IMO is contributing to discussions on implementing a global action plan to combat marine litter, at a G7 workshop in Berlin, Germany (18-19 November). The plan aims to deal with worldwide challenges faced by marine ecosystems by addressing research, land- and sea-based sources of marine litter, removing litter from the sea, and public relations. The talks between G7 countries and relevant stakeholders are focusing on financing the ‘G7 Action Plan to combat Marine Litter’, which was adopted at the G7 summit in June this year.
More information on the action plan can be found here. Fredrik Haag, Marine Environment Division, is representing IMO at the workshop.
IMO helps to address the issue of marine litter in a number of ways, including as a co-lead for sea-based litter in the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, contributing to the development of the first so-called Massive Open Online Course on marine litter.