IMO’s Colleen O’Hagan has emphasized the importance of widespread ratification of international conventions relating to marine pollution at a workshop on trans-boundary maritime environmental pollution, taking place in Brisbane, Australia (20-22 May). The course, aimed at technical and policy officials from ASEAN countries with operational and policy responsibility for maritime pollution, is part of an initiative by the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) on ASEAN Seafarers’ Training (EAST).

Ratification of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) was one of the treaties highlighted by Ms O’Hagan during her keynote speech at the event, which is being co-chaired by Australia and Viet Nam and hosted by the Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the University of Queensland, Australia.