsolete pesticides (OPs) and POPs pesticides (Category 1 waste) excavated, packaged and securely stored pending removal and environmental sound disposal

4,123 t of highly contaminated POPs waste/soil (Category 2 waste) and8,500 t of POPs low contaminated waste/soil (Category 3 soil) excavated and safeguarded for temporary storage on-site

Removal of 1,052 t of consolidated obsolete pesticides (OPs) and POPs pesticides (Category 1 waste) for environmentally sound disposal

4,123 t of Category 2 waste safeguarded and securely stored on-site before treatment

8,500 t of Category 3 waste/soil securely stored on-site before backfilling

Assessment and clean-up design for the most significant obsolete persistent organic pollutant (POPs) pesticide waste site of Nubarashen is completed.

As a first priority site, the temporary storage for OPs/POPs waste is proposed to be installed near Nubarashen site to minimize environmental and logistical risks and costs. The technical specifications and the engineering design of the storage are developed.

The transit of OPs/POPs waste through Georgia territory has been identified as a project challenge. In October 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia sent a formal note to the MoFA of Georgia expressing Armenia’s interest in transit of hazardous waste (HW) through Georgia territory. Due to recent multiple structural changes of the governmental structures in Georgia no answer has been received yet. As an alternative, waste transit possibilities via Iran is being under consideration with the removal of the previous option for disposal of waste in internationally run HW facilities in that country due to concerns raised by the GEF based on the sanctions regime.

The former rubber storehouse of “Nairit” Chemical Plant located on the South of Yerevan in the soviet era large production district was considered feasible for the establishment of a hazardous chemical waste (HCW) storage/management facility.

Assessment and design of clean-up, temporary storage and removal works for the most significant persistent organic pollutant (POP) obsolete pesticide (OP) waste from Nubarashen site is completed and documented.

In order to minimize environmental and logistical risks, and costs, a temporary storage for OP/POPs (obsolete pesticides/persistent organic pollutants) waste is proposed to be installed near Nubarashen site. Accordingly, an engineering design package is developed, approved, and a local construction company is contracted for such works.

The full engineering design package of Nubarashen site clean-up and waste disposal works has addressed and suggested solutions for Category 2 (prime POPs contaminated soil) and Category 3 (low POPs content) waste excavation, displacement, safeguarding and secure storage before treatment and backfilling respectively.

The transit of OP/POPs waste through Georgia territory was under a focus as the project’s major challenge. The project proactively facilitated communications of national bodies with respective Georgian institutions, and supported a follow-up of approval developments of the new draft Law of Georgia on “Waste export, transit and import”, through this lobbying, in favor of

Page 4 of 49


The project supported the Ministry of Emergency Situations with conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening to evaluate feasibility for this building to serve as a hazardous waste storage site.

The transfer of the Nairit storage site to the Ministry of Emergency Situations ownership is approved by the Government of Armenia Decree N383-A, issued on 05 April, 2018.

waste transit permitting solutions.

In September 2018 the Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia sent a formal letter to the Minister of NP and Agriculture of Georgia informing on the need to transit the waste through Georgia's territory, and requesting information on the intent of the Government of Georgia in relation of providing waste transit permit. Formal response was not received, however in this and other several follow-up verbal communications the Georgian side provided assurance that a respective solution will be offered. In the result of these efforts, the issue of waste transit permitting through Georgia is included in the agenda of 10th session of Armenia-Georgia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic Cooperation and an Armenian-Georgian Business Forum (taking place in Armenia on 27-28 June 2019).

As an alternative, waste transit possibility via Iran remains under consideration.

Major stockpiles of OPs and POPs pesticide wastes have been disposed of in an environmental sound manner

No elimination of national stockpiles of obsolete has been attempted

Commercial arrangements made for the export and disposal of 1,052 t of Category 1 waste

Technology selection and demonstration along with commercial arrangements made for the treatment/disposal of 4,123 t of Category 2 waste

1,052 t of Category 1 waste exported and disposed

4,123 t of Category 2 waste treated/disposed

8,500 t of Category 3 waste/soil backfilled and monitored at the restored and stabilized Nubarashen ex-burial site

The design of a clean-up strategy/modality suitable for the removal/disposal of the waste from the Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site are completed.

An Expression of Interest submission has been requested (announced on 29 September 2017) for selection of Category 2 soil decontamination technology, to operate on-site, near Nubarashen burial site. Six (6) applications received from international consulting and technology companies.Representatives of five (5) companies visited Armenia and participated in the site visit (on 16 October 2017) and attended the pre-bid workshop held on 16-17 October 2017.

Two baseline and alternative options – respectively i) export and incineration abroad, and ii) in-country disposal / incineration of 1,052 t of Category 1 (concentrated pesticide) waste were extensively discussed and summed up by the PMB decision, subsequently used for structuring the Scope of Works of site clean-up and waste disposal works.

The scope for the two-phase international tender included: I phase - Expression of Interest, conducted through third and fourth quarters in 2018, when 5 companies from 8 applicants were pre-qualified for further selection; and II phase – initiated as RFP with two lots, then modified for an integral

Page 5 of 49


All companies delivered presentations on their recommended technology (including the sixth company connected via skype). The evaluation panel developed analysis on the event and proposed technologies. The conclusion was to conduct one tender capturing services for the whole site set-up, Category 1 and Category 2 waste treatment, Category 3 soil backfilling and for site restoration, closure. A feedback on such decision was sent out to all applicants.

Assessment and technical evaluation, carried out for identification of the modality of selection of a destruction technology and its operation (to take place abroad or in-country) for disposal/incineration of hazardous POPs/OPs waste from Nubarashen, is finalized, and the option of waste disposal abroad was approved by the PMB.

one scope under RFP (with flexible presentation of approaches) modality as per regional procurement office (ACP) recommendation, and later again modified for ITB (pre-determined set of steps for action on Nubarashen) modality and currently in process as ITB 003/19.

Based on the results of a selection process, the project and the government can take a number of strategic decisions related to future steps on Nubarashen. In case there are missing funds which are required to complement the GEF's funding for the field works and disposal of waste/treatment of soil and stabilization of the site, the government will be approached to allocate sufficient funds on top of the currently committed 1.5 mln USD.

National legal instruments and regulatory framework for hazardous waste and contaminated sites update with gaps filled, conflicts resolved and consistent with relevant international requirements.

Current legal and regulatory framework for hazardous waste and contaminated site management has significant gaps and conflicting provisions

Completed analysis and definition of current gaps and requirements for legal and regulatory changes documented and actions agreed(to be completed when Component 3 inputs received)

Respectively updated regulatory framework for chemical HW management documented

The national legislation and regulatory framework which declare requirements for hazardous waste storage facility' establishment and operation were thoroughly reviewed and analyzed, with subject-specific gaps identified.

Specific norms, based on international best practices, were recommended as a reference for an engineering-design company, contracted by the project to perform the EIA and engineering design for reconstruction/development of the originally approved storage site.

Further reporting on this Output will be provided in the future years as the project progresses from initial implementation stage into core activity phase.

As per the national legislative requirements and for the valid and comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment – ESIA, addressing Nubarashen site works and temporary storage construction, all hazardous waste and contaminated site management related national legal and regulatory documents were analyzed, respective requirements referenced in the ESIA report, and all designed works comply to these requirements.

On 27 September 2018, the Government of Armenia (GoA) issued a Decree # 1029-N, introducing Amendments to the GoA Decree № 121-N 30.01.2003 “On approval of the licensing procedure for processing, neutralization, storage, transportation and emplacement activity of hazardous wastes in the Republic of Armenia”. All listed HW

Page 6 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Report(hazardous waste) management activities now are summarized under one term “handling”, and the Decree is titled “Approval of the procedure for licensing of HW handling in the Republic of Armenia”.

Importantly, in the original decree, all listed activities were under general licensing requirements, and in the amended decree, for each listed activity (e.g. processing, transportation, etc.) specific requirements for licensing are specified. This recommendation was summed in the project expert’s, earlier developed (in 2016/17) analytical report on gaps in licensing procedures and shared with the MNP. These changes will increase responsibility level and quality of work when handling hazardous steps at every step of its management process.

In response to the MNP request, the project supported development of the first draft package of legal regulations for phasing out of plastic bags (considered as u-POPs waste under uncontrolled combustion). The MNP modified legal provisions and amendments were reviewed to the related legislation and provided comments/suggestions.

Core national technical capacity in place relative to hazardous waste management, risk assessment and contaminated site management

Limited technical capacity in key areas of expertise and support infrastructure

Identification and documentation of key methodologies and scope for the required risk assessment and initial application in the project activities

Environmental and health risk assessment methodologies documented, disseminated and implemented as part of the national regulatory assessment process for chemical HW and contaminated site management

Institutional capacity gaps for national hazardous waste management were reviewed through a stakeholder consultation process and experts' assessments, and improvement priorities were identified.

Particularly, laboratory POPs and hazardous waste related analytical capacity gaps were assessed, and recommendations were reflected in the national laboratory enhancement strategy document (submitted to the Environmental monitoring center management with appreciation letters

In line with priorities identified through stakeholder consultations and expert assessment of institutional capacity gaps in HW management (recommendations were reflected in the national laboratory enhancement Strategy document adopted by the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center under the MNP administration), a number of analytical capacity skill improvement training sessions were conducted for technical staff of two national laboratories and governing bodies.

Page 7 of 49


Professionals in regulatory agencies, academia, NGOs and environmental service providers trained on their application

received).

Analytical capacity skills improvement training has been conducted during 23-25 August 2017, and two (2) pieces of analyzing equipment were purchased (will be delivered to beneficiaries after respective training) - see details under the Outcome 8.

The project developed a Report entitled “Review and update risk assessment and classification criteria” methodology, and, based on that, another Report entitled “Nubarashen Risk Assessment Report” was formulated, too. During the burial site clean-up works, the risk assessment methodology will serve as a guiding document for operational procedures and application of supervisory functions over staff training (tentatively first half of 2019) to be skilled for field works at the site.

In the reporting period, two hands-on training sessions were conducted for the specialists of the 3 national laboratories (9 men, 5 women) on use of project's purchased portable X-ray fluorescence XRF VANTA-C field analyzer, which later was used by specialists of Chemical Physics Institute (CPI) of the National Academy of Science of Armenia for sampling and analyses of contamination of water and land sediments by heavy metals and chloro-organic pesticides.

The project developed a report entitled “Review and update risk assessment and classification criteria” methodology, and, based on that, another report entitled “Nubarashen Risk Assessment Report” was produced. During the burial site clean-up works, the risk assessment methodology will serve as a guiding document for operational procedures and application of supervisory functions over the operational staff; for training of the staff to be skilled for safe on-site field works.

The progress of the objective can be described as: On trackOutcome 1Removal of priority OP and POPs pesticides waste from the Nubarashen burial site, secure containment of residual contamination on-site, site stabilization and restoration, with the site secured under appropriate institutional arrangements providing effective access limitations, monitoring and future land use control, all endorsed by an informed publicDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Detailed site assessment, design documentation, tender specification, implementation procedures including Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) procedures, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and required approvals in place to initiate Nubarashen burial site works

Preliminary site assessment completed during PPG

Conceptual design for waste excavation and containment, site stabilization completed during the PPG

Detailed design with supporting tender documents and site clean-up specifications developed

EIA and formal approvals in place

Operational

Implementation of designed works, conformance of operational procedures with approved conditions verified

A sub-contractor selected under assignment “Provision of services for Detailed Design, Technical Definition of Works, and Supporting Assessments/Studies required for the Removal of POPs Pesticides and Recovery of Associated Contaminated Soil along with Site Cleanup, Stabilization, Containment, and Monitoring applied to the Nubarashen Burial Site” had commenced on-site works early August 2017.

A number of documents such as the Technical engineering design, operational plan and cost estimates; Prevention and emergency plan; Technical specifications (ToR) for “Nubarashen site clean-up and POPs/OPs waste disposal works” were completed, and they served for composing the current tender package fro the clean-up operation.

“Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Risk

Page 8 of 49


No formal EIA or site approvals initiated

No national standards and procedures in place

procedures including EHS procedures in place and utilized

As of June 30, 2018, the following results/outputs were achieved and/or fully accomplished:Task 1 - Inception Report, EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) Plan, Sampling Plan, Training Activity Report, Operational Work Plan and Risk Assessment Methodology (drafts);Task 2 - Site Assessment and Characterization Report;Task 3 - Category 2 soil sampling and identification; Tasks 4 - Risk Assessment and Classification Criteria Review;Task 5 - Development of Nubarashen POPs/OPs waste Clean-up/Disposal Works Technical Design, Operational Plan with Prevention and Emergency Plan and Cost Estimates;Task 6 - Clean-up/disposal works Technical Specifications and Terms of Reference (ToR); andTask 7 – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report of the Nubarashen clean-up/disposal works.

