When it comes to environmental protection, the UN system relies on scientific advice from an advisory body known as GESAMP. GESAMP’s role is to bring issues of concern to the attention of Governments, sponsoring organizations and the scientific community at large. IMO has provided the secretariat for GESAMP since its inception in 1969, and hosts the GESAMP Office as part of its Marine Environment Division.
The 42nd session of this body is now underway at UNESCO HQ in Paris (31 August - 3 September). A review of the current working groups of GESAMP, discussion of possible new and emerging issues, establishment of new working groups, and a side-event on desalination and the marine environment are all on the agenda. GESAMP is the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection.