IMO training on the international treaty covering waste dumping at sea, the London Protocol, is underway for Algerian government officials and participants* from shipping companies and port authorities.
The workshop, held in Alger (9-10 April), is enabling cooperation between different sectors – allowing effective implementation of measures aimed at protecting the marine environment from dumping of harmful wastes at sea**.
Participants examined ways of effectively assessing the environmental impact of dumping of certain substances, including dredged material and effluents from desalination plants at sea. They also discussed the advantages of being part of the global network of experts and scientists linked to the London Protocol and their ongoing research on innovative sustainable techniques preventing marine pollution caused by dumping.
The event was organized by IMO’s Office of the London Convention & Protocol and Ocean Affairs with the Directorate of Merchant Navy and Ports of the Algerian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
* 35 participants from ministries and administrations responsible for transport, environment, fisheries, tourism and foreign Affairs, as well as shipping companies and port authorities
** as set out in the London Protocol and the Dumping Protocol of the Barcelona Convention – the regional convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea established under UN Environment’s Regional Seas Programme