Under Task 10 of the assignment, “Soil Sampling and Lab QA/QC Training” was delivered on 23-25 August 2017, by international trainers, to 29 stakeholder participants (15 women, 14 men). This leaves longer term capacity in the country in the area of soil sampling and analysis for POPs content.

Prevention and Emergency Plan” was developed and appended to the tender package, will also serve for training of operational and supervisory staff.

The “ITB 003/19 - Clean-up of Nubarashen POP/OP burial site and disposal of the waste” package was redesigned/updated per the Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP, UNDP Headquarters) comments, and re-submitted to ACP’s review and approval on 22 April 2019. Per the ACP suggestion the contract award conditions were developed and shared for comments.

Development of ESIA Report of Nubarashen clean-up/disposal works (including construction of temporary storage facility) continued, accompanied with public hearings in accordance with legislative requirements, the ESIA report submitted to the state Expertise Committee under the MNP for approval. Positive feedback from the MNP was received on 15.04.19, stating the feasibility of providing conditional positive expert conclusion (the approval is pending the report to be amended with data on disposal facility – subject to be selected through upcoming tender).

Volume of Category 1 waste excavated and removed and volume of Category 2 waste/soil excavated, displaced for temporary secure storage on-site and secure containment in stabilized Nubarashen ex-burial site

An estimated 5,175 t of Category 1 and Category 2 waste is found in and around the Nubarashen burial site

Risk assessments identified the need to ensure removal of

Excavation and packaging of 1,052 t Category 1 waste for secure temporary storage on-site

Excavation and safeguarding of 4,123 t of Category 2 waste for secure temporary

Removal of 1,052 t Category 1 waste for secure temporary storage

Displacement of 4,123 t of Category 2 waste for secure temporary storage on-site and

The format of the Terms of Reference (ToR) and implementation modality of the Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site cleanup and waste disposal/destruction tender was discussed and approved by the Project Management Board (PMB) at the meeting held on 25 May 2018.

Nubarashen POPs/OPs waste excavation and removal/disposal, site clean-up works

The Technical engineering design; Operational Plan and Cost Estimates; Technical Specifications for Nubarashen POP/OP waste excavation, removal (estimated 1,052 t Category 1 waste) and displacement (estimated 4,123+40 t Category 2/4 waste) were finalized and included in the tender package.

The implementation modality of Nubarashen Page 9 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reporthigh risk POPs waste storage on-site containment in

stabilized Nubarashen ex-burial site after environmentally sound treatment

Technical Design, Operational Plan and Cost Estimates, Technical Specifications are finalized as part of the tender package (Request for Proposals and the ToR), to be announced in July 2018.

In order to be ready to accept the removed packaged waste from Nubrashen site, a priority-based and alternative solution of establishing a temporary light construction storage near the Nubarashen site has been designed. Such storage is required for the removal of interim portions of the buried material for re-packaging and transfer to a more robust storage discussed above or for export. For it being a large enough space of around 1,200 sq.m, it can serve for the temporary storage of entire repacked material, before export to the destination of final disposal.

POP/OPs burial site cleanup and waste disposal tender has been discussed and approved by the Project Management Board (PMB). The Scope of Works (initially titled Terms of Reference/ToR for the I-stage EoI, and for II-stage RFP modality tender) for recommended second-stage ITB modality tender was developed, modified several times from a two-lot structure to one integral scope. At the end of this reporting period the structure the Contract Award mechanism was under discussion to be agreed by ACP, for launching the II-stage ITB tender with five (5) pre-qualified companies.

In order to construct the two-block 1,450 sq.m facility near Nubarashen site for temporary storage of removed 1,052 t repackaged Category 1 concentrated POPs waste, an ITB 115/18 local tender has been conducted and the selected local construction company “Vahagn” PC was awarded the contract. Construction works are scheduled to be launched during the next reporting period.

Three dedicated platforms for the storage have been identified, and as temporary infrastructural elements reflected in the Nubarashen site set-up engineering design package, to accept and securely store the displaced Category 2/4 (POPs contaminated soil) waste before treatment and Category 3 soil before their backfilling into a stabilized and re-engineered Nubarashen landfill.

Excavation, displacement and secure storage of 8,500 t of Category 3 soil and backfilling in stabilized Nubarashen ex-burial site

Containment of pure pesticide burial cells compromised

Contamination has spread to soil across and around the Nubarashen site"

Excavation, displacement of 8,500 t of Category 3 soil for secure temporary storage on-site

On-site secure permanent backfilling of 8,500 t of Category 3 soil at the restored and stabilized Nubarashen ex-burial site

Category 3 soil which is a low and moderately contaminated material will be subject to excavation to enable appropriate stabilization of the landfill (including high-density plastic lining and monitoring wells) before it will be placed back intact, along with Category 2 treated soil if that operation is successfully started and completed in the

Contaminated soil that covers the body of burial site and Category 3 (low POPs content) soil from within the site will be subject to excavation and displacement (followed by removal of Category 1 and displacement of Category 2/4 waste from landfill).

Page 10 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Report· Containment of pure pesticide burial cells compromised.

future.

Reporting under this Output is possible only after Category 1 and Category 2 related activities have been implemented.

More reporting is to follow in the future.

This will enable appropriate interim stabilization of the landfill (including high-density plastic lining with hydro-geologically secure engineered structure and monitoring wells) before it is backfilled along with Category 2/4 treated (decontaminated) soil/waste.

Availability of restoration, monitoring and access control provisions for the Nubarashen burial site and completion of civil works to stabilize the surrounding land and drainage system

Only temporary containment works in place involving basic drainage, and cover of the burial site itself

Site is generally intact but poorly maintained and sparsely vegetated, subject to erosion, drainage blockage and surrounding geotechnical and hydrogeological instability

Basic ground water monitoring capability in place

Site security and access control as part of an emergency measures order but general public access to area permitted

Upgraded and enforced public access controls

Upgraded access roads, security controls and site protection measures suitable for the active excavation and restoration works

Temporary repairs and modification to on-site upstream and downstream drainage to assure minimum water ingress during active site excavation and remediation works

Fully restored site with sustainable phytoremediation vegetation, appropriately fenced and gated with signage including a 100m buffer zone around the former burial site

Upgraded and functional site drainage system

Permanent measures maintain land stability upstream and downstream of site

Long term monitoring program in place and funded by national budgets

Institutional arrangements made respecting long-term land use of the site and surrounding territory

The project developed Nubarashen site clean-up design package that describes and suggests necessary actions for implanting required engineering and environmental measures for the ex-landfill stabilization, recapping, restoration, with monitoring and access control elements. The selected site clean-up service provider company will perform these tasks.

Yerevan City Mayor’s Decree and master plan (dated 27 June 2016) were issued for identification and allocation of the Nubarashen site and surroundings to be used for the project's activities.

The Decree on provision of land by Yerevan Municipality formalized the use of the burial site area and its surrounding lands, with controlled access and infrastructure development, aimed at implementation of excavation and clean-up works at Nubarashen burial site. This has been included in the “Nubarashen POPs/OPs waste excavation and removal, site clean-up and stabilization/restoration works” Technical Design documentation, as part of the tender package.

The project developed Nubarashen site clean-up engineering design package that describes and suggests necessary actions for implementation of required engineering and environmental measures for the landfill's interim and final stabilization, recapping, restoration, with monitoring and access control elements.All these elements are part of the ITB Scope of Work.

The latter also details a separate task requesting to develop and implement a post-closure site monitoring plan, which will then be transferred to the site custodian for execution after the project closure.

The Decree on provision of land (with exact mapping of the allocated area), which was issued by Yerevan Mayor office, formalized the permit for use of the burial site area and its surrounding lands.

Correspondingly, Voghjaberd community council issued a Decree # 34-a, dated 03 November 2018 on the allocation of respective area for installation of temporary storage facility, in the area administered by the community which is adjacent to Nubarashen site.

High level of public awareness, engagement and support for the clean- up activities and ongoing custody and monitoring arrangements for the Nubarashen burial site

Limited awareness on the site, its risks and activities being undertaken with

3 public consultation events held and 10 public documents/web/medi

5 public consultation events held and 15 public documents/web/medi

The first public discussion on the preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the “Nubarashen obsolete pesticide burial site waste excavation, safe disposal, and

An NGO, The Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), acted as the Initiator for ESIA report development and submission.

Page 11 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportsupported by appropriate awareness products

respect to its clean-upLimited awareness of the site, its risks and activities being undertaken with respect to its clean up.

a products produced a products produced (cumulative numbers)

Survey indicating the views of affected public stakeholders conducted upon completion

stabilization” task assignment has been held on 9 November 2017.

The objective was to present and notify the residents of the nearby Erebuni municipality of Yerevan and communities of Mushavan, Voghjaberd and Geghadir (potentially impacted by the project activities such as movement of HW cargos, and deployment of soil decontamination technology), as well as the concerned public sector (CSOs) on the project, planned to resolve the clean-up problem of Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site.

The second EIA public hearing of the “Nubarashen waste excavation, safe disposal, site clean-up and stabilization” task assignment was successfully held on 16 March 2018. Public concerns, comments and suggestions were taken into account and addressed in the EIA application.

The Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) NGO, acting as the Initiator on behalf of the Contractor, undertook the leading role in the EIA process. Public information on the results of the events was disseminated, as well as published online: http://armtimes.com/hy/article/125041http://www.lragir.am/index/arm/0/country/view/164708https://armenpress.am/arm/news/912295/masnagetnery-qnnarkel-en-nubarasheni-tunaqimikatneri.htmlhttps://goo.gl/ZXGhUHhttps://soundcloud.com/armradio/2303-2018ahttps://mediamax.am/am/news/special-report/27250/https://goo.gl/M6oSrJ

Comments, concerns and recommendations expressed during the 2nd and 3rd rounds of public hearings/consultations, which took place in this PIR cycle, were reflected in the ESIA report, firstly submitted for state environmental expert examination in September 2018. After two (2) rounds of review by the state expert-examination authority, questions/comments and remarks were addressed in the revised ESIA report which was submitted for final review/approval in November 2018.

Positive feedback from the MNP was received in April 2019, stating the feasibility of providing conditional positive expert conclusion. The final approval is pending the report to be amended with data on the waste disposal facility – subject to be selected through the upcoming tender.

Page 12 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportFollow-up public awareness campaign and public information events were organized at Mushavan, Geghadir and Voghjaberd impact communities, located nearby the Nubarashen site. This was aimed at increasing local awareness and capacity for addressing chemicals management through community-based approaches that add value to local, national and global level strategies in order to reduce releases of harmful chemicals, as well as ensure positive public perception towards the planned clean-up/waste disposal activities at Nubarashen site: http://awhhe.am/for-non-toxic-environment-from-local-to-global/.

A specialized one-day training for environmental mass-media representatives has been organized and delivered on 13 December 2017, the objective of which was to provide public information on the project activities, and to assist in improving the sectoral experience of mass-media representatives and journalists on environmental and technical issues pertaining to hazardous chemical waste management, associated risks and emergency responses, as well as ESIA procedures, with a specific focus on Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site. Training certificates were awarded to the participants – 9 women and 1 man (environmental photojournalist).

Availability of trained capability in the practical handling/management of chemicals HW and contaminated site clean-up

Limited national capability in the practical management of hazardous chemicals wastes and contaminated site clean-up

Training delivered to 20 national technical and regulatory staff in support of Nubarashen burial site HW waste excavation, packaging, secure storage, transportation and

Developed sustainable operational capability in the public and private sector for chemical HW and contaminated site clean-up management

Activities under this indicator will be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending upon the results of the preceding indicators.

More reporting is to follow in the next PIR cycle.

Activities under this indicator will be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending upon implementation status of the preceding indicators.


Page 13 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportsite restoration operations

The progress of the objective can be described as: Off trackOutcome 2Development of the national chemical hazardous waste (HW) management site and upgrading with secure storage and basic infrastructure capacities to allow the secure storage of chemical HWDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Availability of detailed design documentation, tender specification, implementation procedures including EHS procedures, EIA and required approvals to initiate the chemical HW management site development

Ministry of Emergency Situations site in Kotayk marz assessed as suitable for development

Preliminary conceptual design survey and cost estimate complete

Initial public consultation with authorities and local public undertaken

Developed detailed design with supporting tender documents and construction specifications for chemical HW site development

EIA and formal approvals in place

Operational procedures including EHS procedures developed and utilized

Implementation of designed works, conformance of operational procedures with approved conditions verified

The re-announced RFP 061/2016 for the provision of services on the design of construction works and operational planning for the development of a hazardous chemical waste (HCW) storage/management facility resulted in selection of the local designer company “Electronnakhagits” CJSC.

The preliminary site technical assessment and EIA for planned construction works have commenced for the development of a national hazardous chemical waste storage/management facility.

Tasks 1, 2 and 3 of the ToR were completed. Three outputs, i.e. (1) Inception Report, (2) Site Investigation Report and (3) Building and Infrastructure Assessment Report, were submitted and accepted. Partially, the renovation design with conceptual solutions were performed, addressing respective security measures.

