Algeria ratifies the Prevention and Emergency Protocol of the Barcelona Convention

Algeria has ratified the "Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea" (Prevention and Emergency Protocol). The country deposited the instrument of Ratification on 14 November 2016, as confirmed by the Government of Spain, Depositary of the Barcelona Convention.

The Prevention and Emergency Protocol will enter into force for Algeria on 14 December 2016. Its ratification demonstrates Algeria’s continued commitment towards the implementation of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols. Having already adopted its National Contingency Plan in 1994, and ratified a number of International instruments to protect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment, Algeria is undoubtedly a key actor in the prevention of and response to marine pollution from ships at the sub-regional, regional and international levels.

Under this important Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, the Parties commit to cooperate to implement international regulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment from ships, and to take all necessary measures in cases of pollution incidents.

The protocol was adopted by the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries held in Malta in 2002, and entered into force in 2004. To date, it has been ratified by Algeria, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Slovenia, and Spain, approved by France and the European Union and adhered to by Montenegro, Syria and Turkey.