Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP project: Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management Secretariat (SAICM)

This report is a terminal evaluation of a UN Environment project implemented between 2016 and 2015 entitled “Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management Secretariat SAICM”. The Secretariat was established in June 2006 with the explicit purpose of facilitating the implementation of SAICM – an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary agreement – and the achievement of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The aim of the Secretariat was to maximise the number of countries and stakeholders participating in the implementation of SAICM. The Secretariat was also mandated to administer the Quick Start Programme (QSP) Trust Fund – a fund designed to provide seed money to (mainly) governments from low income countries, countries in economic transition, and small island states, to enable them to build initial capacities for managing chemicals sustainably. The evaluation assesses the project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency), and the outcomes and impacts (actual and potential) stemming from the project, including their sustainability. The evaluation has two primary purposes: (i) to provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements, and (ii) to promote learning, feedback, and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned among UN Environment and partners in the project participating countries.