Black Sea Countries Outline Action Plan to Strengthen Oil Spill Response Capabilities

Countries bordering the Black Sea have developed an action plan aimed at enhancing the region’s oil spill response capabilities and better protecting the marine environment. This initiative was formulated by fifteen government officials from Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine during a workshop organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Bucharest, Romania, from July 10-12.

The event received support from representatives of the Black Sea Commission, the Oil Spill Preparedness Regional Initiative (OSPRI) for the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and Central Eurasia, and IMO.

Key Objectives and Achievements

The workshop aimed to promote the effective implementation of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Convention. It also focused on strengthening cooperation among the countries in the Black Sea region.

Highlights of the Workshop

1. Understanding Regional Frameworks: Participants were familiarized with the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention). They also examined the roles of key regional and international stakeholders in oil spill response cooperation.
2. Developing the Action Plan: The action plan emphasizes the importance of regional and subregional agreements and consistency in planning, as set out in the OPRC Convention. This is particularly crucial as countries in the Black Sea region share numerous transboundary issues.
3. Sharing Experiences and Best Practices: Countries shared their experiences and good practices in oil spill response. They also identified preparedness gaps that need to be addressed in future regional capacity-building efforts.
4. Bolstering Technical Cooperation: The workshop underscored the need for effective technical cooperation and the sharing of resources and expertise among Black Sea countries to enhance their collective oil spill response capabilities.

Future Steps

The action plan is expected to serve as a foundation for ongoing and future efforts to improve oil spill preparedness and response in the Black Sea region. By fostering stronger regional cooperation and aligning with international conventions, the plan aims to mitigate the impact of oil spills and protect the marine environment more effectively.

The workshop was delivered through IMO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives that enhance maritime safety and environmental protection.