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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(82)633 final
Brussels,11October1982
COMMISSION COMMUNICATION TOTHECOUNCIL
concerning theoutcomeofthenegotiations ontheConvention
fortheprotection anddevelopment ofthemarineenvironment
ofthewiderCaribbean areaandtheProtocolannexedthereto
oncooperation incombatingoilspillsinthewiderCaribbean
{
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C0MC82)633final

Commission CommumcationtotheCouncil
concerning theoutcomeofthenegotiations
ontheConvention fortheprotection and
development ofthemarineenvironment of
thewiderCaribbean areaandtheProtocol
annexedtheretooncooperation incombating
oilspillsinthewiderCaribbean.
Inaccordance withtheCouncilDecisionof15July1982,theCommission
tookpartinthenegotiations ontheConventionfortheprotection and
development ofthemarineenvironment ofthewiderCaribbeanarea.
ThisConventionrepresents thelegalframeworkforensuringtheprotection
ofthemarineandcoastalenvironment/andalsotherationalmanagement
oftheenvironment ofthatarea.
ThefinalversionofthedraftConvention wasestablished atameetingof
legalexpertsinNewYorkinJuly.ThreeMemberStates,namelyFrance,
theNetherlands andtheUnitedKingdom,wererepresented asriparian
Statesinthatarea.
Inaccordance withtheCouncilDecisionof15July1982,theCommission
conductedthesenegotiations incloseconsultation withtheMemberStates'
representatives .Italsoensuredthattheprovisions oftheConvention
wereinconformity withthecommonrulesgoverningthematterscovered
bytheConvention,namely:
-Directive 76/464/EECofAMay1976onpollution causedbycertain
dangeroussubstancesdischargedintotheaquaticenvironment ofthe
Community;
-Directive 78/659/EECof18July1978onthequalityoffreshwater
needingprotectionorimprovementinordertosupportfishlife;
-Directive 78/176/EECof20Februaryonwastefromthetitanium
dioxideindustry;
-Directive 79/923/EECof30October1979onthequalityrequiredof
shellfishwaters;
-Directive79/409/EECof2April1979ontheconservation ofwildbirds;
-Decision81/971/EECof3December1981establishing aCommunity
information systemforthecontrolandreductionofpollutioncaused
byhydrocarbons discharged atsea.

2.
Furthermore,inlinewithitsnegotiating directives,theCommission
obtainedanadjustmenttotheConvention sothattheCommunitycould
participate asaContracting Party;itwasagreedduringthe
negotiations thattheCommunitywouldindicateinitsinstrumentof
ratification theextentofitspowersinthematterscoveredbythe
Convention*.
A.TheCommission alsoensuredthatthecommonrulescoveredbythe
Convention wereconsistent withtheCommunity'scommitments under
international legalinstruments,andinparticular theBarcelona
Convention approvedbytheCouncilDecisionof16March1978,andthe <
protocolsannexedtheretoconcerning thepollution causedbydumping
fromshipsandaircraftandcooperation incombatingpollutionbyoil,
approvedon16March1978and19May1981respectively ,andtheParis
Convention onpollution fromland-based sourcesintheNorth-East
Atlantic,concludedbytheCommunity on3March1975.
5.AttheirJulymeetingthelegalexpertsalsosucceededinfinalizing a
draftProtocoltobeannexedtotheConvention concerning cooperation
incombatingoilspillsinthewiderCaribbeanarea.Theaimofthis
ProtocolisthesameasthatoftheSecondProtocoltotheBarcelona
Convention,concludedbytheCouncilDecisionof19May1981.
Thesetofmeasuresrepresented bytheConvention andtheProtocol
annexedtoitwillestablishintheCaribbeanareaasystemforthe
protection ofthemarineenvironment similartothatestablished for
theMediterranean bytheBarcelonaConvention andtheProtocols
annexedtoit.
6.ThelegalexpertsconcludedattheirmeetingthatthedraftConvention
andtheProtocolannexedtoitcouldbepresentedforsigningbythe
riparianStates-ofthewiderCaribbeanareaduringaplenipotentiary
conference tobeheldfrom8to11November1982.Theyrecommended
./.
Thisprovision wasintroducedinthenegotiations onthisConvention
inthelightoftheconditions governingitsparticipation accepted
bytheCommunityattheUnitedNationsConference ontheLawofthe
Sea.
I

that,inviewofitsinstitutional linkswithcertainStatesinthe
area,andtheinterestithadalreadyshowninprotecting themarine
environment ofthewiderCaribbeanarea,theCommunityshouldbe
invitedtotakepartinthisconference.Theconference wouldbe
precededbyafinalmeetingofthelegalexpertstomakeanylast-
minuteadjustments tothefinalversionofthetwodraftstobe
presentedtotheconference . ■
Inconclusion,toenabletheCommunitytosigntheConvention andthe
ProtocolatthesametimeastheotherContracting Partiesatthe
plenipotentiary conference from8to11November,theCommission
recommendsthattheCouncil,bearinginmindtheabovementioned
timetable,should:
-decidetosigntheConventionfortheprotection anddevelopment
ofthemarineenvironment ofthewiderCaribbean areaandthe
Protocolannexedtheretooncooperation incombating oilspills
inthewiderCaribbeanarea;
-authorizethePresidentoftheCounciltodesignatethepersonsem­
poweredtosigntheConvention andtheProtocolonbehalfofthe
Community,subjecttotheiradoptionbytheabovementioned
plenipotentiary conference.

