Informal regional lunch meeting

On 24 June 2016, the Director of the IOPC Funds hosted an informal lunch meeting for the London-based representatives of both Member and non-Member States from Africa with the aim of discussing and engaging informally on various subjects relating to the Funds’ work.
In welcoming guests, the Director acknowledged that the African region accounts for 7% of the world’s proven oil reserves, and with the recent expansion of oil exports along the west coast, Africa has seen a notable increase in oil transported by sea. He emphasised the importance of Africa’s maritime transport infrastructure developing the appropriate contingency measures in place in the event of a spill, referring to the recent ‘ghost’ oil tanker that had washed-up on the Liberian shores as a strong reminder of the vulnerability of Africa’s coastlines.
The Director indicated that Africa was high on the Secretariat’s agenda, in particular with a commitment to assisting States that are considering joining or in need of a clearer understanding of the regime, citing among other recent events this year’s EU-funded MARENDA training project on marine pollution in February in Accra, Ghana and a GI-WACAF workshop in May in Mindelo, Cabo Verde.
Finally, he reminded those present that the organisation can only operate effectively if Member States contribute to its work and deliberations and encouraged Member States to participate in the October 2016 sessions of the governing bodies.