The Operational SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) were drafted, and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) and technology studies were carried out which will be reflected in the final design of the works on Nubarashen.

During the ad-hoc special PMB meeting on 16 June 2017, it was decided to temporarily

The engineering design package (including technical drawings and spreadsheets for the repackaged OP/POP waste temporary storage construction) has been developed, and then approved by Yerevan Municipality. The corresponding ESIA process has been conducted.

Positive feedback from the MNP was received in April 2019, stating the feasibility of providing conditional positive expert's conclusion.

A local construction company is contracted, and installation of light-metallic construction storage is planned in the next reporting period.

The former rubber storehouse of “Nairit” Chemical Plant is still under the ownership of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, however the Government of Armenia considers an alternative plan for the entire “Nairit” Chemical Plant future development, and it is excluded from project's consideration for waste storage location.

Page 14 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportsuspend the HW storage design works, due to the concerns and grievance of the impact community, and make a political decision to select another alternative low-risk site/facility within a two-month period.

The newly selected and pre-assessed former rubber storehouse of “Nairit” Chemical Plant was considered feasible for the establishment of the hazardous chemical waste (HCW) storage/management facility. The allocation of the Nairit storage site is approved by the GoA Decree N383-A, issued on 05 April, 2018.

Further development of a storage under the Ministry of Emergency Situations' operational supervision was identified as a national hazardous waste storage/management capacity (not only for the POPs pesticides from Nubarashen) that broadens the scope of the initiative to the national level.

National chemical HW management site developed and operates to international standards and number of trained and equipped staff for the practical operation of the facility including safeguards and EHS practices available

No suitable chemical HW storage or management facilities available in Armenia

Construction and upgrading works of the national chemical HW management site completed to national and international standards

Training delivered to 10 national technical and regulatory staff in support of national chemical HW facility operations

National chemical HW management site operational and being used for the storage of chemical HW

National chemical HW management site utilized for general chemical HW management activities on a sustainable basis

Sustainable operational capability for chemical HW management facility developed

The former rubber storehouse of “Nairit” Chemical Plant located on the South of Yerevan in the soviet era large production district was considered feasible for the establishment of a hazardous chemical waste (HCW) storage/management facility.

The project supported the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) with conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening to evaluate feasibility for this building to serve as a hazardous waste storage site.

The transfer of the Nairit storage site to the Ministry of Emergency Situations ownership is approved by the Government of Armenia Decree N383-A, issued on 05 April, 2018.

Two 2-day sessions of training-seminars

The temporary light-metallic construction will be developed at Nubarashen site under the contract ITB 115/18 during the next reporting period.

Respective training for operational staff will be conducted under the contract 003/19 after this reporting period.

More reporting is to follow next year.

Page 15 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportwere organized and conducted on operation of hazardous chemical waste (HCW) facilities and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) measures, and overall 55 stakeholder representatives (51% women), participated and received certificates.

Number of public consultation held and public documents/web/ media products delivered to display high level of public awareness, engagement and enhancement support for the national chemical HW facility activities

Initial public consultations with local authorities and affected public stakeholders undertaken

3 public consultation events held and 5 public documents/web/media products delivered

5 public consultation events held and 10 public documents/web/media products delivered

Together with the MES, the Project team has organized a public consultation event on “Nairit” Chemical Plant storage facility, to have a round-table discussion involving interested parties on feasibility of reconstruction of the former rubber plant to accept re-packaged chemicals scattered in the plant area.

The event will be held in the next reporting period (7 August 2018).


Comments, concerns and recommendations expressed during the 2nd and 3rd round of public hearings/consultations were reflected in the ESIA report, addressing also storage related environmental and social aspects.

In a summary, by the end of this reporting period the following 8 most important public consultation meetings were held, and with at least 25 publications, TV/radio broadcasts were published or shown to the public:

2016 period:October 2016 (in MNP 21 participants, 9F+12M);October 2016 (Aurhus Center 21 participants,14F+7M)November 2016 (MNP, 20 participants, 8F+12M)

2017 period:May 2017 (Aurhus Center, 15 participants,10F+5M)May 2017 (MNP, 17 participants, 4F+13M)November 2017 (Erebuni district municipality, 10 participants, 4F+6M)November 2017 – RadioLur

2018-19 period:January 2018 – InvestMagazineMarch 2018 (Erebuni district municipality, 38 participants, 23F+15M), Azdarar Armenian TV channel and Yerevan RadioJuly 2018 (UN house, 18 participants, 7F+11M)June 2019 - Azdarar Armenian TV channel

Page 16 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportSuccessful operation of the facility to host treatment/remediation technology treating for soil highly contaminated with POPs pesticide in an environmentally sound manner.

No HW qualified site for the operation of HW treatment and soil remediation technology currently exist in Armenia that would meet project requirements.

(not set or not applicable)

Secure receiving and secure storage of approximately 100 t amount of additional soil highly contaminated with POPs pesticide) from OP storehouse cleanup activities.

Treatment and remediation of at least 7,100 t of Category 2 material from Nubarashen and OP storage site clean-ups or alternatively export of this material to suitable treatment and remediation facilities

An alternative/reserve solution of establishing a temporary light construction storage near the Nubarashen site is currently under design.

Such storage is required for the interim portions of re-packed material. For being large enough (around 1,200 sq.m), it can serve as temporary storage for the entire repacked material, before transportation to the destination of final disposal.

Activities under this indicator will be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending upon implementation status of the preceding indicators on the start of the actual excavation and stabilization works at Nubarashen.

More reporting is to follow in the next year's PIR.

Availability of trained and equipped staff for the practical operation of the Kotayk HW management facility including safeguards and EHS practices

Limited national capability in the practical management of hazardous chemicals wastes and particularly the operation of HW storage and treatment facilities


Sustainable operational capability for hazardous chemical waste management facility in place

Combined with the 2nd Indicator of Outcome 1.2.

Further development of a storage under the Ministry of Emergency Situations' operational supervision was identified as a national hazardous waste storage/management capacity (not only for the POPs pesticides from Nubarashen) that broadens the scope of the initiative to the national level.

More reporting is to follow in the future.

Kotayk site was removed from consideration when public consultations were held and indicated that the site is not suitable for hazardous waste operations.

As the temporary hazardous waste storage (light construction) will be moved to Nubarashen site itself, this was combined with the 2nd Indicator of Outcome 2.

High level of public awareness, engagement and support for the Kotayk HW facility site activities and ongoing operations supported by the delivery of appropriate awareness products and activities delivered.

Initial public consultations with local authorities and affected public stakeholders undertaken.


public consultation events held and 5 public documents/web/media products delivered

In the reporting period, the project:- prepared a media monitoring/analysis on a potential emergency incident at “Nairit” Chemical Plant;- developed and disseminated a press release covering the project’s recent activities on 9 November 2017; an EIA

Kotayk site which was originally included in the project's design to be a dedicated storage and soil processing site for the waste from Nubarashen, was removed from consideration based on public consultations in the first round, ad then replaced by the former rubber making plant Nairit.

Page 17 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportpublic discussion event; on specialized training conducted for environmental media representatives; an interview to MediaMax.am website and article for InvestMagazine.am, an interview for TV news program (Ararat TV news portal or Yerkir Media TV channel).

Public outreach activities have taken a strong foothold in the project activities.

More reporting is to follow.

Consultations on public agreement of using the former rubber storage building of Nairit plant for project's purposes was held in July 2018, with participation of relevant stakeholders and CSOs. Meeting participants (11 men, 7 women) who came to the consent that this storage to be used for accepting any waste displaced from Yerevan city-located institutions and areas only, which was respectively documented.

Current plan is the use of Nubarashen's adjacent area for construction of a temporary light warehouse construction.

The progress of the objective can be described as: Off trackOutcome 3Remaining significant historical obsolete pesticides (OPs) storehouses addressed, OP stocks packaged and removed and residual site contamination cleanedDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Availability of completed/ documented screening assessments of identified historical OP storehouse stockpile sites and volume of OP stockpiles and cleaned residuals packed and removed to storage

Fragmented historical assessment and inventory work consolidated for project preparation

24 OP stockpile sites identified and up to 6 sites considered priorities for substantive clean-up

Preliminary commitment for EU funding of initial work pending

EU/Ministry of Agriculture - MoA/FAO administered site assessment, packaging and surficial clean-up undertaken to make available 150 t of OPs and residuals for storage and environmentally sound disposal arranged by FAO

Public consultation conducted at priority OP storehouse sites

Under MoA supervision the former priority OP storehouse sites are maintained for other productive uses

This activity is pending availability of envisaged MoA/EU/FAO co-financing (800,000 US dollars) for Activity 1.3 (the planned collection and packaging of the 150 tons of OPs waste).

Discussions were held with the Ministry of Agriculture on the possibility to re-launch the fundraising process with EU/FAO for co-financing of Activity 1.3. As of now, this Output depends on external parties as discussed, and has been entered into the critical risk section.

In case the previously thought co-finance from the parallel program does not materialize, the project will require a revision of this particular approach in consultation with national stakeholders.

In April 2018, the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Agriculture reported that under

On September 18-20 2018, site visits were made, jointly with Ministry of Emergency situations (MES) and Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) representatives, to former OP regional storehouses and dumpsites located in 5 marzes of Armenia. This was done to explore and update the status of the six (6) priority sites, potentially containing POP/OP pesticides.

Based on the visits, a summary report has been developed on status, current conditions and set of recommended measures to be undertaken for the existing POP/OP waste identification and possible disposal, clean-up and safeguarding of the storehouse sites.

Page 18 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportthe frameworks of the “Support to control over pesticides quality and monitoring over their residual quantities in Armenia” GCP/ARM/003/GRE EU-funded project, 2 million USD was spent for the renovation and update of equipment of the laboratories of the “Republican Veterinary-Sanitary and Phytosanitary Laboratory Center” SNCO under State Food Security Service of the RA Ministry of Agriculture.

The GCP/RER/040/EC regional EU-funded project “Improving Capacities to Eliminate and Prevent Recurrence of Obsolete Pesticides as a model for tackling Unused Hazardous Chemicals in the Former Soviet Union” as a co-financing for the implementation of Outcome 1.3, has been finalized in December 2017, and no additional funding for the collection, packaging and removal of 150 tons of obsolete pesticides located in former regional storehouses is available.


Availability of completed/ documented detailed contaminated site and risk assessments and remediation/clean-up designs on identified priority storehouse sites and a number of public consultation events held at number of priority storehouse sites and public acceptance of actions

Limited site assessment work done by local and international NGOs

No dedicated public consultation activities on priority sites to date

Preliminary site assessment reports received from MoA and reviewed/evaluated

Priority OP storehouse sites for substantive clean-up agreed with MoA and MNP

Detailed contaminated site and risk assessments and remediation/clean-up designs on identified up to 6 priority OP storehouse sites completed/documented

6 public consultation events held in the communities of 6 priority OP storehouse sites

Sixteen (16) OP stockpile/storehouse sites (including the 6 priority sites), located in 8 regions, were visited during October 2017 – May 2018 period, to update on their status, conditions and to reveal the level of risk perception by local communities.

During the visits, the project's intention was also to provide awareness-raising public information on the existing OP storehouses posing public health and environmental risks, through participatory rapid appraisal.

At this moment. no further funding is available under MoA for this part of waste, and the project continues to monitor the situation in this respect.

In response to a UNDP query, the MoA confirmed that the planned/envisaged MoA/EU/FAO co-financing (800,000 US dollars) for Activity 1.3 (collection and packaging of the pre-assessed 150 tons of POP/ OP waste) will not be available.

Discussions continued with the MoA on the possibility to re-launch the fundraising process with EU/FAO for co-financing of Activity 1.3.

As of now, this Output depends on external parties, as discussed, and has been entered the critical risk section. If enough co-financing is allocated by the GoA, the project will address the elimination of POP/OP

Page 19 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportpesticides waste from community-based storehouses.

Volume of OPs stockpiles packed, removed from a number of priority OP storehouse sites and residual site contamination cleaned-up

No clean-up activity undertaken at any OP storehouse site

No action Excavation/removal, disposal and/or containment of up to 150 t of POPs waste from up to 6 priority OP storehouse sites completed

Activities under this indicator will possibly be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending upon the results of the preceding indicators.

With no extra funding available from MoA, this currently represents an additional challenge to the project to address this new stream of waste.

Additional reporting will be presented in the future.

Please see previous comments/reporting presented in the section above.

Activities under this indicator will possibly be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending upon implementation status of the preceding indicators.

Public consultation events held at 6 priority sites and public acceptance of actions are obtained

No dedicated public consultation activities on priority sites to date.


6 public consultation events held at 6 priority sites

Combined with the 2nd Indicator of Outcome 1.3.

Please see sections above for more details.

Please see sections above for more details.

At this moment, the project proposed to the MoA to continue fund-raising discussions with EU/FAO.

