RT null T1 Protecting the Environment from Persistent Toxic Substances: UNEP’s Action in the Framework of the GEF A1 United Nations Environment Programme, K1 toxic substance YR 2000 FD 2000 LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8095 UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8095 NO Toxic chemicals that persist for a long time in the environment, travel great distances through various media from their point of origin, bio-accumulate in humans and other organisms and are bio-concentrated through food chains are referred to as persistent toxic substances (PTS).PTS are on the priorities of the Contaminant-base Operational Programme of GEF International Waters focal area (OP-10). Building on its historical interests and strengths in the area of chemicals and given its role in the support to the ongoing negotiations for a global POPs convention, UNEP has made a concerted effort to build a coherent portfolio based on strategy paper issued in 1998. DS UN Environment Document Repository RD Sep 17, 2026