Farewell to Lilia Khodjet El Khil – Oct 12, 2010

Ms Lilia Khodjet El Khil, Programme Officer (Marine Environment Protection) at REMPEC has left the Centre to take up a new position with the Canadian Shipping Federation in Montreal, Canada, after eight years of exceptional service.

Lilia, a maritime lawyer, joined REMPEC in 2002 as a Project Officer in charge of the implementation of an EU-funded MEDA regional project on port reception facilities for ship generated wastes.  In 2005, she was appointed as Programme Officer (Marine Environment Protection), her main duties being primarily to assist Mediterranean coastal States in implementing and enforcing relevant international maritime Conventions by conducting capacity building activities and facilitating the development of regional strategies and legislation. Her field of activities included inter alia illicit discharges from ships and prosecution of offenders, prevention of pollution from pleasure boat activities, marine protected areas as well as ships’ ballast water management and invasive species. She was particularly active on this last topic during the last three years assisting the Contracting Parties in developing a regional Strategy and building capacities through the implementation of the GEF UNDP IMO GloBallast Partnerships Project.

During a staff farewell lunch, Mr Frederic Hebert, Director of REMPEC, paid tribute to Lilia’s dedicated service to the Centre and presented her with the crest of REMPEC and with a small memento. All the Staff members at REMPEC wish Lilia success and happiness in her new position and location.