In case there is no additional funding, the GEF project can take care of the priority site's contained POPs/OP pesticides waste subject current challenges with the waste transit and costs of destruction have been overcome.

The progress of the objective can be described as: On trackOutcome 4Export and environmentally sound disposal of Category 1 wasteDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Volume of Category 1 waste exported and disposed under an environmentally sound measure in accordance with the Stockholm Convention Article 6, Basel Convention and GEF guidance performance requirements

No destruction of POPs pesticides, POPs wastes or OPs yet undertaken

International pre-qualification of Category 1 waste disposal facility, tender and contract documents prepared and implemented

Export from Armenia and environmentally

Environmentally sound disposal of any contingency volumes of Category 1 waste at a qualified disposal facility

The Project has identified a POPs/OP waste (Category 1) transit challenge through the territory of Georgia which has access to the sea routes from Batoumi port (the Black Sea).

Negotiations at MFA level started in October 2017. As an alternative, waste transit possibilities via Iran was being under consideration.

The request for Expression of Interest (EoI) “EOI 023/18 - Prequalification for Clean-up of Nubarashen POP/OP burial site and disposal of the waste” was announced on 26 September 2018 as a first stage of international tender for selection of Nubarashen site clean-up and waste disposal service provider/company. From eight (8) applications five (5) international companies were pre-qualified for this

Page 20 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportsound disposal of 1,052 t Category 1 waste for destruction at a qualified disposal facility

On 23-24 October, 2017, the Project team visited the MAPSA Company’s hazardous chemical waste incineration plant in Iran, with a perspective of exporting excavated POPs/OPs from Nubarashen burial site for environmentally sound incineration.

The mission revealed that the plant, established 3 years ago based on a French technological lines (ATI Environment), is a state-of-the-art facility for destruction (high-temperature incineration) of various types of hazardous chemical waste, including POPs/obsolete pesticides, as well as PCBs.

The plant is operational and meets the stringent international requirements for emissions control (3-stage control and online monitoring systems). The preliminary assessment of the operational status (licenses, permits), capacity, environmental performance and auxiliary infrastructure, revealed that the facility can be considered as a feasible option for incineration of Nubarashen POPs/OP waste pending independent test burns which can support conformity.

Due to concerns expressed by the GFE Secretariat, this option has been removed from further consideration.

In July 2017, a Russian expert visited Armenia and presented an incineration portable module used in the Russian Federation. A discussion meeting was held at the Ministry of Nature Protection - https://armlur.am/714175/ though the technology in Russia has to be tested too. at the same time, reaching Russian borders takes to cross the territory of Georgia, which at this time is an unresolved challenge.

assignment.

After the extension was granted, the project team was able to continue collaboration with ACP (Advisory Committee for Procurement) to adjust the second ITB stage of the tender to the best procurement practices.The “ITB 003/19 - Clean-up of Nubarashen POP/OP burial site and disposal of the waste” package was redesigned/updated per the Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP, UNDP Headquarters) comments and re-submitted to ACP’s review and approval on 22 April 2019. Per the ACP suggestion the contract award conditions and the structure of BoQs were developed and shared for comments.

The Project participated in Stockholm Convention’s Intersectoral Committee meeting (5 November 2018) and delivered presentation on the project status and related issues.

Page 21 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportThe Project participated in two Stockholm Convention’s commitment implementation Intersectoral Committee meetings (on 20 July and 21 December 2017) and delivered presentations on the project status and related issues.

A PMB meeting, held on 25 May 2018, resulted in final decision on the format of the ToR and implementation modality of the Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site cleanup and waste disposal/destruction tender.

Also, it was concluded that in-country disposal/destruction option (import of a technology module) is not feasible due to technical, timing and environmental (EIA) considerations.

The progress of the objective can be described as: Off trackOutcome 5 Environmentally sound treatment of Category 2 waste/soilDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Volume of treated Category 2 waste below the low POPs content and demonstration of commercial viability of the Category 2 waste/soil treatment technology in Armenia

No highly contaminated soil treatment/remediation facilities available in the country

International pre-qualification of Category 2 waste treatment technology, tender and contract documents prepared and implemented

Waste treatability testing of candidate shortlisted technologies completed

Site preparation arrangements for hosting the feasible technology as required completed

Environmentally sound treatment of 4,123 t of Category 2 waste to levels below the low POPs content

Based on the international consultant’s “Roadmap for the selection of a technology for the Category 2 POPs-contaminated soil in Nubarashen, Armenia”, a request for Expression of Interest (REOI) was developed and announced (ITB 071-17) for prequalification of potential service providers on “Clean-up/disposal services for POPs-contaminated soil from the Nubarashen site” on 29 October 2017.

Proposals were received from six (6) relevant international firms: TREDI S.A., Dekonta s.a., Thermodyne Technologies Inc. & AWS, Polyeco S.A., Veolia ES Field Services Ltd, and HPC AG. The pre-bid site visit and the technology (contaminated soil clean-up/treatment) presentation workshop were held on 16-17 November 2017. The

Based on findings of a pre-bid workshop, conducted under the EoI (expression of interest) 071/17 (with six interested international consulting and technology companies visiting the event), a respective section of the Scope of Works developed for the ITB 003/19 now reflects requirements for the Category 2/4 soil treatment.

In the documentation, two alternative options are described: 1) per the Baseline Option Category 2/4 waste will be decontaminated and as a cleaned soil then re-filled into engineered and stabilized Nubarashen site; per the 2) Alternative Option the Category 2/4 waste will be safeguarded and contained back (this option is a reserve plan and can be selected only in case of deficiency in co-funding), with a

Page 22 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportpre-qualification results have been assessed and scored. All six (6) interested firms were adequately acknowledged on the pre-qualification evaluation results.

The major outcome of the pre-bid workshop and conclusions of the follow-up Panel discussion, was to develop one package of technical specifications for the 3 major components of Nubarashen clean-up works, namely:1) excavation/packaging of the Category 1 waste for removal and destruction abroad,2) on-site decontamination of the Category 2 soil; and3) on-site containment of Category 3 soil and decontaminated Category 2 soil, and splitting the entire tender package into 2 lots for these three-phased works.

This approach was agreed with the PMB to the ensure the sufficiency of government's co-financing which is a critical element in the current programme. Without such co-finance, the project is considered as highly unlikely to achieve its original objectives which will result in consultations with the GEF on next steps: (1) either reduction in the activity scope, or (2) potential cancellation.

The Technical Design, Operational Plan and Cost Estimates, Technical Specifications are finalized as part of the tender package (Request for Proposals and the ToR), for Nubarashen POPs/OPs waste excavation and removal/disposal, site clean-up works to be announced in August 2018.

Additional reporting will be presented in 2019.

purpose of future decontamination. If selected, it will need the GEF's approval.

The step-wise process of tendering and the testing demonstration of capability of candidate (feasible) technologies, ensuring that technical and environmental performance requirements to remediate the contaminated soil below the Stockholm Convention's approved low-POPs content levels, are included as mandatory requirements in the Scope of Works. In the event if this is unachievable, the default option of safeguarding and secure in-situ containment will be exercised.

Operational training of national technical personal and service providers on a modern

No currently qualified technical personal or


· 20 national technical personal operationally

See section above. Combined with the preceding Indicator of Outcome 2.2.

Activities under this indicator will be carried out in subsequent reporting periods, pending

Page 23 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportcontaminated soil treatment/remediation technology

service providers in Armenia for treatment/remediation of POPs contaminated soil.

qualified and experienced on a modern contaminated soil treatment/remediation technology.

· Commercial service provider capability available for other contaminated soil treatment/remediation projects in Armenia.

Additional reporting will be presented in 2019.

upon implementation status of the preceding indicators.

More reporting is to follow in the next year's PIR.

The progress of the objective can be described as: Off trackOutcome 6Legal/regulatory and technical guidance tools for management of chemical wastes, including POPs, and, contaminated sites management within a national sound chemicals management framework strengthenedDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Policies, legislation and regulatory measures respecting chemical HW and contaminated sites management reviewed, updated and appropriate revisions implemented

Basic framework legislation in place but has gaps, inconsistencies and conflicts with international standards and obligations under Stockholm and Basel Conventions

Systematic review and clarification of existing legislation and regulations on chemical HW and contaminated sites management completed

Action plan for streamlining and filling gaps in existing legislation consistent with international practice adopted and implemented

List of project specific legislative and regulatory review measures (to be provided by Ministry of Nature Protection/UNDP CO)

The project organized regulatory reviews on national Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure; expert examination procedures, and national licensing on dealing with hazardous waste handling, treatment/ neutralization, storage, transportation and disposal, in relation to the planned field activities of the project.

Moreover, specific requirements of the Stockholm and Basel conventions, as well as international regulations and legal provisions related to hazardous waste transportation, export and transit were analyzed and mapped. The latter is taken into consideration when devising and planning the project activities.

The project conducted regulatory reviews on national ESIA and expert examination procedures, and on national licensing for dealing with hazardous waste handling, treatment/ neutralization, storage, transportation and disposal, in relation to the planned field activities of the project, and in a broader sense of improving future handling of hazardous waste (HW) in the country.

The Government of Armenia (GoA) issued a Decree # 1029-N On 27 September 2018 introducing Amendments to the GoA Decree # 121-N of 30 January 2003 “On approval of the licensing procedure for processing, neutralization, storage, transportation and emplacement activity of hazardous wastes in the Republic of Armenia”. All listed HW management activities now are summarized under one definition “handling” of HW, and the Decree is titled “Approval of the procedure for licensing of HW handling in

Page 24 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportthe Republic of Armenia.

Importantly, in the original decree all listed activities were under general requirements, and in the amended decree for each listed activity (e.g. processing, transportation, etc.) specific requirements for licensing are specified. This recommendation was summed in the project expert’s earlier developed (in 2016/18) analytical report on gaps in licensing procedures and shared with the MNP.

Country-specific legislation under the requirements of Basel Convention on hazardous waste transboundary transit and import regulations were analyzed for all countries that can potentially serve as transit countries for Category 1 concentrated POPs waste transportation to the disposal destination. The summary report has been shared with the PMB and other stakeholder institutions, for proper understanding and planning of the waste transit.

As Georgia represents the priority transit country to reach the Black Sea' maritime routes, the project prepared an unofficial translation (into Armenian and English languages) of the amended Georgian “Law on Waste export, transit and import” and analyzed the hazardous waste transit permitting feasibility of such work under the new legal solutions. Also, communication with Armenia's Standing Committee of National Assembly on Nature Protection, and with the President’s Office, was promoted, and these authorities were involved into a dialog with Georgian governmental institutions, trying to lobby for a legislative or other - higher level (Intergovernmental Agreement) solution in favor of permitting the waste transit through

Page 25 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportGeorgia.

Availability of technical guidance on environmental and health risk assessment methodologies and practices applicable to chemical HW and contaminated sites and on operational and EHS procedures for chemical HW handling, transport, storage and disposal, developed in accordance with international practices and a number of relevant national personnel trained

While requirements exist in legislation requiring technical guidelines on operational safety procedures for hazardous chemicals waste handling, transport, storage and disposal to be in place these have not been developed and adopted

Limited national expertise exists in implementation of operational procedures for HW management

No nationally adopted guidance materials exist for environmental and health risk assessment

Draft guidance materials on environmental and health risk assessment methodologies and practices applicable to chemical HW and contaminated sites developed in accordance with international practice prepared and reviewed

Draft guidance materials on operational and EHS procedures for chemical HW handling, transport, storage and disposal consistent with international practices prepared and reviewed

"Guidance materials on environmental and health risk assessment methodologies/practices and on operational and EHS procedures applicable to chemical HW and contaminated sites handling, transport, storage and disposal consistent with international practice adopted and implemented

At least 50 relevant technical professionals from regulatory authorities, academia, NGOs and environmental service provider personnel in regulatory and private sectors attained relevant certification for completion of the national training program

A number of international (EU) guidelines were presented, recommended and distributed for adaptation by international experts during the training-seminars: "Urban-development, environmental and health requirements/norms related to the design, subsequent operation and maintenance of the projected hazardous chemical waste management and storage facility in the Republic of Armenia" and "Technical Requirements and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Aspects for Hazardous Chemicals/Waste Storage Facilities in the View of International Practices".

Relevant International (EU) guidelines were presented, recommended and distributed electronically by international experts during the training-seminar for use and for adaptation to local requirements: “Risk Assessment of Nubarashen Burial Site Clean-up Design and Remedy Measures in the View of International Practices".

More reporting will be provided in the next PIR cycle.

Several related international (EU) guidelines were presented in earlier conducted two (2) training sessions (supported by the Czech Trust Fund in cooperation with UNDP-Armenia and the project), recommended for use, and distributed for adaptation in daily work activities to respective national initiatives.

Relevant recommendations were used while developing a design of the OP temporary storehouse.

