Egypt participated in the Fifteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) in Kappara, Malta from 13-15 June 2023. The Egyptian delegation consisted of a representative of the Maritime Transport & Logistics Sector (prevention focal point) and another representative of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (OPCR focal point).

The Meeting discussed REMPEC activities in the region which included the need to urge Member States to ratify and effectively implement MARPOL Annex VI, as well as the Protocol on Cooperation in the Field of Preventing Pollution from Ships and Combating Pollution in the Mediterranean (2002 Protocol for Pollution and Emergencies) In order to achieve its objectives globally in the Mediterranean region.

Egypt had previously participated in the Regional Expert Meeting on the harmonization of procedures in the Mediterranean pursuant to the BWM Convention in Kappara, Malta from 20 -23 March 2023. The Meeting aimed at establishing a framework for a regional harmonized approach in the Mediterranean on ships’ ballast water control and management that is consistent with the requirements and standards of the BWM Convention ratified by Egypt since 2007. The harmonized procedures will become mandatory once adopted by the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations.