Upcoming events

The IOPC Funds will run an induction course for representatives of the 1992 Fund Member States immediately prior to the sessions of the governing bodies, on the afternoon of Monday 4 November 2024, at the Funds’ headquarters in London.

The 2024 Induction Course is open to all interested delegates; however, it is designed in particular to benefit those who are either new to the IOPC Funds or have little prior knowledge of the organisations.  The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the organisation, including a general explanation of the legal framework behind it, its structure and that of its governing bodies. It will also detail what to expect as a delegate to IOPC Funds’ meetings, and the important role of a Member State representative in the various areas of work of the IOPC Funds outside of meetings.

Delegates interested in participating in the Induction Course are kindly requested to register online by Monday, 28 October 2024.

See circular IOPC/2024/Circ.5 for more information.

The next regular meeting of the IOPC Funds governing bodies will take place from 5 to 8 November 2024. The invitation and provisional agenda, including a provisional timetable for the sessions, have been issued to all Member States, and States and organisations with observer status. To register for the meeting, click here.

The IOPC Funds have been invited to participate in the 10th Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa (GI WACAF) Regional Conference, scheduled to take place from 25 to 28 November in Lomé, Togo. IOPC Funds’ Director, Gaute Sivertsen, will attend the event and share insight into the Funds’ role as well as the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions and the Supplementary Fund Protocol, which together form the basis of the international regime for ship-source oil pollution.

GI WACAF is a joint project between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues, to enhance the capacity of partner States to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills.

Interspill 2025, the European oil spill conference and exhibition, will take place at ExCeL London, in London, United Kingdom, from 8-10 April 2025. As a supporter of the event and member of the organising committee, the IOPC Funds’ Secretariat is involved in the organisation of the conference and will also have a stand at the exhibition, providing information on the work of the organisation as well as guidance on the claims process and admissibility criteria. 

As a leading event for oil spill research, prevention, preparedness, the conference will focus on increased spill risk caused by oil production’s shift towards mature basins, often with older infrastructure, and on concerns over pollutants like debris and plastics. 

Delegates will be addressed by global thought-leaders representing international spill response companies, the private sector, as well as governmental and non- governmental bodies. Prospective participants, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors are invited to indicate their interest in attending by registering here. 

A number of seminars, workshops, training events, and networking activities are planned to run in parallel with the conference and exhibition.   

The IOPC Funds are looking forward to this opportunity to engage directly with the response community, to raise awareness of the role of the organisation, and to contribute to the training activities relating to preparedness by discussing claims for compensation for damage caused by a major oil spill or hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) incident.