Further, references from these guidelines were used in delivering a training for national specialists and decision-makers in the training seminar “Management and monitoring of hazardous / harmful chemicals storage facility” organized by the project partner NGO AWHHE (Armenian Women for Environment) and conducted in April 2019 by the staff from Ministry of Emergencies.

Guidance documentation on environmental and health risk assessment methodologies and practices applicable to hazardous waste stockpiles and contaminated sites developed in accordance with international practice introduced and adopted, and relevant national professional trained.

· No nationally adopted guidance materials exist for environmental and health risk assessment.


· Adopted guidance materials on on environmental and health risk assessment methodologies and practices applicable to hazardous waste stockpiles and contaminated sites developed in

See section above. Reporting on this activity is combined with the preceding indicator of Outcome 3.1.


Reporting on this activity has been combined with the preceding indicator.

More reporting on both will be presented in the next reporting cycles.

Page 26 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportaccordance with international practice implemented.

· Training of at least 50 professionals from regulatory authorities, academia, NGOs and environmental service providers

The progress of the objective can be described as: On trackOutcome 7Outcome 3.2 - no descriptionDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


The EcoProject incineration facility is fully qualified based on international standards for management of HW and chemical wastes.

Facility has been constructed and is operational for biomedical and other industrial waste destruction with its operator expressing interest in expanding its range of wastes to various HW up to and including POPs wastes


Full test burn program completed and licensing decisions made on an expanded menu of HW made.

A technical assessment and upgrading investment plan is completed for purposes of improving facility efficiency and environmental performance including potential application to chlorinated waste streams.

A preliminary screening and technical-feasibility assessment, conducted in previous reporting periods, revealed that the existing facilities have no adequate technical capacity and special emissions control equipment (waste gas clean-up/absorption units) for conducting test burns (after upgrade) of small quantities of hazardous chemical waste, such as chlorinated POPs/obsolete pesticides in an environmentally sound manner. This is needed to test whether the technology meets the requirements of the Stockholm Convention's and national emissions limits.

Moreover, operators of both facilities have no intention for upgrade and not ready for additional investments in this respect.

On this basis, the project team and Project Management Board found it unfeasible to follow up on further activities on this Outcome.

Therefore, after the MTR, when reviewing the Project’s Results Frameworks, it was decided to close further work under the

After the MTR/MTE exercise, when reviewing the Project’s Results Frameworks, it was decided to close further activities under this section as EcoProject' facility was recognized as a basic trash burner not suitable for handling HW of the type the project aims at.

However, the project works closely with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Prime-Minister office’s personnel, on identifying an alternative solution to serve for in-country incineration, if such need emerges due to lack of waste transit permit with Georgia.

In this respect, the project is in contact with French company ATI Environment which manufactures HW waste incinerator modules, and will invite their representatives to deliver a presentation on their products for technical and decision-making staff, to conclude on the feasibility options of waste disposal in Armenia.

It should be noted that construction of such modules may exceed the project's operational time frame, and may serve

Page 27 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportOutcome 3.2 as this is not practically possible to continue with test burns and qualification of these facilities.

No more reporting is expected on this section in the future.

broader goals of HW in the future. As for the POPs material, in any event, specific test burns have to be performed to analyze the actual performance of the equipment and technology proposed.

The progress of the objective can be described as: AchievedOutcome 8Basic national capacity for effective hazardous chemicals sampling and analysis for multi-environmental media and contaminated sites in place, operational and certified to international standardsDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


Availability of adopted national strategy for rationalization and upgraded national laboratory capability to serve a sound chemicals management framework focusing for POPs analysis and management

Highly fragmented under-equipped and resourced laboratory infrastructure distributed across the regulatory, academic and private sector

Lack of fully creditable capability to service the needs of regulators and the industrial/private sector

National laboratory enhancement strategy developed, endorsed by major institutional and public stakeholders and endorsed for implementation by the government

National laboratory enhancement strategy supporting the availability of capability for effective hazardous chemicals sampling and analysis for sound POPs chemicals management implemented

The project developed a “Strategy for operational optimization and upgrading of the national laboratory (analytical) capacity on POPs and hazardous chemical waste in Armenia” for optimization/upgrading of two merged/unified laboratories within the structure of the State Environmental Monitoring and Information Center of MNP.

The Strategy is specifically targeting:(1) improvement of management capabilities;(2) development of an outline for relevant QA/QC procedures applied in chemical waste/POPs analysis;(3) provision of a limited resource base support to improve analytical capacities on waste/POPs, with an overall perspective of international certification of the laboratory, as well as recommended list and specifications of equipment and consumables to be provided by the project as material support.

This will strengthen the national capability of measuring POPs in the environment and food products.

The developed Strategy was shared with

Per the assessed needs, recorded in the project's developed “Strategy for operational optimization and upgrading of the national laboratory analytical capacity on POP and hazardous chemical waste in Armenia” (the Strategy was shared with and reviewed by the MNP Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) with a positive feedback - acknowledgement letter of 18 October 2017).

Related recommendations were developed/proposed, taken into consideration and reflected in the following documents:

- during the Government Session of 7th December 2017, when a decision was adopted on providing a space for the merged laboratory of EMIC, within the premises of Institute of Chemical Physics, with adequate infrastructure for full-scale operation of analytical laboratory on POPs. Currently, the reconstruction and renovation works are underway, to be completed in October 2019;

- in the outline for relevant quality assurance and control (QA/QC) procedures applied in

Page 28 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportand reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) SNCO with a positive feedback (acknowledgement letter of 18 October 2017).

The recommendations of the Strategy are taken into consideration in devising 2018-2020 bound institutional development plans of Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) of the MNP.

Moreover, based on one of the proposed recommendations (options), the Government Session of December 7, 2017, adopted a decision on providing a space for the merged laboratory of EMIC, within the premises (1st floor) of NAS Institute of Chemical Physics, with adequate infrastructure for full-scale operation of analytical laboratory on POPs.

More reporting on its status is to follow in the next reporting period.

chemical waste/POPs analysis;

- in devising 2018-2020 bound institutional development plans of Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) of the MNP.

Number of designated national laboratories, including state/regulatory, academic and private sector institutions upgraded with suitable capability for POPs hazardous chemical waste sampling/analysis and number of laboratory personnel completed training program

Reasonably good but somewhat outdated capability in MNP regulatory laboratory and one modern academic laboratory

Growing number of private sector laboratories

Variable levels of training and qualifications in existing laboratory personnel

Selection of 2 designated laboratories from regulatory and academic/private sector for upgrading

Approved specifications and plans for upgrading of designated laboratories

10 technical personnel from designated laboratories and regulatory institutions trained

2 designated laboratories upgraded and operational

Long term national budget commitments and/or business plans in place ensuring sustainable operation of upgraded laboratories

15 technical laboratory personnel from designated laboratories and regulatory institutions completed training program

During the reporting period, the following lab/field equipment was procured: X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF field analyzer/spectrometer), auxiliary laboratory equipment for POPs analysis and sample preparation for two (2) laboratories of Environmental Monitoring and Information Centers.

In support of POPs/chemical waste/contaminated soil sampling and analysis capacity improvement the project:1) conducted an assessment of further training needs of MNP EMIC merged laboratory staff; and2) led and coordinated the activities of inter-calibration exercise of the national laboratories involved under the guidance of the project contractor company GEOTest

Two pieces of lab/field equipment were procured:i) Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF field analyzer /spectrometer),ii) auxiliary laboratory equipment for POP analysis and sample preparation (evaporator-concentration) intended for enhancement of the national laboratory analytical capacity on POPs and hazardous chemical waste in Armenia.

An environmental monitoring exercise with the application of the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Field Analyzer/Spectrometer, performed by the national laboratory, of on-site/in-lab measurements of contaminated soils and bottom sediments took place in March-April 2019.

Page 29 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Report(Czech Republic).

The results of the inter-calibration exercise were presented and discussed during the seminar held in January 2018.

The component is fully on track.Training program for laboratory and associated personal delivered.

Variable levels of training and qualifications in existing laboratory personnel


15 additional key laboratory personal from designated laboratories trained

On 23-25 August 2017 “Soil Sampling and Lab QA/QC Training” was delivered by DEKONTA trainers (Czech Republic), both in classroom and on-site, to 29 participants (15 women, 14 men), representing 5 national laboratories and relevant institutional units - MNP EIMC 2 merged laboratories, NAS Institute of Chemical Physics, "STANDARD DIALOG" LLC private laboratory, MoH NCDC “Reference Lab Center” SNCO, MNP, MES, ENGO.

The training agenda consisted of a 2-day theoretical training and 1-day practical training on-site (at Nubarashen burial site).

Activity completed.

“Soil Sampling and Lab QA/QC Training” was delivered on 23-25 August 2017 by trainers from the Czech Republic, both in classroom and on-site, to 29 participants (15 women, 14 men), representing 5 national laboratories and relevant institutional units - MNP EIMC 2 merged laboratories, NAS Institute of Chemical Physics, "STANDARD DIALOG" LLC private laboratory, Ministry of Health “Reference Lab Center” SNCO, MNP, MES, ENGOs. The training agenda consisted of a 2-day theoretical training and 1-day practical training on-site (at Nubarashen POPs/OPs pesticides burial site).

The capacity developed through “Soil Sampling and Lab QA/QC Training” and followed by two (2) hands-on training sessions conducted on use of project's purchased portable X-ray fluorescence XRF field analyzer. It was used for an environmental monitoring exercise, performed by the national laboratory, of on-site/in-lab measurements of contaminated soils and bottom sediments, which was followed by a half-day hands-on training on XRF Field Analyzer conducted on 7 May 2019, for the staff of 3 national laboratories and NGOs involved in environmental monitoring/soil sampling activities (6 men, 4 women).

Number of designated national laboratories initiated introduction of international

Only one laboratory operating with partial

1 designated laboratory initiated

2 designated laboratories initiated

Recommendations for international certification of the methods (e.g. ISO 17025)

Recommendations for international certification of the methods (e.g. ISO 17025)

Page 30 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportcertification methods and practices internationally

certified methodsintroduction of international certification methods and practices for POPs analysis

introduction of international certification methods and practices for POPs analysis

for POPs analysis of the merged national two laboratories of the state Environmental Monitoring and Information Center SNCO (under the coordination of MNP) are included in the developed Strategy for operational optimization and upgrading of the national laboratory (analytical) capacity on POPs and hazardous chemical waste in Armenia.

Presentation of the inter-calibration exercise results (between the 4 national labs), as well as analysis data comparison/sharing of the soil samples from Nubarashen site (provided by GeoTest), was held at MNP EMIC Lab on 2 March 2018.

This activity is on track.

for POP analysis of the national two merged laboratories of the state Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (under the administration of MNP) are included in the project developed Strategy.

The inter-calibration exercise between the 4 national labs of the POPs contaminated soil (core) samples from Nubarashen site (provided by GeoTest a.s. company from the Czech Republic). Presentation of the inter-calibration exercise results, as well as analysis data comparison/sharing of the soil samples from Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site, was held at MNP EMIC Lab in March 2018. The results and conclusions will be documented and presented to the national certification authority.

The progress of the objective can be described as: On trackOutcome 9Monitoring, learning, adaptive feedback, outreach, and evaluationDescription of Indicator Baseline Level Midterm target level End of project target


M&E and adaptive management applied to project in response to needs, mid-term evaluation findings with lessons learned extracted

No Monitoring and Evaluation system

No evaluation of project output and outcomes

Monitoring and Evaluation system developed

Mid-term evaluation of project output and outcomes conducted with lessons learned

Final evaluation report developed in the end of the project

The project’s monitoring and evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the project document framework through the following activities/procedures:- Progress against the respective indicators has been reported in the format of Implementation and Monitoring Stage Quality Assurance Report;- UNDP-GEF Quarterly Progress Reports;- Annual Project Board review of the project milestones, based on the 2017 mid- and end-year UNDP Standard Progress Reports (SPRs).

The Project budget revision was processed to adjust the total budget for Y2016 to the actual expenditures in 2016 as per combined delivery report (CDR), to adjust

The project’s monitoring and evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the project document framework, updated with new UNDP reporting formats (as of end-year 2018) through the following activities/procedures:- Annual Project Board review of the project milestones, based on the 2018 end-year UNDP Standard Progress Report (uploaded to the PIR's PIMS+ File Library);- The Project Management Board e-communication discussion was held on 7 March 2019, during which the Project’s Y2019 AWP and detailed work-plan, Risk Log, no-cost extension justification and were presented, alongside with operational programmatic documents subject for PMB’s approval;

Page 31 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportthe total budget for Y2017 to the actual expenditures in 2017 by decreasing the budget for Y2017 and respectively reallocating to the budget for Y2018. The Y2018 budget amounts planned for the project core activities were reallocated through the next years, in compliance with shifted activities (see the pdf file uploaded to the File Library of PIR).

