MENELAS 2026

The Seventh Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (MENELAS), will be held in Lija, Malta on the 2^nd and 3^rd November 2026. 

The Meeting, which is financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF), is being organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), pursuant to the Programme of Work and Budget for 2026-2027 of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), also referred to as UNEP/MAP, adopted by the Twenty-fourth Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its Protocols (COP 24) (Cairo, Egypt, in December 2025). 

The principal objective of the Meeting will be to:  

a)   review the implementation of the MENELAS Programme of Activities for the period 2026-2027, and in particular to consider:   

• the detailed draft study on the possible criteria and possible minimum level of fines for each offense provided for under the Annexes to MARPOL, as set out in the consolidated draft Decision, as adjusted, taking into consideration the specificities of each Contracting Parties (CPs);  
• the associated draft guidelines to ensure the uniform and effective implementation of the consolidated draft Decision, as adjusted, in the Mediterranean region; 

b)   elect the Chair and Vice Chair of MENELAS for the period 2026-2027;

c)   discuss about cooperation with other regional and international organisations; and

d)   discuss and agree on the items to be included in the MENELAS Programme of Activities for the period 2028-2029.

The target audience for the Meeting are the MENELAS Designated Representatives or their nominated representatives.

WORKING DOCUMENTS - DOCUMENTS DE TRAVAIL