UnitedNations
Environment
Programme
MeetingofLegalExpertson
draftregionalagreementsfor
theWiderCaribbeanRegion
UnitedNationsHeadquarters ,NewYork
7-11December1981
DRAFTREGIONALAGREEMENT CONCERNING CO-OPERATION INCOMBATINGOIL
SPILLSINTHEWIOERCARIBBEAN
PreparedbytheInter-Governmental MaritimeConsultative Organization
SE.8I-O373O

Introduction
1.Beginning in1979 aseries ofactivites wascarried outunder the
sponsorship ofIMCO ,OASandUNEP ,directed towards the
formulation ofaCaribbean Regional OilSpill Contingency Plan .
This activity wasfunded bytheOAS ,UNEP andtheUSAID with
technical input from IMCO andOAS .InNovember 1980 ,
representatives of21States andTerritories oftheCaribbean met
inBarbados todiscuss theelements ofaregional contingency
plan .Themeeting ,inter alia ,"agreed that thedevelopment and
conclusion ofanintergovernmental agreement forthe
implementation oftheRegional OilSpill Contingency Plan andthe *
establishment °£/aregional coordinating meschenism would requira
urgent action ".– Bearing inmind activities tobeundertaken
within theaction plan fortheWider Caribbean region ,the
meeting adopted aresolution requesting UNEP totake the
necessary steps toenable further work tobecarried outwithout
delay towards theconclusion ofsuch anagreement .
2.TheSecond Meeting ofGovernment-nominated Experts toReview the
draft action plan fortheWider Caribbean Region (Managua ,23-27
February 1981 )recognized theachievements oftheabove mentioned
activities anddesignated the "implementation ofaregional oil
spill contingency plan "asapriority project fordevelopment
under theaction plan.– When considering thelegal aspects of
thedraft Caribbean programme ,thesecond meeting ofexperts
recommended that ageneral preliminary draft ofaregional
convention should beprepared and ,recognizing ,inter alia ,the
urgency attached toregional cooperation incombating oil
pollution ,recommended that work should beinitiated and
continued onthepreparation ofspecific intergovernmental
agreements .–
3.TheIntergovernmental Meeting ontheAction Plan forthe
Caribbean Environment Programme (Montego Bay ,6-8April 1981 )
"endorsed therecommendations oftheManagua aeeting onthesteps
tobetaken inconnection with thedevelopment ofregional
agreements ".– Inaccordance with this recomaendation ,theUNEP
secretariat hasprepared apreliminary draft convention forthe
protection anddevelopment ofthemarine andcoastal environment
oftheWider Caribbean region which isbefore thepresent meeting
oflegal experts asdocument UNEP/WG.64 /3.
–^Seereport ofthemeeting ,CEPI/14,page13,paragraph 9.4.
2/–Seereport ofthemeeting ,UNEP/CEPAL /WG.48 /7.,page 3paragraph 14.2 .
–^Seereport ofthemeeting ,UNEP/CEPAL/WG.48/7,page10,paragraph 30.
ySeereport ofthemeeting ,UNEP/CEPAl/IG.27/3,page4,paragraph 20.

Thepreliminarydraftconventionhasbeenformulatedwithaview
toaframeworkconventionsupplemented bymoredetailedprotocols
inwhichtheobligationtocontrolpollutionortomanage
environmental resourcesoutlinedintheconventionareelaborated
upon.Thisistheapproachtakenintheadoptionofthree
regionalconventions developedundertheregionalseasprogramme;
i.e.theConventionfortheProtectionoftheMediterranean Sea
againstPollution(1976);theKuwaitRegionalConventionfor
Co-operation ontheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironment from
Pollution(1978);andthsConventionforCo-operation inthe
ProtectionandDevelopmentoftheMarineandCoastalEnvironment
oftheWestandCentralAfricanRegion(1981).Ineachofthese
conventionstheformatofan"umbrella"conventionelaboratedby
specificprotocolshasbeenadopted.Inparticular,aprotocol
concerningco-operation incombatingpollutionincasesof
emergencyhasbeenadoptedsimultaneously witheachofthose
regionalconventions.
BearinginmindIMCO'sexpertiseonthesubjectmatterandits
involvement intheabovementionedactivities,theIMCO
secretariat has,atUNEP'srequest,preparedtheattacheddraft
regionalagreementconcerningcooperation incombatingoilspills
intheWiderCaribbeanregionforconsideration bythepresent
meeting.Thedraftagreementisbasedtoalargeextentonthe
frameworkforregionalcooperationinoilspillcontingency
planningadoptedattheaforementioned Barbadosmeeting.
Inviewoftheurgencyandimportanceattachedtoregional
cooperation inoilspillcontingencyplanningandthepreparatory
workalreadycarriedoutintheregion,thedraftagreementhas
beenpreparedintheformofa"freestanding"agreementwhich
couldbeadoptedindependently tothenegotiations and
conclusionsofanoverallregionalconventionfortheprotection
anddevelopment ofthemarineandcoastalenvironment .Ifthis
approachisfollowed,alegallinkmaypossiblybeestablishedat
somefuturedatebetweentheoilspillagreementandanygeneral
frameworkconventionwhichmaybeadopted.
However,basedontheexperienceoftheregionallegalagreements
mentionedinparagraph4above,iti3theviewoftheUNEP
secretariatthatadirectrelationship betweentheconvention and
themorespecificlegalagreementsisimportantandissupportive
ofthecomprehensive objectivesoftheCaribbeanActionPlan.It
servestolinkandharmonizeprogrammatic andlegislative
activities concernedwithenvironmental assessment and
management,anditfacilitatesthedevelopmentofefficientand
effectiveregionalorganizational andfinancialsupporting
measures.

