Sixteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) – May 13, 2025

    Sixteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC)
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    MEETING | 16th Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC

     The 16th Meeting of the Focal Points of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) concluded successfully in Malta. The Meeting was held in Sliema, Malta, from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th May 2025.

    This biennial gathering brought together over 80 representatives from Mediterranean countries, regional organizations, and UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention Partners to advance our collective efforts in marine pollution prevention and response.

    Key outcomes from the meeting include:

    - Adoption of the Roadmap for Transitioning to Low Carbon Shipping in the Mediterranean Sea that outlines a strategic plan to reduce GHG emissions from shipping operations in the Mediterranean

    -Development of a Policy Framework on Gender and Youth Mainstreaming aimed to ensure that gender and youth considerations are integrated into all aspects of the Mediterranean Strategy

    -Adoption of the Guidelines for the use of dispersants for combating oil pollution at sea in the Mediterranean region that reflect the specific characteristics of the Mediterranean and incorporate the latest developments on dispersants

    - Adoption of Guidelines for the Development of joint Spill Exercises within the Framework of the Sub-regional Contingency Plans to facilitate the planning and execution of joint thematic tabletop, as well as real-case contingency exercises

    - Enhanced Surveillance Tools: Endorsed a common marine oil pollution detection and investigation report to support coordinated aerial surveillance operations

    - Strategic Planning: Reviewed and refined the work on the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for the Prevention of Preparedness and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2022–2031)

    - Strengthening the Mediterranean Assistance Unit (MAU): Discussed measures to bolster the MAU Revolving Fund, ensuring sustained support for expert missions.

    These discussions and decisions are pivotal as we work towards a cleaner and more resilient Mediterranean. The outcomes will be presented at the upcoming MAP Focal Points Meeting and the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention later this year.


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    Background Information

    Organised on a biennial basis, in accordance with Article 18 of the 2002 Prevention and Emergency Protocol, the Meeting serves as an opportunity for representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (jointly nominated by the REMPEC Governmental Focal Points, in consultation with the REMPEC Prevention Focal Points and the REMPEC OPRC Focal Points), representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations and industry partners, the activities of which are relevant to the work of the Centre, to meet and examine the implementation of REMPEC's activities and deliverables since the last Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC, as well as to discuss and agree upon the activities and deliverables of the draft Programme of Work for the biennium 2026-2027 of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), prior to their submission, for approval by the next Meeting of the MAP Focal Points (Athens, Greece, 16-19 September 2025), and for adoption 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) (Egypt, 2-5 December 2025).

    Who are the National Focal Points of REMPEC ?  

    Designated by the relevant Ministries or bodies of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, in consultation with the UNEP/MAP Focal Points, the National Focal Points of REMPEC whose responsibilities are defined by Decision IG 17/5 of the said Contracting Parties, are to be the main points of contact between REMPEC and the organisations or governments they belong to.

    They are nominated by each Contracting Party to the Barcelona Convention to coordinate the activities mandated to the Centre and are represented as follows:

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    More information about the Focal Point Meetings of REMPEC: