IOPC Funds hosts informal lunch meeting for UK-based representatives of European States

On 17 September 2025, IOPC Funds’ Director, Mr Gaute Sivertsen, hosted an informal lunch meeting for  UK-based representatives of European States.

Representatives from 15 States, including 13 1992 Fund Member States and two non-Member States, attended the event at the IOPC Funds’ London offices.

The Director welcomed attendees and provided a brief overview of the IOPC Funds’ role, for the benefit of attendees not familiar with the organisation.

He emphasised the important role of Member States both during an incident and in the genera management of the IOPC Funds. In this regard, he stressed the need for timely submission of oil reports and highlighted the crucial role that this plays in ensuring the proper functioning of the organisation.

The Director also took the opportunity to remind Member States of the need to attend meetings of the governing bodies and to ensure that the Conventions are correctly implemented into their national legislation. He encouraged non-Member States considering ratification of the Conventions to apply for observer status, noting that this would enable them to attend meetings and learn more about the role of the IOPC Funds.

The event offered the Secretariat an excellent opportunity to engage informally with officials responsible for IOPC Funds’ matters, to establish or renew links  with London-based focal points, strengthen outreach to Member States and promote the international liability and compensation regime for ship-source oil pollution.

The regional lunch meetings, held around three times  a year, are extremely valuable and will continue to be organised. To ensure invitations to such activities are issued to the correct contacts, States are encouraged to inform the Secretariat of any changes in relevant personnel via email at externalrelations@iopcfunds.org.