Onreviewing theattached draft agreement ,theexperts are
invited toconsider whether theagreement should besupplementary
toorintegrated with thegeneral regional convention and
negotiated andadopted concurrently with such aconvention or
whether anagreement onregional cooperation incombating oil
spills should beconcluded independently tothenegotiation and
adoption ofageneral regional convention .
Theexperts arealso invited toprepare arevised draft text for
consideration bytheir governments *

/
DRAFTREGIONALAGREEMENT CONCERNING COOPERATION INCOMBATINGOIL
SPILLSINTHEWIDERCARIBBEAN
Preamble
THEPARTIESTOTHISAGREEMENT,
CONCIOUSoftheseriousthreattothemarineenvironment ofthe
WiderCaribbeanRegionposedbyoilexploration ,production,
sea-transport andrelatedactivities,
AWAREthattheislandsoftheregionareparticularly vulnerable
tothedamageresultingfromsignificantoilpollutionduetothe
fragilityoftheirecosystemsandtheeconomicrelianceofcertain
islandsoftheregiononthecontinuousutilizationoftheircoastal
areas,
RECOGNIZINGthatintheeventofanoilspillorthreatthereof,
promptandeffectiveactionshouldbetakeninitiallyatthenational
leveltoorganizeandcoordinateprevention,mitigationandcleanup
activities,
RECOGNIZING FURTHERtheimportanceofadvanceplanningandmutual
cooperation andassistanceinrespondingeffectivelytooilspillsor
thethreatthereof,
HAVEAGREEDasfollows:
ArticleI
ForthepurposeofthirfAgreement:
(1)"NationalAuthority"meansthedesignatedauthoritywithinthe
GovernmentofaContractingParty(hereinafterreferredtoas
Party)withoverallresponsibility fordealingwithanoilspill
orthreatthereofwithinitsownGovernmentandwithliaising
.withotherParties.
(2)"WiderCaribbeanRegion"meanstheregioncomprisingtheinsular
andCoastalStatesandTerritories oftheCaribbean .Seaandthe
GulfofMexico,includingtheBahamas,Guyana,Suriname,andthe
FrenchDepartmentofGuiana,aswellasthewatersoftheAtlantic
OceanadjacenttotheseStatesandTerritories.

"Related Interests "means theinterests ofaParty directly or
indirectly affected orthreatened byamarine emergency such as:
(a)maritime ,coastal ,port orestuarine activities including ,
inter alia ,fisheries activities constituting anessential
means oflivehood ofthepersons concerned ;
(b)historic andtouristic attractions oftheWider Caribbean
Region ;
(c)thehealth ofthecoastal population andthewell-being of
theWider Caribbean Region including ,inter alia ,
conservation ofliving marine resources andwildlife .
Article II
Application
This Agreement applies tooilspill incidents occur inginthe
Wider Caribbean Region which have resulted inorwhich threaten
toresult inasubstantial danger ofpollution tothecoastlines
and related interests ofone ormore ofthe Parties tothis
Agreement .
This Agreement mayapply ,where appropriate andtotheextent
practicable ,toincidents involving therelease ofharmful
substances other than oil which have resulted inorwhich
threaten toresult inasubstantial danger ofpollution tothe
coastlines and related interests ofone ormore ofthe Parties .
Article III
General
TheParties tothis Agreement undertake tocooperate intaking
allnecessary measures fortheprotection ofthemarine
environment oftheWider Caribbean Region ,particularly the
coastal areas oftheislands oftheregion ,from thethreat and
effects ofoilspills presenting asubstantial risk ofpollution .

(2)TheParties undertake ,within their capabilities ,toestablish
andmaintain themeans ofpreventing andcombating oilspills or
thethreat thereof ,including ,inter alia ,thepreparation of
contingency plans ,identification and/ordevelopment ofresources
capable ofresponding toanoilspill incident andthe
designation ofNational Authorities .
Article IV
Exchange ofInformation Concerning National Authorities ,
.Laws and other related matters
Each Party shall periodically provide theother Party with upto
date information ontheir National Authorities including the
identification oftheofficials charged with carrying outthe
activities covered bythis Agreement anditsAnnex ,andinformation
ontheir laws ,regulations ,institutions andoperational procedures
relating topreventing andcombating oilspills .
Article V
Communication ofInformation concerning ,andreporting of(
oilspill incidents
(1)Each Party undertakes toestablish appropriate obligations and
procedures necessary toensure that information regarding oil
spills orthreats thereof arereported asrapidly aspossible ,
including inter alia :
(a)requirements that appropriate officials oftheir
governments ,masters ofvessels flying their flag ,pilots of
aircraft registered intheir territory andpersons incharge
ofoffshore facilities operating under their jurisdiction
report tothem theexistence ofanysituation involving an
oilspill orthreat thereof ;
(b)request that masters offoreign vessels andpilots of
foreign aircraft operating inthevicinity of'their coasts
report tothem theexistence ofanysituation involving an
oil spill orthreat thereof .

