The Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 1982 (The Jeddah Convention), under the auspices of ALECSO, sets out the terms of regional cooperation among the signatory parties in regards to marine and coastal environmental protection. It specifically priorities the need for collaboration in the control of marine pollution, scientific and technical assistance, environmental management and the development of environmental standards. There are four protocols related to this convention: 1. Protocol Concerning Regional Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency, 1982: This Protocol accounts for the threat of oil spills and the emergency actions that are needed as a result. It priorities the need for cooperative and effective measures to deal with such emergencies and enhanced response mechanisms in order to protect the regional marine environment from adverse oil spill effects. 2. Protocol Concerning the Conservation of Biological Diversity and the Establishment of Network of Protected Areas in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, 2005: This protocol addresses the rising threats from land-based sources of pollution (such as sewage, industrial effluents etc) to both the marine environment and human health. The Protocol responds to emerging LBA issues from recent global summits and aligns itself with the articles contained in section 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), as well as the UNEP-GPA goals. Furthermore, PERSGA’s maturing ICZM work in its Member States potentially lays a solid foundation for addressing the national-regional character of LBA activities in terms of land-based pollution affecting the marine environment. 3. Protocol Concerning the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, 2005: This protocol recognizes the interconnected nature of marine ecosystems and the usefulness of MPAs for helping to sustain healthy populations of important species. The Protocol was prepared in cooperation with ROPME and the GCC, with EU support, and was created with the aim to complement existing international treaties, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. 4. Protocol Concerning the Exchange of Personnel and Equipment in Case of Marine Emergency, 2009.
In 1975, 16 Mediterranean countries and the European Community adopted the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), the first-ever Regional Seas Programme under UNEP umbrella. In 1976 these Parties adopted the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona Convention). Seven Protocols addressing specific aspects of Mediterranean environmental conservation complete the MAP legal framework: 1. Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (Prevention and Emergency Protocol) 2. Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Hazardous Wastes Protocol) 3. Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil (Offshore Protocol) 4. Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol) 5. Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA and Biodiversity Protocol) 6. Protocol for the Prevention and Elimination of Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft or Incineration at Sea (Dumping Protocol) 7. Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean (ICZM Protocol) The Convention main objectives are: • to assess and control marine pollution • to ensure sustainable management of natural marine and coastal resources; • to integrate the environment in social and economic development; • to protect the marine environment and coastal zones through prevention and reduction of pollution, and as far as possible, elimination of pollution, whether land or sea-based; • to protect the natural and cultural heritage; • to strengthen solidarity among Mediterranean coastal States; • to contribute to improvement of the quality of life.