Regional IMO Level 3 Seminars in Russia

Kevin O'Connell represented the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at two Regional Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response Training Seminars for Government Administrators and Senior Managers in Novorossiysk and Astrakhan. At both events, Kevin delivered a welcome address on behalf of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Admiral E. Mitropoulos. The seminars are part of a highly successful IMO programme to build capacity with the two regions and to promote the development of National and Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plans and facilitate bi-lateral, multi-lateral and regional co-operation.

Dave Oland talks about specialist equipment

The Novorossiysk seminar was organized by the IMO under the auspices of the Bucharest Convention in co-operation with State Marine Pollution Control, Salvage and Rescue Administration (SMPCSRA) of the Russian Federation. Attendees represented government organizations and industry from all the littoral countries of the Black Sea region, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Assistance was given by Dave Oland of Oil Spill Response Ltd representing the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) under the Global Initiative (GI). The event was held at the Novorossiysk State Maritime Academy.

The participants from the Caspian littoral states

The Astrakhan seminar was also organized by IMO in co-operation with SMPCSRA, under the auspices of the Caspian Environment Programme. Attendees represented government organizations and industry from all the countries surrounding the Caspian Sea, including Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Assistance was given by Wayne O'Brien of OSRL representing IPIECA under the GI programme. The event was held at the State Maritime Administration Building in Astrakhan.