(2)Intheevent ofreceiving areport regarding anoilspill or
threat thereof ,each Party shall promptly inform allother
Parties whose interests arelikely tobeaffected bytheoil
spill orthreat thereof aswell astheflag state ofanyvessel
involved intheoilspill orthreat thereof inaccordance with the
Annex tothia Agreement .
Article VI
i Mutual Assistance
(1)Each Party undertakes torender assistance ,within their
capabilities ,toanother Party orParties whorequest assistance
inresponding toanoilspill orthreat thereof onthebasis of •
joint response action agreed between oramong therequesting and
assisting Party orParties respectively .
(2)Each Party undertakes tofacilitate themovement ofpersonnel ,
equipment andmaterial involved inaresponse toanoilspill or
threat thereof ,into ,outofandthrough their territories .
Article VIX
/
Regional OilSpill Contingency Plan
TheParties undertake ,within their capabilities ,tofellow thestep "
outlined intheRegional OilSpill Contingency Plan contained .\nthe
Annex tothi8 Agreement inresponding toanoilspill orthree ?*,end In
particular :
(a)tomake apreliminary assessment ofthenature ofthe
situation including thetype andextent ofexisting or
likely pollution effects ;
(b)topromptly communicate information concerning therituet'.grt
toother Parties pursuant toArticle V;
(c)toconsult asappropriate with other affected orconcrrnst 1
Parties indetermining thenecessary response *"Qan J'
spill orthreat *thereof ;

(d)topromptlydeterm;.riStheirabilitytotakeeffective
measurestcrespondtotheoilspillorthreatthereofand
ofassistancethatmightberequiredandtocommunicate any
requestforsuchassistancetothePartyorParties
concernedinaccordancewithArticleVI;
(e)tocarryoutthenecessarymeasurestoprevent,eliminateor
mitigatetheeffectsofthe-oilspillorthreatthereof,
including,interalia,surveillance andmonitoringofthe
situation.
ArticleVIII
Sub-Regional Arrangements
Partiesshallendeavourtodevelopandmaintainsuchbilateralor
"unilateralarrangements asmaybedeemedappropriate bytheParties
^rncerned,torespondtoanoilapillorthreatthereofwithina
specifiedgeographicregionofparticularinteresttotheParties
involvedtakingintoaccounttherelevantprovisionsofthis
Agreement.
ArticleIX
Institutions!Arrangements
Pffcognizingtheimportantrolewhichregionalinstitutions canplayin
theimplementation ofthisAgreement,theContractingPartiesshallat
theirfirstordinarymeetingconsiderthedesignationorestablishment
'-•faRegionalOilSpillCombatingUnit,orotherorganizations !unit,
"hichwouldcarryoutthefollowingfunctions:
(s)assistingContractingPartiesinthefollowingareas:
(i)thepreparation ,periodicreview,andupdatingof
NationalContingencyPlans,withaview,inter
alia,topromotingthecompatibility ofthePlansof
theContractingParties,and
(ii)theidentification oftrainingcoursesend
programmes {

(b)assisting theContracting Parties ,onaregional basis ,
inthe following areas :
(i)thepreparation ofModel National Contingency
Plans andemergency response programmes ,
(ii)thecoordination ofregional emergency response
activities ,and
(iii)theprovision of-aforum fordiscussions and
planning concerning emergency response andother
emergency-related topics ;
(c)establishing andmaintaining liaison with :
(i)appropriate regional andInternational
organizations ,and
(ii)appropriate private organizations ,including ,
inter alia ,major oilproducers ,refiners ,.and
oiltransporters conducting activities inthe
Caribbean region ;
(d)maintaining acurrent inventory ofavailable emergency
response equipment ,materials andexpertise ;
(e)disseminating information related totheprevention ,
control andremoval ofoilspills ;
(f)identifying ormaintaining anemergency response
communications system ;
(g)encouraging research bytheContracting Parties ,as
well asappropriate international andprivate
organizations ,ontheenvironmental effects ofoil
spills ,theenvironmental effects ofoilspill control
materials andother oil-spill -related matters ;
(h)preparing reports andcarrying outother secretariat
duties associated with this Agreement assigned toit
bytheContracting Parties ;and
(i)performing other functions assigned toitbythe
Contracting Parties .

vj-'e.i af
(*.) TheParties shall meei .toyether when necessary ?
(a)toreview theoperation ofthaRegional Oil *ipiil
Contingency Plan and toconsider measures toimprove its
effectiveness intholight ofexperience gained inits
implementation ;
(b)toconsider theextent towhich theprovisions ofthis
Agreement mayapply toincidents involving harmful
substances other than oil ;and
(c)toconsider anymeasures toimprove co-operation under
this Agreement including amendments tothis Agreement .
(2)TheContracting Parties shell hold anordinary meeting once every
yesr andshall hold anextraordinary meeting upon therequest of
(X)Contracting Parties ,provided that such affoquast issupported
byatleast (X)other Contracting Parties .
(3)TheParties shall adopt Iherules ofprocedure fortheir
meetings .
Article XI
Amendment tothis Agreement andAnnex
»1)Amendment tothis Agreement andtheAnnex maybeproposed byaParty .
(2)Thetext ofanyamendment soproposed shall becommunicated by
theDepositary toallParties forconsideration byameeting of
Parties tothis Agreement inaccordance with paragraph (2)of
article Xorforacceptance byParties inaccordance with
paragraph (4)ofthepresent article .
(3)Anamendment adopted bytwo-third majority oftheParties present
atthemeeting shall becommunicated bytheDepositary toall
Parties foracceptance .Theamendment shall bedeemed tohave
been accepted onthe (X).dayfallowing thedate ithasbeen
communicated unless within that period anobjection tothe
amendment hasbeen communicated totheDepository byat.least (X)
ofthjParties .Onthe (X)dayfollowing the datfc ofacceptance
enamendment shall enter into force forallParties exr ,:ptthose
which prior todate ofitsentry into force ,h;:ye depot ;teda
declaration ofnonacceptance with Depositary .

