Informal lunch meeting for States from the Latin American and Caribbean region

On 12 July 2023, the Director, Mr Gaute Sivertsen, hosted an informal lunch meeting for the UK-based representatives of States from the Latin American and Caribbean region at the IOPC Funds’ offices.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 17 States, including eleven 1992 Fund Member States, one of which is also a Member State of the Supplementary Fund, and six non-Member States.

After welcoming all the attendees, Mr Sivertsen gave a brief overview of the IOPC Funds for the benefit of those representatives who were unfamiliar with the organisation and took the opportunity to remind all those present of the important role of Member States both during an incident and in the general management of the organisation.  He emphasised, in particular, the obligations of Member States to ensure oil reports are submitted to the Secretariat annually and encouraged attendance at meetings of the governing bodies. He explained that those non-Member States considering ratification of the Conventions were welcome to apply for observer status so that they could also attend those meetings and learn more about the important role of the IOPC Funds.

This event provided an excellent opportunity for the Secretariat to engage directly with those responsible for IOPC Funds’ matters in an informal setting, establishing or reconnecting with London-based focal points, strengthening Member State engagement and promoting the international regime.

The Director was also pleased to be joined by the Head of the Latin America and Caribbean Section of the Technical Cooperation Division of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr Carlos Salgado. The IMO and IOPC Funds regularly work together to offer support and assistance to States on the ratification and implementation of the relevant Conventions, including workshops and training activities. For further information, please contact externalrelations@iopcfunds.org.

The regional lunch meetings are extremely useful and will continue to be organised during the year ahead. To ensure invitations to such activities are issued to the correct contacts, States are encouraged to inform the Secretariat via the email above of any changes in relevant personnel.