MEA Membership
Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
The Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) is the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing. Its main objective is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches. In this way, the agreement reduces the incentive of such vessels to continue to operate while it also blocks fishery products derived from IUU fishing from reaching national and international markets. The effective implementation of the Agreement ultimately contributes to the long-term conservation and sustainable use
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA)
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA)
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago. Developed under the framework of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), AEWA brings together countries and the wider international conservation community in an effort to establish coordinated conservation and management of migratory waterbirds
Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
To address certain difficulties with the seabed mining provisions contained in Part XI of the Convention, which had been raised, primarily by the industrialized countries, the Secretary-General convened in July 1990 a series of informal consultations which culminated in the adoption, on 28 July 1994, of the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982. The Agreement entered into force on 28 July 1996. The Agreement was adopted on 28 July 1994 and entered into force on 28 July 1996. It consists of 10 articles
Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted on 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations. The BBNJ Agreement becomes the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under the overall objective of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas
Amendment to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Amendment to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Bamako Convention
Bamako Convention
The scope of the Convention is confined to hazardous wastes, though not wastes from ship discharges covered by another Convention. Hazardous substances banned, cancelled or refused registration by government regulatory action for health or environmental reasons, are defined as hazardous wastes under the Convention. Radioactive wastes are covered also by the Convention (art. 2). Parties agree to enact legislation identifying and categorising hazardous wastes not already listed in the Convention (art. 3). The purpose of the Convention is to prohibit the import of all hazardous and radioactive
Basel Convention
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in 1989 and it came into force in 1992. It is the most comprehensive global environmental agreement on hazardous wastes and other wastes. The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, transboundary movements and management of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit"). It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification. The first session of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November – 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas. The Convention on Biological Diversity was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more
Convention on Migratory Species
Convention on Migratory Species
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals As an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, CMS provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. CMS brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range. As the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes, CMS
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”. Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to work towards the wise use of all
Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
The convention aims to ensure that the Atlantic tuna population is maintained at levels that will permit the maximum sustainable catch for food and other purposes, and introduces the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) - including Annex I/II
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) - including Annex I/II
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a spate of tanker accidents in 1976-1977. As the 1973 MARPOL Convention had not yet entered into force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the parent Convention. The combined instrument entered into force on 2 October 1983. In 1997, a Protocol was adopted to amend
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) - Annex III: Hazardous substances carried in packaged form
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) - Annex III: Hazardous substances carried in packaged form
Optional Annex to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) in regards of hazardous substances carried in packaged form. Summary of provisions: The Annex sets Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged forms, or in freight containers, portable tanks or road and rail tank wagons. Such carriage of harmful substances is prohibited except in accordance with the provisions of the Annex, which are to be supplemented by detailed requirements issued by each Party
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling was signed in 1946 and it is the International Whaling Commission’s founding document. The Convention includes a legally binding Schedule which, amongst other things, sets out catch limits for commercial and aboriginal subsistence whaling. The Schedule is an integral part of the Convention, but its provisions, for example catch limits, may be amended by the Commission. In practice, amendments to the Schedule are almost always agreed at the Commission’s biennial meetings. The IWC is the global body charged with the conservation of
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions .These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Minamata Convention on Mercury
The Minamata Convention draws attention to a global and ubiquitous metal that, while naturally occurring, has broad uses in everyday objects and is released to the atmosphere, soil and water from a variety of sources. Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury throughout its lifecycle has been a key factor in shaping the obligations under the Convention. Major highlights of the Minamata Convention include a ban on new mercury mines, the phase-out of existing ones, the phase-out and phase-down of mercury use in a number of products and processes, control measures on emissions to air and
Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere, and thereby protect the earth as fragile ozone Layer. The original Montreal Protocol was agreed on 16 September 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989.
Nagoya Protocol
Nagoya Protocol
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding, thereby contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and the
Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.
Rotterdam Convention
Rotterdam Convention
The objectives of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade are: To promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm; To contribute to the environmentally sound use of those hazardous chemicals, by facilitating information exchange about their characteristics, by providing for a national decision-making process on their import and export and by
Stockholm Convention
Stockholm Convention
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have adverse effects to human health or to the environment. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and even diminished intelligence. Given
The Beijing Amendment (1999)
The Beijing Amendment (1999)
The Beijing Amendment (1999)The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Eleventh Meeting of the Parties (Beijing, 29 November – 3 December 1999) The Beijing Amendment entered into force on 25 February 2002
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11 September 2003.
The Copenhagen Amendment (1992)
The Copenhagen Amendment (1992)
The Copenhagen Amendment (1992): The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Fourth Meeting of the Parties (Copenhagen, 23-25 November 1992) The Copenhagen Amendment entered into force on 14 June 1994
The Kigali Amendment (2016)
The Kigali Amendment (2016)
The Kigali Amendment (2016): The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the Parties (Kigali, 10-15 October 2016).
The London Amendment (1990)
The London Amendment (1990)
The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Second Meeting of the Parties (London, 27–29 June 1990) The London Amendment entered into force on 10 August 1992.
The Montreal Amendment (1997)
The Montreal Amendment (1997)
The Montreal Amendment (1997): The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Ninth Meeting of the Parties (Montreal, 15-17 September 1997) The Montreal Amendment entered into force on 10 November 1999
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
The Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UN Fish Stocks Agreement) entered into force on 11 December 2001. The UN Fish Stocks Agreement aims to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks within the framework of UNCLOS. The Agreement also spells out the duties of flag States including those related to registration and records of vessels
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
The Convention was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This marked the culmination of more than 14 years of work involving participation by more than 150 countries representing all regions of the world, all legal and political systems and the spectrum of socio/economic development. At the time of its adoption, the Convention embodied in one instrument traditional rules for the uses of the oceans and at the same time introduced new legal concepts and regimes and addressed new concerns. The Convention also provided the framework for further development of specific
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity, were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Vienna Convention
Vienna Convention
The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are dedicated to the protection of the earths ozone layer. With 197 parties, they are the most widely ratified treaties in United Nations history, and have, to date, enabled reductions of over 97% of all global consumption of controlled ozone depleting substances (measured in ODP tonnes).
Ramsar and Word Heritage Sites
Contacts
Mr. Paul Traore
- Abidjan Convention (2)
- Basel Convention (2)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (5)
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (3)
- Convention on Migratory Species (1)
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (4)
- Kyoto Protocol (3)
- Minamata Convention on Mercury (2)
- Nagoya Protocol (1)
- Paris Agreement (3)
- Rotterdam Convention (3)
- Stockholm Convention (2)
- The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (4)
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (2)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (3)
Upcoming Meetings
No upcoming events.