(4)Anamendment proposed byaParty which isnotconsidered bya
meeting ofParties inaccordance with paragraph (3)above and is
communicated bytheDepositary inaccordance with paragraph (2)
above shall bedeemed tohave been accepted after receipt of
notification ofacceptance bytwo-thirds oftheParties bythe
Depositary .Such amendment shall enter force on(X)dayfollowing
date ofacceptance .Theamendment shall enter into force forall
Parties which have notified itsacceptance .
Article XII
Signature ,Ratification ,Acceptance ,Approvai ,Accession
(1)This Agreement shall beopen forsignature byanyState or
competent territory intheWider Caribbean Region ,TheAgreement
shall remain open forsignature from (date )to(date )andshall
besubject toratification ,acceptance ,orapproval bytheot^t ^
orcompetent territories which have signed it.IS-shall bejpeu
foraccession byanyState orcompetent territory ofths»Wider
Caribbean Region which didnotsign theAgreement .
(2)Ratification ,acceptance ,approval oraccession shall beeffected
bythedeposit ofaninstrument tothat effect with the
Depositary .Anysuch instrument deposited after theentry in' ">
force ofanamendment tothis Agreement shall •bedeemed toapply
totheAgreement asamended bytheamendment .
■ t
Article XIII
Entry into force
(1)This Agreement shall enter into force onthe (X)dayfollowing
thedate which (X)States orcompetent territories have deposited
instruments ofratification ,acceptance ,approval oraccession
pursuant toArticle XII .
(2)ForanyState which ratifies ,accepts ,approves oraccedes tothe
Agreement after thedate onwhich itenters into force ,this
Agreement shall enter into force onthe (X)dayfollowing the
date upon which the *aquisite document isdeposited .

Article XIV
Withdrawal
atanytims after three years from thedate ofentry inti force of
this^remer.t anyParty maywithdraw from theAgraem-rnt bygiving written
notification tothat effect .Withdrawal shall take effect 90days
after thedata onwhich notification ofwithdrawal isreceived bythe
Oepositary .
! Article XV
Responsibilities oftheDepositary
(1)TheDepositary shall inform theParties ,anyother State 'or
competent territory referred toinArticle XIIt
(i)ofthesignature cfthis Agreement andofthedeposit of
instruments ofratification ,acceptance ,approval or
accession ;
(ii)ofthedate onwhich thsAgreement will enter into force ;
(i-i)ofnotification cfwithdrawal made inaccordance with
Article XIV ;
(iv)oftheamendments adopted with respect totheAgreement and
itsrelevant annexes and thedate ofthair entry into .
force ;
(") oftherequest ofParties toconvene ameeting ofParties
Inaccordance with Article X.
(2)Theoriginal ofthis Agreement andannates thereto shall be
deposited with theDepositary ,the (Government c.competent
international organi2atian )which shall send certified copies
thereof totheParties sid totheSecretary-General oftheUnited
Notions forregistration andpublication inszccvdancs with
Article 102 ofthe United Nations Charter .
INWITNESS WHEREOF theundersigned ,being duly authorised by
their respective Government ,have signed this Agreement .
Done at(Place )on(date )inasingle copy intha
French endSpanish language , fair texts b«9ir»£ equally
authoritative .

ANNEX
Thisannexwouldcontainaregionaloilspillcontingencypinnhmeti
onthe"RevisedDraftRegionalOilSpillContingencyFlaninthr
IslandStatesandTerritoriesoftheWiderCaribbeanRegion"
agreeduponattheMeetingofCaribbeanIslandsOn0*>Spi-ll
ContingencyPlanningheldinBarbados,24-28fSovembet ?.9B9.
TheRegionalOilSpillContingencyPlancould,eawe'I,include
guidelinesforthereportofoilspillincidentspursuanttoArUcAatV
ofthedraftAgreement.Forexample,referencetothaCaribbean 0.1,1
SpillAltertingMechanist*(CARIBPQLRELPS )couldbeincluded.

iiecondMeetingofExpertsoniaft
regionalagreements fortheWider
Caribbean Kegion
UniLedNationsHeadquarters ,NewYork
6-17.July1982
DRAFTREPORTONTHESECONDMEETINGOPEXPERTSONDRAFTREGIONAL
AGREEMENTS FORTHEWIDERCARIBBEAN REGION
I
Addendum
I,RAF?CONVENTION FORTHKPROTECTION ANDDEVELOPMENT OFTHEMARINE
ENVIRONMENT OFTHEWIDERCARIBBEAN REGION
(Aspreparedbythemeetingofexperts)
M\I
»
TheContracting Parties,
:'ullyawareoftheeconomicundsocialvalueofthemarineenvironment and
.jjareasoftheWiderCaribbeanRegion}
^hiiciousoftheirresponsibility toprotectthemarineenvironment ofthe
>■i:i.l"uribbeanRegionforthebenefitandenjoymentofpresentandfuture
m;U,-:,jl.LOnSJ
...■cognizingthespecialhydrographic andeoologicalcharacteristics ofthe
r.|.r.anditsvulnerability topollution}"
■agnizingfurtherthethreattothemarineandcoastalenvironment ,its
,viiequilibrium ,resourcesandlegitimateusesposedbypollutionandbythe
•ofsufficientintegration ofanenvironmental dimensionintothe
,.processj
-s
1 ..J-1942f(E) /...