During this reporting period, two (2) Project Management Board (PMB) meetings were held. The objective of the first meeting, held on 19 January 2018, was the presentation of Project 2017 activity and delivery report, and approval of 2018 Annual Work Plan. The objective of the second special ad-hoc invited PMB meeting held on 25 May 2018, was the discussion and final decision on the format of the ToR and implementation modality of the Nubarashen POPs/OPs burial site cleanup and waste disposal/destruction service selection tender.

An International Mid-term Evaluator conducted MTR/MTE during the March – May 2018 period, and submitted the MTR Report, together with Conclusion and Recommendations that was shared with the Project partners, the Ministry of Nature Protection and Ministry of Emergency Situations, for feedback. Management response was provided to the latter, based on which the MTR report has been finalized.

An essential MTR recommendation for the project was to extend the project duration, and another core conclusion and relevant recommendation was to review/update the Project Results Framework (PRF), specifically the indicators and targets. Co-finance matters and regional transit issues

- Quarterly UNDP Standard Progress Reports;- GEF Quarterly Progress Reports (QIII and QIV 2018, QI and QII 2019 uploaded to the PIR's PIMS+ File Library);- The Project Risk Log has been updated (as of June 2019), and 3 risks have been ranked as “HIGH”;

The Mid-term Review (MTR/MTE) was conducted during the March – May 2018 period, with the MTR Report submitted together with Conclusions and Recommendations which were was shared with the Project Management Board members for review and feedback. The Management Response (updated as June 2019) was prepared and documented (uploaded to the PIR's PIMS+ File Library). Its implementation is tracked for the assigned set of recommended actions.

Based on the current situation faced by the project, the project received a special no-cost extension approval till 31 December 2021 (which is beyond usual 18 months recommended by UNDP-GEF). The revised multi-year budget has passed internal review and been signed/approved.

Page 32 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportfor the POPs waste were reflected in the MTR as critical to the project's success. The PRF was reviewed accordingly and approved by the RTA.

The progress of the objective can be described as: On track

Page 33 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportD. Implementation Progress

Cumulative GL delivery against total approved amount (in prodoc): 16.09%Cumulative GL delivery against expected delivery as of this year: 16.09%Cumulative disbursement as of 30 June (note: amount to be updated in late August): 756,122

Key Financing AmountsPPG Amount 140,000GEF Grant Amount 4,700,000Co-financing 19,284,384

Key Project DatesPIF Approval Date Jun 7, 2012CEO Endorsement Date Dec 18, 2014Project Document Signature Date (project start date): May 26, 2015Date of Inception Workshop Dec 4, 2015Expected Date of Mid-term Review Apr 30, 2018Actual Date of Mid-term Review Jun 30, 2018Expected Date of Terminal Evaluation Nov 30, 2021Original Planned Closing Date May 26, 2019Revised Planned Closing Date Dec 31, 2021

Dates of Project Steering Committee/Board Meetings during reporting period (30 June 2018 to 1 July 2019)2019-03-07

Page 34 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportE. Critical Risk Management

Current Types of Critical Risks Critical risk management measures undertaken this reporting periodFinancial RISK: In-feasibility for cost-effective treatment of highly contaminated soil (Category 2 materials) in an environmentally sound manner.

Impact: 5 – ExtremeLikelihood: 4 – Highly LikelyRisk level: HIGH

DESCRIPTION: The proposed cost exceeding the available budget for highly contaminated soil treatment or delays in receiving permits for technology operation may result in in-feasibility of environmentally sound treatment of Category 2 soil.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSE: The step-wise process of tendering and having testing demonstration of capability of candidate (feasible) technologies ensures that technical and environmental performance requirements to remediate the contaminated soil below the Stockholm Convention low-POPs content level will be determined prior to large-scale commitment of resources. In the event if this is unachievable, the default option of secure in-situ containment will be exercised.

Page 35 of 49


F. Adjustments

Comments on delays in key project milestonesProject Manager: please provide comments on delays this reporting period in achieving any of the following key project milestones: inception workshop, mid-term review, terminal evaluation and/or project closure. If there are no delays please indicate not applicable.The project’s completion date is extended till 31 December 2021 and accordingly the terminal evaluation will be performed during the March – September 2021 period, instead of terminal evaluation to be conducted before the project’s completion in May 2019, as it was planned originally. Respectively the project closure is planned for the November- December 2021 period.

The project extension was approved by MPU/Chemicals and UNDP-GEF' management. The necessity to extend the project for 2 years and 7 months period is reasoned by the delay of project’s core activity – disposal of persistent organic pollutant obsolete (POP/OP) pesticides.

Due to the existing constraint for waste export and transit (potential transit through Georgia and obtaining Georgia government consent, which is likely to be received through Armenia-Georgia intergovernmental committee meeting expected on 27 June 2019) the selection of a service provider company for Nubarashen site cleaning and waste disposal core activity is delayed.Country Office: please provide comments on delays this reporting period in achieving any of the following key project milestones: inception workshop, mid-term review, terminal evaluation and/or project closure. If there are no delays please indicate not applicable.Project’s terminal evaluation should be conducted during late 2018 and early 2019 per the original project cycle with an end date 26 May 2019. The project’s core activity directed to clean Nubarashen site and eliminate the excavated POPs/OPs waste is delayed due to an extended/protracted review and approval by the ACP (Advisory Committee for Procurement) of an ex-ante tender package developed for the entire scope of all site clean-up and waste disposal works, before sharing with pre-qualified bidders.

The project closely facilitates involvement and activities of respective governmental bodies for assurance of preliminary consent from Georgian Government that the waste transit permit will be granted. This is a key condition for processing the second phase of a tender, and awarding contract to the selected service provider company.UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser: please provide comments on delays this reporting period in achieving any of the following key project milestones: inception workshop, mid-term review, terminal evaluation and/or project closure. If there are no delays please indicate not applicable.A current delay is related to a long process of review of the next round (substantive work on Nubarashen site) of activities by a regional and global UNDP procurement offices.

This a special type of tender that was designed to collect financial data on a number of options related to Nubarashen, including placing of concentrated POPs waste from the site on temporary storage in case Georgia's inability to grant a transit export license to reach the Black sea and then Europe for its high-temperature incineration capacity. Such tender is intended to provide guidance to the Government on the financial investment required to complete all works on Nubarashen in a safe and sound manner without leaving the site partially unaddressed and exposing the environment and population to the POPs materials which could have been left out without treatment.

In case the tender is approved and it provides required information for decision making, the project can proceed further. If this is further delayed, the risk becomes a critical one and will be entered into the Atlas system.

Page 36 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportG. Ratings and Overall AssessmentsRole 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingProject Manager/Coordinator Moderately Satisfactory - IP Rating provided by UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser

and UNDP Country Office only -Overall Assessment Per the established procedure the Project Annual Work Plan (AWP) Y2018 has been revised and updated in late

2018, reflecting activities completed by the end of 2018 and those initiatives planned for 2019. Due to multiple and frequent restructuration initiatives in the Government (Ministries) as the “velvet revolution” aftermath, the Project Management Board (PMB) structure underwent changes but was not complete in December 2018 and January 2019 (4 new members from 8 stakeholder members were nominated in this period, two other members were re-nominated earlier and later). Hence, all the newly nominated members were individually briefed on the project details and status.The Y2019 AWP, UNDP annual Standard Progress Report, Project Results Framework, updated Risks Log, the Project extension justification (extension approval processing started from late November 2018), the SoW of the ongoing international tender, and other affiliated documents were shared with the PMB and Project Advisory Committee members in early March for review and no-objection to proceed in accordance with the Y2019 AWP. The Project no-cost extension approval notification was received in late April 2019, notifying the 31 December 2021 as the project extended end date, followed by corresponding revision and approvals of the Y2019 AWP.The project Implementation is facing a substantial delay, reasons are detailed in the project's no-cost extension justification document and summarized under the below bullets. The signed DOA included a conditionality clause stating a 500K USD threshold as a maximum amount to be spent from GEF grant budget during the first 18 months for completing all assessments and design of expected works, and to obtain the necessary cash co-financing. The assessment and design of works are completed, the first tranche of 1,5 million USD co-financing is allocated in the Y2019 state budget. The following two reasons have contributed to the project’s substantial delay in the implementation preparation phase:1. The first important task during the project implementation preparation period was the assessment of Nubarashen burial site/area and detailed design of clean-up and waste disposal works. The first round of the tender to select the site assessment and design service company failed - the evaluation panel didn’t reach the final consensus and the tender was cancelled by HQ recommendation in late August of 2016, with suggestion to be re-announced. The second round of the tender resulted in selection of a consulting company (contracted on 14 July 2017) who completed in mid-2018 the assessment and detailed design works. As a result, more than 12 months were lost due to mis-conduct of the project’s international consultant (after opening of financial proposals, changed his technical evaluation for the winner company), and cancellation of the legitimate tender.2. Project’s core activity is the re-packaging, removal and disposal of the excavated/re-packaged waste. The next two-stage international tender was directed to select a service provider company for these works, considered as a complex assignment addressing a preparation and disposal of different categories of waste (Category 1 - pure obsolete pesticides (OPs), and Category 2 – soil highly contaminated by residues of OPs), disposable by different technological solutions. In addition to having two distinctive technological solutions in one package, there are two constraints in smooth planning of expected disposal works:a) Without having proposals, the full budget for entire works is not known (despite the estimates of project consultant company), thereby the supplementary co-financing amount (in addition to the 1,5 million USD allocation) is not known to be communicated to the Government for planning,b) Georgia is the expected waste transit country. The Law of Georgia on “Export, transit and import of the waste” is under amendment discussions yet, however the draft amended Law states that the transit of hazardous waste will be regulated by subsequent Governmental decree, specifying the lists of waste to be restricted and prohibited for transit. Besides the legislative regulations, countries can achieve one-time permit, under the Basel Convention requirements and intergovernmental agreement. Actively facilitated by the project, representatives of key stakeholder institutions (the MNP – now renamed Ministry of Ecology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM’s staff) were in an ongoing formal (sending letters) and semi-formal (verbal) communication with Georgian partner institutions. In May 2019 the waste transit issue was included in the agenda of 10th session of Armenia-Georgia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic Cooperation and an Armenian-Georgian Business Forum (held in Armenia on 27-28 June 2019). These forums are held periodically to discuss technicalities on agreed agenda subjects, then included in the mutually signed protocol. After ratification of the latter, the agenda subjects become legally validated plans/projects for implementation (could be under intergovernmental agreement). Due to political protests in Georgia started in last decade of June, the Georgian delegation of the above-mentioned forum few days before the meeting requested removal of several politically “sensitive” aspects from formal agenda – and the waste transit was one among those, to be discussed and formulated without publicity. As agreed, the First Deputy Minister of Ecology of Armenia will continue the follow-up with Georgian side, for a new format of solution within the Georgian side continuous affirmation that the transit permit will be granted.Given the situation described under the points a) and b) above, the scope of works developed for the tender contains two baseline and alternative solutions for each category waste disposal. The Category 1 waste to be disposed abroad (as a baseline solution) or in-country (as an alternative solution, if transit permit will not be granted). The Category 2 waste to be decontaminated (as a baseline solution) or to be safeguarded and

Page 37 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportcontained back into re-engineered landfill (after seeking GEF’s approval, as an alternative interim solution, if full required co-financing will not be available timely), for respective decontamination measure in the future. The review and approval by the ACP of tender package including the scope of work with mentioned options, is still under process. The first ex-ante package has been submitted to ACP in mid-2018, and hopefully is close to be finalized in mid-July 2019. Five international companies were prequalified though Expression of Interest stage of the tender, and the ACP approved tender package will be directly shared with bidders. The very first task of the contractor will be the development and sending the import and transit notification for formal permits.A detailed tentative time schedule is developed to estimate the required time for completion of all on-site works and waste disposal. Two dry seasons will be required for performance and completion of 1,073 tons waste (1,052 t +2% packaging materials) excavation, re-packaging, removal and disposal, as well as for soil decontamination and back containment works. For this reason, the project no-cost extension was requested and approved for 2 years and 7 months (capturing June 2019 – December 2021 period), with two full dry seasons to perform field works.By the end of this reporting period the GEF grant spending is 16.04% of total allocated 4,7 million USD amount. Per the project mid-term evaluation “The good news is that due to an overall prudent approach to engage project expenditures in line with the implementation of activities, there is a remaining budget of about USD 4.26M (about 91%, per the February 2018 and now about 84%). The project AWP is revised per the extension schedule and approved accordingly.

