Developments and improvement in the state of preparedness and response capabilities in the region have been slow, but in recent years there has been progress towards improved regional co-operation.
The Jeddah Convention of 1982, formally titled "Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment," provides an important basis for environmental cooperation in the Region. It was the result of a Regional Intergovernmental Conference, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Regional Intergovermental Conference also adopted a "Programme for the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERGSA)." PERGSA is an intergovernment body dedicated to the conservation of the coastal and marine environments. Its daily affairs are managed by a secretariat run by a team of professionals recruited from various countries in the region. All countries in the region are currently party to the Jeddah Convention and members of PERGSA.
In addition to regional agreements and conventions a number of initiatives have been developed that aim to promote and encourage cooperation and mutual assistance. These initiatives include, for example, a regional oil spill contingency plan between Israel, Egypt and Jordan ensuring cooperation and assistance for oil spills within the Gulf of Aqaba.
Efforts are also being made to protect the marine environment under the World Bank funded Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which aims to improve coastal and marine environments by reducing navigational risks and preventing and controlling marine pollution in a regional context. The countries of Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen have established marine protected areas consistent with the aims of the SAP for promoting awareness of the sensitivitives of the marine environment.
Progress with regard to implementation of international conventions over the past decade has been relatively slow. As at October 2003, only two of the seven countries have ratified MARPOL 73/78 and OPRC 90. Two states are party to the CLC 92. Despite the limited oil imports and high risk of pollution damage within the region, only Djibouti has ratified Fund 92 to date.
The knowledge of national contingency planning within the region is limited. However, it is understood that most of the states have some form of contingency planning arrangements in place. The extent of implementation varies from government plans to national oil company plans, draft plans awaiting approval and co-opperative plans involving more than one country. Generally the industry plans are exercised regularly.
Improvements in preparedness and response capabilities may be expected with recent initiatives by PERGSA and ROPME (the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment, which comprises Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Emirates) in promoting greater co-operation between the countries of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and those of the Gulf.
In addition to the regional initiatives, the Petroleum Association of Japan has a significant stockpile located in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and another in Saudi Arabia. This non-profit, trade association has a number of stockpiles strategically located along the tanker route from the Middle East to Japan. The equipment is available free of charge to anyone in need of assistance, subject to the equipment being returned clean and any damaged items repaired or replaced.
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Satelite view of the Middle East. Photo: NASA
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