-2-
ia.-ulizingfullytheneedforco-operation amongstthemselves andwith
t.-i.j«;Lentinternational organizations inordertoensureaco-ordinated and
(j.,...)tehensivedevelopment withoutenvironmental damage)
^agnizingthedesirability forthewideracceptanceandnational
.limitationofinternational agreementsalreadyinexistenceconcerningmarine
>ution»
i'"j«however,thattheseagreementsdonotcover,inspiteoftheprogress
iallaspectsofenvironmental deterioration anddonotentirelymeetthe
i.;:lrequirements oftheWiderCaribbeanRegion) •
■ikyingasabasicpurposetheprotectionoftheecosystemsofthemarine
•".lunentandcoastalareasoftheWiderCaribbeanRegion;
iavinyagreedasfollows:
Article1
f
Geographical Coverage
inisConventionshallapplytotheWiderCaribbeanRegion,hereinafter
i.e<itoas"theConventionarea"asdefinedinparagraph (a)ofarticle2.
Kxo«ptasmaybeotherwiseprovidedinanyprotocoltothisConvention ,the
c-ntionareashallnotincludeinternalwatersoftheContractingParties.
Article2
Definitions •
l'orthepurposeofthisConvention !
(a)"TheConventionarea"meant,themarineenvironment andrelatedcoastal
areasoftheCaribbeanSeaandtheGulfofMexicowithinalinefollowingthe
30"NparallelotlatitudefromtheAtlanticcoastoftheUnitedStates
eastwardtolongitude75*Wjthenceapproximately east-south-eastwardto
position20*N,55*W;andthenceapproximately south-south-eastwardto
position7*15'N,48*36'Wjandthencesouth-westward totheinternational
boundaryatthecoastbetweenBrazilandtheFrenchDepartmentofGuiana,with
thelatterlineformingthesouth-eastern seawardlimitoftheregion.Bie
Conventionareaisillustrated bythemapincludedintheannextothis
Convention .
(b)"Pollution"meanstheintroduction byman,directlyorindirectly,of
substancesorenergyintothemarineenvironmentresultinginsuchdeleterious
<;ttectsasharmtolivingresources,hazardstohuir.anhealth,hindranceto
marineactivities,includingfishing,impairmentofqualityforuseofsea
waterandreductionofamenities .
/...
rammmam

-3-
(c)Organization "means thebody designated asresponsible foecarrying out
thefunctions pursuant toparagraph 1ofarticle 15ofthis Convention .
Articl •3
General Provisions
1.The Contracting Parties ::hall endeavour toconclude bilateral ormultilateral
agreements ,including regional orsubregional agreements ,for theprotection ofthe
;narine *nrim.tattrl environment oftheConvention area .Such agreements shall be •
consistent with this Convention and inaccordance with international law .Copies
ofsuch agreements shall becommunicated totheOrganization and ,through the
Organization ,toallContracting Parties .
2.Nothing inthis Convention oritsprotocols shall bedeemed toaffect
obligations assumed bytheContracting Parties under agreements previously
concluded .
 
3.Nothing inthisConvention shall prejudice thecodification anddevelpproent of)
thelawoftheseabytheUnited Nations Conference ontheI^woftheSeaconvened ^{.i('
pursuant toresolution 2750 C(XXV )oftheGeneral Assembly oftheUnited Nations ,(
nor thepresent orfuture cl.ims andlegal views ofanyContracting Party '
concerning thenature andextent ofitsmaritime jurisdiction .
Article 4
General Obligations
1.TheContracting Parties shall ,individually orjointly ,take allappropriate
measures inaccordance with ♦•heConvention and those protocols inforce towhich
they areparty toprevent ,reduce and combat pollution intheConvention area and
toensure sound environmental management ,using for this purpose thebest
practicable means attheir disposal ,and inaccordance with their capabilities .
«
2.TheContracting Parties shall co-operate inthe formulation andadoption of
protocols orother agreements for theimplementation ofthis Convention .
3.HieContracting Parties shall take appropriate measures for theeffective
discharge oftheobligations pret^i ibed inthis Convention and shall endeavour to
harmonize their national policies inthis regard .
4.TheContracting Parties shall co-operate with thecompetent international ,
regional andsubregional organizations fortheeffective implementation ofthis
Convention and itsprotocols .They shall assist each other infulfilling their
obligations under thepresent Convention and itsprotocols .
5.TheContracting Parties shall usetheir best endeavours toensure that the
implementation ofthis Convention shall notresult inanincrease inthepollution
ofthe marine environment outside the Convention area .

-4-
Article5
Pollution -fromShips
ttieContractingPartiesshalltakeallappropriate measuresinconformitywith
international lawtoprevent,reduceandcombatpollutionintheConventionarea
causedbydischarges fromships,andtoensuretheeffectiveapplication inthe
Conventionareaoftheinternationally recognizedrulesandstandardsrelatingto
thecontrolofpollutionfromships.
Article6
PollutioncausedbyDumpingfromShipsandAircraft
TheContractingPartiesshalltakeallappropriate measuresinconformitywith
international lawtoprevent,reduceandcombatpollutionintheConventionarea
causedbydumpingfromships,aircraft,orman-madestructuresatsea,including
theeffectiveapplication oftherelevantinternationally recognizedrulesand
proceduresrelatingtothecontrolofdumpingo£wastesandothermatter.
Article7
Pollution fromLand-based Sources
TheContracting Partiesshalltakeallappropriate measurestoprevent,reduce
andcombatpollutionintheConventionareacausedbycoastaldisposalorby
dischargesemanatingfromrivers,estuaries,coastalestablishments ,outfall
structures,oranyothersourcesontheirterritories .
Article8
Pollution fromSea-bedActivities
TheContractingPartiesshalltakeallappropriate measurestoprevent,reduce
andcombatpollutionintheConventionarearesultingdirectlyorindirectly from
exploration andexploitation ofthesea-bedanditssubsoil.
Article9
Pollution fromorthroughtheAtmosphere
TheContractingPartiesshalltakeallappropriate measurestoprevent,reduce
andcombatpollujtionintheConventionarearesultingfromdischargesintothe
atmosphere fromactivities undertheirjurisdiction .
/...

