The GEF Project on the Removal of Barriers to the Effective Implementation of Ballast Water Control and Management Measures in Developing Countries
29 The Working Group was informed of a project proposal submitted by IMO through UNDP to the Global Environment Facility (MEPC 40/10/2). This project had been approved very recently during the intersessional period. It was the aim of this project to identify the assistance needed by less developed countries in their development and implementation of national provisions on ballast water control, based on the IMO regulations that are currently being developed.
30 The UNDP representative described the objectives of the project and related planned activities. These include the following:
.1 identification of the most promising ballast water control and management alternatives for developing countries;
.2 identification of barriers to be removed in order to allow effective implementation of these alternatives;
.3 determination of effective strategies for removing the barriers identified;
.4 provision of support for implementation of barrier removal strategies; and
.5 testing of ballast water management approaches and barrier removal measures via a series of demonstration sites in developing countries.
31 The testing of ballast water management options in various demonstration sites in developing countries as mentioned under sub-paragraph 30.5 above would lead to the preparation of a GEF full project document. In the full project stage each demonstration site will have its own Steering Committee in the full project stage including representatives from the countries, port and shipping industries, NGO's and other stakeholders. the UNDP representative further noted that during this session he has made information contacts with delegations from countries of the various regions to consider arrangements in connection with the establishment of demonstration sites.
32 The Working Group strongly supported the project, recalling a request it had made several years ago that the Secretariat should investigate possibilities of identifying funds necessary to promote ballast water management in all countries It considered administrative arrangements for the implementation of the project Several delegations expressed their willingness to investigate in their countries any assistance that could be provided, e.g., in the form of expertise and facilities (in-kind support), as appropriate.
33 In response to questions concerning "costs" and "financing" tabled in the project document under "Items to be financed", the Secretariat noted that sums set out under "Governments" for consultation reporting and visits (USS 110,000 in total) referred to costs provided by governments for their experts attending meetings to consult and to negotiate in regard to ballast water control and management issues as well as on issues directly related to the implementation of the project. Such meetings were in fact those of the MEPC Ballast Water Working Group, as well as of other fora at which matters related to the project were discussed. Likewise, financial contributions had been set out for support provided in-kind by IMO (Secretarial), maritime industries and port associations. It was quite obvious that the project could not be implemented without the co-operation of these non-governmental organizations and associations. It had also been assumed that shipowners would provide facilities on board ships for the conduct of sampling exercises, e.g., during workshops.