Details on OutcomesOutcome 1- Project initiatives have been proceeding following the Y2018/2019 detailed work plan. The core activity for this reporting period was the preparation of a tender package for and competitive selection of a qualified company to provide POPs/OP Nubarashen site clean-up and waste disposal services. Per the PMB approved plan, the first company prequalification stage of the tender has been conducted in 2018, and 5 companies were prequalified. In end-July of 2018 the tender package was submitted for an ex-ante review by the UNDP Advisory Committee for Procurement. Per initial recommendation the package was developed for an RFP format tender, and the preliminary identified and agreed/approved by PMB two-lot structure (each lot has been designed to address specific works for Category 1 and Category 2 waste disposal activities) of the ToR was modified for one integral scope. Then, based on the nature of works, an ITB format has been recommended, and the package was subsequently revised. All these discussions and revisions lasted in 2019, and the process before the submission of this report stands on the status of approval of award mechanism, given four combinations of baseline and alternative options for each category waste disposal is reflected in the package.- Close and constructive collaboration with Prime Minister’s administration representative in the PMB, resulted in earmarking of a 1.5 million USD equivalent co-financing in the reserve fund of Armenia 2019 state budget.- Another important contributor to this outcome is the project stakeholder’s joint active efforts directed to promote achieving a preliminary consent from the Government of Georgia on provision of a permit for hazardous waste transit through Georgia territory. During this reporting period multiple formal and semi-formal communications took place, and the waste transit issue is reflected on the Armenia-Georgia economic intergovernmental committee meeting agenda. The meeting was scheduled for end June, having a positive outcome: the POPs/OP waste transit permit will be achieved through an intergovernmental agreement.

Outcome 2For making the facility for temporary storage of repacked waste available, the project has designed a 1,450 sq.m. 2-block facility, to be constructed in the area adjunct to Nubarashen site for minimization of the waste movement logistics and costs. The construction contract of this storage is awarded; however, commencement of construction works on site is linked and pending upon the positive resolution of the above-mentioned tender.

Outcome 3The Ministry of Agriculture (now as a sector included in the structure of the Ministry of Economy) formally informed that addressing the envisaged activities for handling of full OPs stockpiles amount (estimated 150 tons) from historical community-based 24 storehouses can’t be realized due to the lack of financing, specifically planned to be supported by FAO funding. Based on the site visits conducted in September 2018 the observation re-confirmed that the location of POPs containing OPs is concentrated in 6 locations only and the amounts are much lesser of the preliminary estimate total amounts of the waste. The estimate of this OPs with packaging materials will be below 20 tons (one large truck). The project will follow-up with the MES and MoA any possibility to collect/re-package this waste for disposal under the project contracted solution.

Outcome 4Implementation of Outcome 4 activities is pending on the progress of Outcome 1 activities.

Outcome 5Implementation of Outcome 4 activities is pending on the progress of Outcome 1 activities.

Page 38 of 49

2019 Project Implementation ReportOutcome 6Amendments introduced to the licensing of activities for hazardous waste (HW) management have differentiated each process (e.g. waste processing/recovery, transportation, disposal, etc.) to be licensed separately, in contrary to the preceding legal regulation when all types of activities for HW management were permitted under one single license. This is an advanced requirement, since required capacities/resources for each process/activity differs (e.g. waste transportation from storage). However, this change may cause a lack of respectively licensed company(ies) to partner with international service provider for Nubarashen clean-up works. Or, as recommended the contractor will apply for licenses, through this amendment the maximum duration of license issuance after the application submission quite optimized and should not exceed 23 working days.EU health risk and safety related guidelines were presented to an extended group of specialists, the requirements and recommendations will be implemented during the field works.

Outcome 7To make a final clarification on EcoProtect’s potential involvement in the project activities, the Director of the plant has been invited to a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Nature Protection (co-chair of PMB) in January 2017 and questioned what is their willingness and readiness to upgrade the capabilities of the plant for acceptance and incineration of a POPs hazardous waste. The Director of EcoProtect re-confirmed that the plant cannot accept any types of hazardous waste (the temperature of incineration is below 1,000 C°), and the company cannot invest for any upgrading, instead the expectation was to receive project’s funding support. At the PMB meeting earlier in January 2016 the PMB co-chair had suggested and a decision was recorded that this plant will not be capable to partner in the project initiatives. However, discussions with stakeholders on an alternative hazardous waste incineration in-country potential including a new installation, continue and the project provides technical consultancy support.

Outcome 8The project continues building capacities of two national laboratories: supported with optimization & QA/QC strategy, conducted trainings on POPs chemicals sampling and analysis, on use of XRF portable analyzer (in total 32 lab personnel, from which 19 men and 13 women were trained) – which further has been used for an extended study and analyses of contamination of water and land sediments by heavy metals and chloro-organic pesticides; supported with three labs analytical intercalibration exercise.

Outcome 9The project’s monitoring and evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the project document framework, updated with new UNDP reporting formats.

Role 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingUNDP Country Office Programme Officer Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately UnsatisfactoryOverall Assessment Project activities and results, risks and indicators are under ongoing monitoring against the Y2018/19 AWP and

results framework. UNDP 2018 annual Standard Progress Report has been electronically shared with the PMB and project advisory committee members, as well as the Y2019 AWP and the detailed work plan were drafted and submitted for approval during the first quarter in 2019. Then the Y2019 AWP was accordingly revised and approved upon receiving the project no-cost extension approval in late April.

Some protraction can be recorded in processing project’s core activity, directed to eliminate the POPs/OPs hazardous chemical waste. For the reporting period, project’s main efforts were directed to finalize the development of a tender package and selection of a company for Nubarashen landfill clean-up and waste disposal. Due to existing constraints in exporting and transiting the hazardous waste, two - baseline and alternative, scenarios are specified for both Category 1 and Category 2 waste disposal. Reflection of these two options for each category waste disposal makes the tender assignment complex, influencing on bid evaluation approach and on award mechanism. A matrix is developed for award conditions and steps (depending on waste disposal baseline and alternative options) and once agreed with the Advisory Committee for Procurement (ACP), the tender package will be distributed to the prequalified 5 companies.

Among the abovementioned difficulties and obstacles contributing to the observed delay, it’s important to also mention the consequences of “velvet revolution” in Armenia coinciding with this reporting period. Drastic structural changes in the state governance machinery created some uncertainties and lag in making decisions, even in terms of availability of PMB members to hold a meeting. However, one important result achieved in this period through project’s keen coordination and work with the PM’s representative in the PMB, was the 1.5M USD equivalent cash co-financing allocation in the RoA state budget to support key project activities. Another important yield of this period is the close work of Armenian officials from different relevant institutions with Georgian partners on hazardous waste transit regulation and towards receiving permit for the export / transit of Nubarashen waste to disposal destination. Hopefully, the intergovernmental economic committee meeting will conclude a positive agreement thus formalizing the preliminary consent on the waste transit.

Page 39 of 49


Excluding the observed delay caused by the objective reasons, the Project puts substantive efforts for progressing towards the expected outcomes.

Role 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingGEF Operational Focal point (not set or not applicable) - IP Rating provided by UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser

and UNDP Country Office only -Overall Assessment (not set or not applicable)Role 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingProject Implementing Partner Moderately Satisfactory - IP Rating provided by UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser

and UNDP Country Office only -Overall Assessment As the representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of the Republic of Armenia, and the Project

Management Board Co-chair, I would like to provide assessment on behalf of the Project Implementing Partner.As one of the key environmental priorities, Armenia still faces the serious issue of hazardous chemical waste management, since the country lacks an adequate infrastructure and technical capacity for environment-friendly storage, disposal and neutralization of hazardous chemical wastes. In fact, the issue of POPs/obsolete pesticides stockpiles elimination and prevention of chemical contamination is a key issue in Armenia, as well as a challenge for the national security.In this respect, I would like to comment on the issue of establishment of the national hazardous chemical waste (POPs/OPs) storage facility/management center. Although the PMB has approved an alternative solution to include the temporary storage facility in the Nubarashen area site design, so the storage for interim accumulation of packed waste will be located on-site. Nevertheless, establishment of a low-risk storage/management facility for hazardous chemical waste is a national priority and the MES will follow up for the Government’s approval and final decision.It is important to state that major steps and undertakings are discussed and approved by the PMB/PAC prior implementation.On behalf of the Project Implementing Partner and Project Management Board, I assert that despite the delay in achieving Project’s core targets for this reporting period, I rate the overall Project progress as “Moderately Satisfactory” and I am sure that the delayed key activities/benchmarks will be achieved during the no-cost extension period.

Role 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingOther Partners (not set or not applicable) - IP Rating provided by UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser

and UNDP Country Office only -Overall Assessment (not set or not applicable)Role 2019 Development Objective Progress Rating 2019 Implementation Progress RatingUNDP-GEF Technical Adviser Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately UnsatisfactoryOverall Assessment The assessment of progress in the current reporting period has dropped to a level of MU rating, with a potential

for further downgrade to the U level in the next implementation cycle, in case no further progress with the investment components of the programme will have been achieved.

In order to help the programme to continue operating with an acceptable time frame suitable to achieve the main project's objectives on remediation of the Nubrashen site, on a basis of dedicated negotiation within MPU/Chemicals and UNDP-GEF units, the project was extended until the end of 2021 to allow for two dry-seasons of operation on the Nubarashen site which is located in a hilly area which does not allow works in wet conditions. It is hoped that this extended will be utilized to the best ability of the project and the government to achieve maximum possible results, despite the challenges that the project faces.

A particular challenge of the current reporting period has been the processing of the extension of the programme which was eventually granted to accommodate for delays in the project's start-up, but it postponed the finalization of the tender related documentation due to the need to confirm the availability of funds for all planned activities based on this project's extension.

From financial perspective, the spending in the programme will depend on the approval and commencement of gradual excavation works at Nubarashen in the next implementation season (when the dry season arrives) and construction of a light storage facility at the spot. At this moment, it is low as investment works have not advanced much, and it ic crucial to complete the tender process which was delayed by the extension and by a somewhat protracted review of draft documentation from the regional and central procurement offices.

The transit of Category 1 concentrated POPs waste via the territory of Georgia represents an implementation

Page 40 of 49

2019 Project Implementation Reportrisk to the project as this waste category is the priority one for the GEF in terms of the GEB potential. The project has been able to mobilize a high-level attention to this issue from the side of the Armenian government, and there were initial consultations with Georgia in this respect which give hopes for its resolution on a one-time basis. Otherwise, the excavated POPs pesticides waste will only be subject to a safeguarded storage upon agreement form the GEF.

The project has been able to support revisions to the legislation governing hazardous waste management in the country by promoting licensing for each step of its handling (from re-packaging to storage to transportation and disposal) which improves the quality of oversight, and requires skills, and increases responsibility from future operators of such waste, including in a broader sense than just the POPs waste - it covers a range industrial hazardous waste that can be generated by the industry (solvents, paints, pharmaceuticals etc).

This has a strong linkage to SESP/ESIA safeguards principles which are a must in this type of investment programmes. Indeed, the project was subject to carry out specific ESIA processes in relation to the originally proposed Kotayk storage facility, and then, when the rubber plant Nairit' option was dropped, on the basis of the public and stakeholder consultation, move on to narrow the focus to the Nubarashen site itself for the future operations on soil processing and design and construction of a light temporary storage at the spot to minimize transportation of waste soil for processing.

In such activities, there was a strong participation of civil society organizations, including the NGO "Armenian Women for Environment".

Laboratory level improvements with essential POPs analysis equipment, and national level capacity building with the participating Czech waste management companies (Dekonta and GEO Test) on POPs monitoring were a key feature of the project's achievements of technical nature. A majority of women specialist in this field were trained in the new modern skills otherwise missing in Armenia as it has not extensively worked with the POPs problematique in the recent years.

Awareness raising

Page 41 of 49


H. Gender

Progress in Advancing Gender Equality and Women's EmpowermentThis information is used in the UNDP-GEF Annual Performance Report, UNDP-GEF Annual Gender Report, reporting to the UNDP Gender Steering and Implementation Committee and for other internal and external communications and learning. The Project Manager and/or Project Gender Officer should complete this section with support from the UNDP Country Office.

Gender Analysis and Action Plan: not availablePlease review the project's Gender Analysis and Action Plan. If the document is not attached or an updated Gender Analysis and/or Gender Action Plan is available please upload the document below or send to the Regional Programme Associate to upload in PIMS+. Please note that all projects approved since 1 July 2014 are required to carry out a gender analysis and all projects approved since 1 July 2018 are required to have a gender analysis and action plan.(not set or not applicable)Please indicate in which results areas the project is contributing to gender equality (you may select more than one results area, or select not applicable):Contributing to closing gender gaps in access to and control over resources: NoImproving the participation and decision-making of women in natural resource governance: YesTargeting socio-economic benefits and services for women: NoNot applicable: NoAtlas Gender Marker RatingGEN2: gender equality as significant objectivePlease describe any experiences or linkages (direct or indirect) between project activities and gender-based violence (GBV). This information is for UNDP use only and will not be shared with GEF Secretariat.

In this reporting period there were no gender specific activities in respect to GBV.

