21.1 In accordance with rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure, the Committee unanimously re-elected Mr. Andreas Chrysostomou (Cyprus) as Chairman, and re-elected Mr. Ajoy Chatterjee (India) as Vice-Chairman, both for 2007.

　

　

22.1 The Committee, having recalled that children representing the Junior programme of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) had last informed the Committee of their activities to protect the marine environment in 1999, noted with much appreciation two presentations by 12 year olds Dionysia Lymperopoulou (representing HELMEPA JUNIOR) and Serra Kuman (representing TURMEPA JUNIOR).

　

22.2 The two girls highlighted how their respective Marine Environment Protection Associations (MEPAs) had assisted them in gaining a better understanding of the immense problem of marine pollution and how they were motivated to become environmentally aware and responsible citizens of tomorrow. They also pointed out how they had had to confront the indifference of grownups towards nature but noted that the common work for a cleaner planet, by all children-members of the MEPA Juniors, had made them stronger. Their voices were being heard from as far afield as possible, from children around the world and from other MEPAs, all helping to make this world better.

　

22.3 The two MEPA Juniors stressed that it was the responsibility of all to give to the next generation, a planet that is healthy and inhabitable by all species of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, it was their generation, as well as the ones to come, that would have to confront the environmental issues of the planet. The MEPA Juniors suggested that they would punish ships leaving garbage, poisonous materials or invasive species in their beautiful countries and seas. They also hoped that they could fund organizations trying to save the sea animals and marine environment and called on the IMO to use all its power to save the seas, noting that it was a very precious treasure that needed help and protection.

　

22.4 The Secretary-General, in extending his sincere gratitude to the girls for making the considerable journey to London, recognized that their work had been effective in dealing with local environmental problems, such as marine debris on beaches in the communities of several countries in the Mediterranean Sea area, and in raising awareness of the need to protect the marine environment.

　

22.5 The Secretary-General reminded the Committee that he had, on a number of occasions, spoken about increasing IMO's visibility amongst the younger generation and he recalled that IMO had made some significant steps in this direction, by facilitating the attendance of children at the Children's World Summit for the Environment last year, in co-operation with the Junior sections of HELMEPA, TURMEPA and CYMEPA.

　

22.6 The Secretary-General stressed that children everywhere were sentinels in a world under pressure, yet, at the same time, they provided much needed hope for the future and that we should listen to them and provide encouragement and support for their endeavours and ideas.

　

22.7 In view of this, the Secretary-General set out a range of actions, with a view to promoting the development of an IMO Children's policy. This policy would aim to establish stronger relationships with children in the wider world through nitiatives that would be introduced in the coming months. These IMO Children's Initiatives would include:

　

　

　

22.8 The Committee noted the information provided by the Secretariat (MEPC 55/22/1) on the "Global Integrated Shipping Information System" (GISIS) and emphasized the importance of this system which allows public access to sets of data collected by the Secretariat.

　

　

22.9 The Committee recalled that, at previous sessions, it was presented with information regarding the issue of whale protection in the context of identifying and implementing Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas and Special Areas, reducing the effect of harmful anti-fouling systems (organotins) on whales, and in regard to new and amended traffic separation systems to minimize ship collisions with whales.

　

22.10 The Committee noted with appreciation the report of the International Whaling Commission (MEPC 55/22 and MEPC 55/INF.22) on Ship Strikes with Cetaceans presented by Belgium and, in particular, the information on the ship-related recommendations aimed at reducing cetacean mortality due to ship strikes. The Committee also noted that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was seeking ways to co-ordinate better with IMO, with a view to improving the conservation of cetaceans and the safety of passengers and crew on ships navigating near cetaceans.

　

22.11 The Committee also noted that this work was primarily conducted by the Ship Strikes Working Group of the IWC which was established in June 2005 under the Conservation Committee of the IWC on the initiative of Belgium^*. The work was endorsed by the IWC during its 58^th annual meeting held in St Kitts and Nevis in June 2006.

　

22.12 The Committee further noted that the report proposed that the Organization might assist in areas such as:

　

　

22.13 The Committee also noted, with interest, the statement made by the representative of UNEP/CMS, who stressed that ships strikes remained a serious threat to the survival of several cetacean species and the increasing number of vessels and their speeds were a serious worry for a UN conservation body like CMS.

　

22.14 The representative noted the need for interagency co-operation in order to promote a better co-ordination on initiatives for the conservation and protection of cetaceans, and possibly reinforce the conservation message within UN bodies whose mandate takes them to protect the marine environment. In this regard, the representative called on IMO to set in motion a number of actions to address ship strikes, in consultation with other relevant bodies. Actions might include assessments and monitoring, awareness raising in the sector, increase watch keeping in areas of heavy migration, dentification and promotion of suitable technical solutions.

　

22.15 Following discussion, the Committee agreed that IMO is the competent body to address ship strikes with cetaceans, and invited delegations to submit proposals to relevant Committees and Sub-Committees for consideration.

　

22.16 The Committee noted that IWC intended to put in place co-operative arrangements with IMO in accordance with the established procedures.

　

　

22.17 The observer from ICCL invited the Committee to note the availability of a new publication entitled 'From Ship to Shore - Sustainable Stewardship in Cruise Destinations' which had been developed by Conservation International with support from the ICCL. The booklet examines the shared responsibilities among governments, cruise lines, civil society groups and shore operators to ensure a sustainable future for cruise tourism while maintaining the natural and unique cultural integrity of international destinations.

　

　

22.18 The Committee expressed appreciation to Mr. A. Chrysostomou (Chairman of the Committee), to Mr. A. Chatterjee (Vice-Chairman of the Committee), to Mr. B. Elliot (Chairman of the Review Group on Ballast Water), to Mr. J. Koefoed (Chairman of the Working Group on Ship Recycling), to Mr. B. Okamura (Chairman of the Working Group on Air Pollution), to Mr. Z. Alam (Chairman of the Drafting Group on MARPOL Amendments), and to Mr. D. Macrae (Chairman of the Drafting Group on IBC amendments) for their outstanding contribution to the success of MEPC 55.

　

22.19 The Committee also expressed appreciation to all delegates, who had recently relinquished their duties, retired or had been transferred to other duties or were about to be, for their invaluable contribution to its work and wished them a long and happy retirement or, as the case might be, every success in their new duties, including:

　

22.20 The Committee, noting that this was the last session of the Committee for Mr. J.-C. Sainlos (Secretary of the Committee and Director of the Organization's Marine Environment Division) to attend, expressed appreciation to him for his dedicated and outstanding service to the work of the Committee for many years and sincerely wished him a long, healthy and enjoyable retirement.