-5-
Article10 »
SpeciallyProtectedArea
TheContractingPartiesshall,inconformitywithinternational law,
individually orjointly,takeallappropriate measurestoprotectandpreserverare
orfragileecosystemsaswellasthehabitatofdepleted,threatenedorendangered
speciesandothermarinelifeintheConventionarea,lbthisendtheContracting
Partiesshallendeavourtoestablishprotectedareas,suchasparksandreserves,
andtoprohibitorregulateanyactivitylikelytohaveadverseeffectsonthe
species,ecosystems,orbiologicalprocessesthatsuchareasaredesignedto
protect.
Article11
Co-operation inCombatingPollutioninCasesofEmergency
1.TheContractingPartiesshallco-oj..rateintakingallnecessarymeasuresto.
dealwithpollutionemergencies intheConventionarea,whateverthecauseofsuch
emergencies ,andtocontrol,.uoeoreliminatepollutionorthethreatof
pollutionresultingtherefrom,lbthisend,theContractingPartiesshall,
in-iividually andjointly,developandpromotecontingencyplansforrespondingto
pollutionincidentsintheConventionarea.
2.WhenaContracting PartybecomesawareofcasesinwhichtheConventionarea
isinimminentdangerofbeingpollutedorhasbeenpolluted,itshallimmediately
notifyotherStatesitJ^cinslikelytobeaffectedbysuchpollution,aswellas
thecompetentinternational organizations .Furthermore ,itshallinform,assoon
a6feasible,suchotherStatesandcompetentinternational organizations ofany
measuresithasitselftakentominimizeorreduq?pollutionorthethreatthereof.
Article12
Environmental ImpactAssessment
1.Aspartoftheirenvironmental managementpoliciestheContractingParties
undertaketodeveloptechnicalandotherguidelinestoassisttheplanningoftheir
developmentprojectsinsuchawayastopreventorminimizetheirharmfulimpact
ontheConvention area.•
2.EachContracting Partyshallendeavourtoassessthepotentialenvironmental
effectsofmajorprojects,particularly inthecoastalareas,whichithas
reasonablegroundstoexpectmaycausesubstantialpollutionof,orsignificant and
harmfulchangesto,theConventionarea.
3.TheContractingPartiesshall,inconsultation withtheOrganization ,develop
l'rocedur*.-sforthedissemination ofinformation andconsultations concerningthe
assessmentoftheactivitiesreferredtoinparagraph 2ofthisarticle.
/...
*
r

Article13
Sciei.tific andTechnological Co-operation
1.TheContractingPartiesundertaketoen-operate/directly,andwhen
appropriatethroughthecompetentinternational andregionalorganizations ,in
scientificresearch,themonitoringofpollutionandtheexchangeofdataandother
scientificinformation relatedtothepurposesoftheConvention .
2.Tothisend,theContractingPartiesundertaketodevelopandco-ordinate
nationalresearchandmonitoring programmesconcerningpollutionintheConvention
areaandtoensure,inco-operation withthecompetentinternational andregional
organizations ,thenecessarylinksbetweennationalresearchcentresandinstitutes
withaviewtoproducingcompatibleresults.Withtheaimoffurtherprotecting
theConventionarea,theContractin-j Partiesshallendeavourtoparticipate in
international arrangements forpollutionresearchandmonitoringinareasbeyond
theConvention area.
3.TheContracting Partiesundertaketoco-operate,directly,andwhen
appropriate throughthecompetentinternational ,andregionalorganizations ,inthe
provisionoftechnicalandotherassistanceinfieldsrelatingtopollutionand
soundenvironmental managementoftheConventionarea,takingintoaccountthe
specialneedsofthesmallerislanddevelopingcountriesandterritories .
Article14
LiabilityandCompensation
TheContractingPartiesshallco-operatewithaviewtoadoptingappropriate
rulesandproceduresinconformitywithinternational lawinthefieldofliability
andcompensation fordamageresultingfrompollutionintheConventionarea.
Article15
Institutional Arrangements
1.TheContractingPartiesdesignatetheUnitedNationsEnvironment Programmeas
thesecretariatoftheConventiontocarryoutthefollowingfunctions *
(i)TtoprepareandoonvenethemeetingsofContractingPartiesand
conferences providedforinarticles16,17and18»
(ii)TotransmittotheContractingPartiesnotifications ,reportsandother
information reoeivedinaccordance witharticles 3,11,12and21>
(iii)Ttoperformthefunctionsassignedtoitbytheprotocolstothis
Convention j
/...

-7-
(iv)lbconsiderenquiriesby,andinformation from,theContractingParties
andtoconsultwiththemonquestionsrelatingtothisConvention andits
protocolsandannexesthereto)'
(v)lbco-ordinate theimplementation ofco-operativeactivitiesagreedupon
bythemeetingsofContractingPartiesandconferences providedin
articles16,17and18> '
(vi)"toensurethenecessaryco-ordination withotherinternational bodies
whichtheContractingPartiesconsidercompetent,andinparticular,to
enterintosuchadministrative arrangements asmayberequiredforthe
effectivedischargeofuiesecretariat functions.
2.EachContracting Partyshalldesignateanappropriateauthoritytoserveas
thechannelofcommunication betweentheContracting PartyandtheOrganization for
thepurposesofthisConvention anditsprotocols.
Article16
MeetingsoftheContractingParties
1.TheContractingPartiesshallholdordinarymeetingsonceeverytwoyearsand
extraordinary meetingsatanyothertin*:deemednecessary,upontherequestofthe
Organization orattherequestofanyContracting Party,providedthatsuch
requestsaresupportedbyatleast oftheContracting Parties.
2.ItshallbethefunctionofthemeetingsoftheContractingPartiestokeep
underreviewtheimplementation oftlisConvention anditsprotocolsand,in
particular ;
(i)lbassessperiodically thestateoftheenvironment intheConvention
area)
(ii)lbconsiderreportssubmittedbytheContractingPartiesunderarticle21),
(iii)Toadopt,reviewandamendasrequiredannexestothisConventionandto
itsprotocols,inaccordancewiththeprovi^onsofarticle19)
(iv)Tomakerecommendations regardingtheadoptionofanyadditional
protooolsoramendmentstothisConventionoritsprotocolsinaccordance
withtheprovisionsofarticl.es17and18)
(v)lbestablishworkinggroupsasrequiredtoconsideranymatters
concerningthisConventionanditsprotooolsandannexes)
(vi)lbconsiderandadoptdecisionsconcerningco-operativeactivitiestobe
undertakenwithintheframeworkofthisConvention anditsprotocols,
includingtheirfinancialandinstitutional implications )