The project is more geared towards one particular waste containing site (Nubarashen) located outside of the city boundaries of Yerevan. The actual work on the site will include the removal and export for disposal of concentrated POPs pesticides waste, and then removal and treatment of contaminated soil with overall stabilization of the site for future safeguarding of the treated soil. As such, this is a narrow focus type of programme, where gender related aspects are indirectly addressed when the exposure to such waste is minimized to the population and women and children as a priority, and at the capacity building for decision making processes on national level hazardous waste management (project board members, laboratory personnel making measurements on POPs in the environment, all stakeholders and CGOs/NGOs interested in haz/waste management strategies for the country etc).Please specify results achieved this reporting period that focus on increasing gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Please explain how the results reported addressed the different needs of men or women, changed norms, values, and power structures, and/or contributed to transforming or challenging gender inequalities and discrimination.In all invitations to and communications for training, public consultation events, the project specifically stresses that women’s participation is strongly encouraged. This is specifically visible in case of a governing board of the project with 50% of members being women from different governmental institutions, including the Prime-Minister and Yerevan's Mayor offices.

The knowledge that this project provides on POPs pesticides management leaves a longer term capacity in the country in this respect for future design of state policies related to hazardous waste management.Please describe how work to advance gender equality and women's empowerment enhanced the project's environmental and/or resilience outcomes.During the Project implementation phase, the initial Gender Marker score was increased from GEN1 to GEN2

Page 42 of 49


(gender equality is a significant objective).

Despite the project’s development objective, i.e. to protect human health and the environment, it is being equally targeted to men and women, and children, although women are more vulnerable to POPs impact especially in terms of reproductive health.

Nevertheless, the project is attaching importance of women's empowerment and expanding women's role in decision making process by involving women-led CSOs in public hearings and public discussion events. In fact, the Project Advisory Committee is represented by 6 women members (out of 12) which is a balanced composition.

The project approaches with special focus in involving women in different supporting activities, including in public awareness raising, planning of measures, capacity building/training, intending to ensure that women account for at least 40% of all preparatory initiatives.

Moreover, the project will continue respective data collection and monitoring programs with respect to gender segregation, as a basis for ensuring long-term gender benefits. In this reporting period there were no gender specific activities.

Page 43 of 49


I. Social and Environmental Standards

Social and Environmental Standards (Safeguards)The Project Manager and/or the project’s Safeguards Officer should complete this section of the PIR with support from the UNDP Country Office. The UNDP-GEF RTA should review to ensure it is complete and accurate.

1) Have any new social and/or environmental risks been identified during project implementation?NoIf any new social and/or environmental risks have been identified during project implementation please describe the new risk(s) and the response to it.No. No new risks except the list of known risks have been identified.2) Have any existing social and/or environmental risks been escalated during the reporting period? For example, when a low risk increased to moderate, or a moderate risk increased to high.YesIf any existing social and/or environmental risks have been escalated during implementation please describe the change(s) and the response to it.RISK: In-feasibility for cost-effective treatment of highly contaminated soil (Category 2 materials) in an environmentally sound manner.

Impact: 5 – ExtremeLikelihood: 4 – Highly LikelyRisk level: HIGH

DESCRIPTION: The proposed cost exceeding the available budget for highly contaminated soil treatment or delays in receiving permits for technology operation may result in in-feasibility of environmentally sound treatment of Category 2 soil.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSE: The step-wise process of tendering and having testing demonstration of capability of candidate (feasible) technologies ensures that technical and environmental performance requirements to remediate the contaminated soil below the Stockholm Convention low-POPs content level will be determined prior to large-scale commitment of resources. In the event if this is unachievable, the default option of secure in-situ containment will be exercised.

SESP: SESP - 4905 Armenia POPs 2016 _signed_.pdfEnvironmental and Social Management Plan/Framework: POPs project_Nubarashen on-site works_ESIA Report.pdfFor reference, please find below the project's safeguards screening (Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) or the old ESSP tool); management plans (if any); and its SESP categorization above. Please note that the SESP categorization might have been corrected during a centralized review.(not set or not applicable)3) Have any required social and environmental assessments and/or management plans been prepared in the reporting period? For example, an updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) or Indigenous Peoples Plan.YesIf yes, please upload the document(s) above. If no, please explain when the required documents will be prepared.An ESIA conducted for Nubarashen on-site works, the report has been submitted to the State Expertise Committee.

Two times a feedback has been received, comments and answers provided. Final approval of the report is pending on adding missing data on the selection of HTI incineration plants abroad, to be defined after the winner proposal is identified through an ongoing tender.

Page 44 of 49


The ESIA report is uploaded to the file library.

4) Has the project received complaints related to social and/or environmental impacts (actual or potential )?NoIf yes, please describe the complaint(s) or grievance(s) in detail including the status, significance, who was involved and what action was taken.N/A

Page 45 of 49


J. Communicating ImpactTell us the story of the project focusing on how the project has helped to improve people’s lives.(This text will be used for UNDP corporate communications, the UNDP-GEF website, and/or other internal and external knowledge and learning efforts.)The project aims at the removal of the Soviet legacy POPs pesticides stockpiles from the burial site located in the outskirts of capital city Yerevan. In doing so, it will meet its objective to protect human health and the environment globally as well as locally through elimination of POPs and obsolete pesticide stockpiles, and addressing associated contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework.

Additionally, the project will provide the critically needed hazardous waste infrastructure and national technical capability for the ongoing management of POPs and other chemical hazardous wastes as well as supporting the strengthening of institutional and regulatory capacity within an overall chemicals management framework.

In the continuation of the project preparatory activities, the ESIA report on “Nubarashen Burial Site waste excavation, safe disposal/clean-up and stabilization” has set forth the anticipated national environmental and social benefits of the project, namely:

1. Elimination of hazardous materials contamination sources in the outskirts of Yerevan and restoration of the original landscape;2. Reduction of impact on the “Erebuni” Reserve located in the vicinity and restoration of the fauna and flora;3. Pollution reduction of water resources (underground and surface) and soil, prevention of further contamination;4. Reducing of health risks of the neighboring communities; improvement of access roads and other infrastructure development; and5. Possible improvement of socio-economic status of the area and increase of social rating.These measures will serve as a basis for the country to further develop the infrastructure and national capacity for the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous chemical waste, as an integral part of an overall hazardous waste management system in Armenia.

The most significant change resulted from the project activities, is the forming of adequate societal perception and public approach toward the importance of hazardous waste management issues of the country, as well as achieving consensus among implementing partners, stakeholders/beneficiaries and concerned communities on the requirements of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions.

In this respect, an important achievement for the project co-financing was the statement made by the Republic of Armenia Prime Minister’s (PM) office: “A USD 1.5 million equivalent AMD will be provided to UNDP to co-finance the UNDP Elimination of obsolete pesticide stockpiles and addressing POPs contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework full sized project, in case of collection of additional revenues”, which was reflected in the Republic of Armenia 2019 state budget (point 12 under the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources chapter).

At this moment, the project mobilized all partners to jointly have a cooperative decision making process over the project's objectives and its challenges, allowed to have an in-depth study on the Nubarashen site and its content which adjusted the previously assessed information on POPs waste volume and its categories, and, based on that information, prepared the project to contract a waste management company to start addressing the Nubarashen's site challenge by ensuring sequenced, seasonal excavation of concentrated POPs material and contaminated soil, and their disposal and remediation, accordingly.

Knowledge Management, Project Links and Social MediaPlease describe knowledge activities / products as outlined in knowledge management approved at CEO Endorsement /Approval.

Please also include: project's website, project page on the UNDP website, blogs, photos stories (e.g. Exposure), Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, as well as hyperlinks to any media coverage of the project, for example, stories written by an outside source. Please upload any supporting files, including photos, videos, stories, and other documents using the 'file lirbary' button in the top right of the PIR.Project page on the UNDP CO website:

Page 46 of 49


http://www.am.undp.org/content/armenia/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/elimination-of-obsolete-pesticide-stockpiles-and-addressing-pops/

Facebook, Elimination of banned and obsolete pesticides in Armenia (ENG): https://www.facebook.com/pg/UNDPArmenia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=895303457217591

Armtimes.com, 14 November 2017, “EIA Public Hearings” (Arm): http://armtimes.com/hy/article/125041https://goo.gl/ZXGhUHhttps://goo.gl/M6oSrJ

MediaMax.am, 19 February 2018, “The conundrum of Nubarashen burial site” (Arm):https://mediamax.am/am/news/special-report/27250/

Public awareness campaign and public information events at Mushavan, Geghadir and Voghjaberd impact communities (ARM/ENG):http://awhhe.am/for-non-toxic-environment-from-local-to-global/

Project Management Board Meeting at the Ministry of Nature Protection, 25 May 2018 (ARM/ENG):http://www.mnp.am/en/post/3108

ArTvAZDARAR 29 June 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEUgBIJddVw

Page 47 of 49


K. Partnerships

Partnerships & Stakeholder EngagmentPlease select yes or no whether the project is working with any of the following partners. Please also provide an update on stakeholder engagement. This information is used by the GEF and UNDP for reporting and is therefore very important! All sections must be completed by the Project Manager and reviewed by the CO and RTA.

Does the project work with any Civil Society Organisations and/or NGOs?YesDoes the project work with any Indigenous Peoples?NoDoes the project work with the Private Sector?YesDoes the project work with the GEF Small Grants Programme?YesDoes the project work with UN Volunteers?NoDid the project support South-South Cooperation and/or Triangular Cooperation efforts in the reporting year?YesCEO Endorsement Request: 4095_Armenia_CEO Endorsement 03122014 for re-submission Track Changes.docProvide an update on progress, challenges and outcomes related to stakeholder engagement based on the description of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan as documented at CEO endorsement/approval (see document below). If any surveys have been conducted please upload all survey documents to the PIR file library.This is the project from GEF-5 time, and the stakeholder engagement was specified in the project document in a different format.

Such cooperation is regular and ensured by the comprehensive involvement of the project's key stakeholders and partner’s relevant representatives in the Project Management Board (8 people) and Project Advisory Committee (13 people). Therefore, there was no need and expediency to conduct surveys with respect to stakeholder engagement.

In fact, “request for feedback” leverage was recurrently used as an operational mean of e-communication and participatory decision making in this group.

The project also cooperates with non-governmental organizations, and one of the previously identified sites for placement of contaminated soil remediation technology (Kotayk) was first changed to a chemical factory on outskirts of Yerevan, and then a temporary storage facility was in consideration at the Nubarashen site in the hills.

Page 48 of 49


L. Annex - Ratings DefinitionsDevelopment Objective Progress Ratings Definitions(HS) Highly Satisfactory: Project is on track to exceed its end-of-project targets, and is likely to achieve transformational change by project closure. The project can be presented as 'outstanding practice'.(S) Satisfactory: Project is on track to fully achieve its end-of-project targets by project closure. The project can be presented as 'good practice'.(MS) Moderately Satisfactory: Project is on track to achieve its end-of-project targets by project closure with minor shortcomings only.(MU) Moderately Unsatisfactory: Project is off track and is expected to partially achieve its end-of-project targets by project closure with significant shortcomings. Project results might be fully achieved by project closure if adaptive management is undertaken immediately.(U) Unsatisfactory: Project is off track and is not expected to achieve its end-of-project targets by project closure. Project results might be partially achieved by project closure if major adaptive management is undertaken immediately.(HU) Highly Unsatisfactory: Project is off track and is not expected to achieve its end-of-project targets without major restructuring.

Implementation Progress Ratings Definitions(HS) Highly Satisfactory: Implementation is exceeding expectations. Cumulative financial delivery, timing of key implementation milestones, and risk management are fully on track. The project is managed extremely efficiently and effectively. The implementation of the project can be presented as 'outstanding practice'.(S) Satisfactory: Implementation is proceeding as planned. Cumulative financial delivery, timing of key implementation milestones, and risk management are on track. The project is managed efficiently and effectively. The implementation of the project can be presented as 'good practice'.(MS) Moderately Satisfactory: Implementation is proceeding as planned with minor deviations. Cumulative financial delivery and management of risks are mostly on track, with minor delays. The project is managed well.(MU) Moderately Unsatisfactory: Implementation is not proceeding as planned and faces significant implementation issues. Implementation progress could be improved if adaptive management is undertaken immediately. Cumulative financial delivery, timing of key implementation milestones, and/or management of critical risks are significantly off track. The project is not fully or well supported. (U) Unsatisfactory: Implementation is not proceeding as planned and faces major implementation issues and restructuring may be necessary. Cumulative financial delivery, timing of key implementation milestones, and/or management of critical risks are off track with major issues and/or concerns. The project is not fully or well supported. (HU) Highly Unsatisfactory: Implementation is seriously under performing and major restructuring is required. Cumulative financial delivery, timing of key implementation milestones (e.g. start of activities), and management of critical risks are severely off track with severe issues and/or concerns. The project is not effectively or efficiently supported.

Page 49 of 49

Date post:	07-Aug-2021
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	5 times
Download:	0 times

Basic Data · Web viewCountry-specific legislation under the requirements of Basel Convention on...

Documents