FAO financed and provided technical support for a project in Syria to complete a national inventory and safeguard all obsolete pesticides in the country. Between September 2004 and November 2005 a total of 600 tonnes of obsolete pesticides from over 100 locations were logged, repackaged in compliance with international regulations and transported to two secure depots in Al-Tanff and Aleppo.

Safe disposal of the obsolete pesticides from Syria will require export and destruction in a dedicated hazardous waste treatment facility in Europe, since Syria does not currently have a facility operating to acceptable international standards. The cost of this operation is estimated at US$1.2 million.

Efforts to secure additional funds to safely dispose of the repackaged pesticides and to build capacity for pesticide life cycle management in Syria have resulted in a commitment from Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). SDC is interested in working with FAO to develop a regional project incorporating Lebanon and Jordan who will gain from Syria's experience in the management of obsolete pesticides. All three countries would also benefit from capacity building activities aimed at reducing risk from pesticides. This project will be developed between June and December 2007 for implementation in 2008-9.

In addition to the support from SDC, additional funds will be needed to complete the disposal of Syria's obsolete pesticides and any additional obsolete pesticides that may be found in Lebanon and Jordan. FAO is approaching potential donors for support.