Red Sea & Gulf of Aden

Agreements

Initiatives

Actors


Jeddah Convention + PERSGA
Convention: The Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment (Jeddah Convention) was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1985. The objective of the Convention is to ensure conservation of the environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by the promotion, on a regional basis, of environmental protection and natural resources management in the marine and coastal areas of the region. ••• There is also a Protocol Concerning Regional Co-operation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency (adopted in 1982, in force in 1985
PERSGA: The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), is the regional organization responsible for the development and implementation of regional programmes for the protection and conservation of the marine environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. PERSGA, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was formally established in 1996, with the signing of the Cairo Declaration by all cooperating parties to the Jeddah Convention. ••• Major functions of PERSGA include the implementation of the Jeddah Convention, the Action Plan, and the Protocol. The organization has also been given responsibility for the preparation and implementation of the Strategic Action Programme and related activities. PERSGA has played an active role in promoting regional cooperation and has recently supported regional workshops concerning environmental assessment (EA), Marine Protected Areas, Navigation risks and living marine resources.

Strategic Action Programme for the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden + PERSGA
The goal of the Strategic Action Programme for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SAP) is to provide a framework for the long-term conservation of the unique habitats of the Region and to promote the sustainable management of renewable marine resources. Reduction of Navigation Risks and Marine Pollution is one important component of the Programme. The Programme was initiated in 1998 and is scheduled to end after four years. The countries involved include: Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. ••• See also PERSGA.

Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan
As part of the Regional Environmental Action Plan for the Gulf of Aqaba, the World Bank-GEF-International Waters project will (a) develop regional collaborative mechanisms for strengthening the capacity to protect coastal zone and marine biodiversity; (b) develop and enforce the legal framework and regulations for control of transboundary pollution; (c) provide safeguards against oil pollution; (d) establish and implement guidelines for sustainable development of the coastal zone; (e) assess the effects of wastewater seepage on the quality and level of the transboundary water table; (f) implement a plan to control solid waste impacts on marine and coastal waters; and (g) demarcate and manage a marine protected area. ••• See also PERSGA.

Indian Ocean MoU on Port State Control
According to the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, each Authority will establish and maintain an effective system of Port State Control with a view of ensuring that, without discrimination as to flag, foreign merchant ships visiting the ports of its State comply with the standards laid down in the relevant international instruments.