-8-
(vn)Tbconsiderandundertakeanyadditionalactionthatmayberequiredfor
theachievementofthepurposesofthisConventionanditsprotocols)
[(viii)Extraordinary meetingshallhaveastheirsoleobjectivethestudyof
theissuesforwhichtheywereconvened.]
Article17
AdoptionofProtocols
1.TheContracting Parties,ataconferenceofplenipotentiaries ,mayadopt
protocolstothisConventionpursuanttoparagraph 2ofarticle4.
2.IfsorequestedbyoftheContractingParties,theOrganization shall
conveneaconferenceofplenipotentiaries forthepurposeofadoptingprotocolsto
tin:;Convention .
Article18
AmendmentoftheConvention ortheProtocols
i.AnyContracting PartytothisConvention mayproposeamendmentstothe
Convention.ftnendmentsshallbeadoptedbyaconferenceofplenipotentiaries which
tihdilbeconvenedbytheOrganization attherequestofoftheContracting
Parties.
2.AnyContracting PartytothisConvention mayproposeamendmentstoany
protocol.Suchamendmentsshallbeadoptedbyaconferenceofplenipotentiaries
wnichshallbeoonvenedbytheOrganization at.therequestofofthe
ContractingPartiestotheprotocolconcerned.
3.AmendmentstothisConventionshallbeadoptedbyamajorityvoteofthe
ContractingPartiestotheConvention whicharerepresentedattheconferenceof
plenipotentiaries andshallbesubmittedbytheDepositaryforacceptance byall
ContractingPartiestotheConvention .Amendmentstoanyprotocolshallbeadopted
byamajorityvoteoftheContracting Partiestosuchprotocolwhichare
representedattheconferenceofplenipotentiaries andshallbesubmittedbythe
Depositaryforacceptance byallContractingPartiestosuchprotocol.
4.AcceptanceofamendmentsshallbenotifiedtotheDepositaryinwriting.
Amendmentsadoptedinaccordancewithparagraph 3ofthisarticleshallenterinto
forcebetweenContractingPartieshavingacceptedsuchamendments onthethirtieth
dayfollowingthereceiptbytheDepositaryofnotification oftheiracceptance by
atleastofthe1ontractingPartiestothisConventionortotheprotocol
concerned,astljecasemaybe.Thereaftertheamendmentsshallenterintoforce
toranyotherContracting PartyonthethirtiethdayafterthatPartydepositsits
notitIcationofacceptanceoftheamendments .
/...(vii)
I(viii)

-9-
5.AftertheentryintoforceofanamendmenttothisConventionortoa'
protocol,anynewContracting PartytothisConventionorsuchprotocolshall
beooroeaContracting Partytotheinstrumentasamended.
Article19
AnnexesandtheirAmendment
1.AnnexestothisConventionortoanyprotocolshallformanintegralpartof
theConventionorsuchprotocol,asthecasemaybe.
2.Exceptasmaybeotherwiseprovidedinanyprotocolwithrespect .toits
annex(es),thefollowingprocedureshallapplytotheadoptionandentryintoforce
ofanyamendmentstoannexestothisConventionortoannexestoanyprotocoli
(i)anyContracting Partymayproposeamendmentstotheannexestothis
Conventionortoannexestoanyprotocolatthemeetingsreferredtoin
article16;
(ii)suchamendmentsshallbeadoptedbyamajorityvoteofthe
ContractingPartiestotheinstrumentinquestion)
(lii)theDepositaryshallwithoutdelaycommunicate theamendmentssoadoptedf>allContracting Parties)
(iv)anyContracting Partythatisunabletoapproveanamendmenttothe
annexestothisConventionortoannexestoanyprotocolshallsonotify
inwritingtheDepositarywithin90daysfromthedatewhentheamendment
wasadopted.AContracting Partymayatanytimesubstitute an
acceptanceforapreviousdeclaration ofobjection,andtheamendment
shallthereuponenterintoforceforthatParty)
(v)theDepositaryshallwithoutdelaynotifyallContractingPartiesofany
notification receivedpursuanttotheprecedingsubparagraph )
(vi)on.expiryoftheperiodreferredtoinsubparagraph (iv)above,the
amendmenttotheannexshallbecomeeffecti/eforallContracting Parties
tothisConventionortotheprotocolconcernedwhichhavenotsubmitted
anotification inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthatsubparagraph .
3.Theadoptionandentryintoforce©fanewannextothisConventionortoany
protocolshallbesubjecttothesameprocedureasfortheadoptionandentryinto
forceofanamen«lmenttoanannexinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofparagraph 2
otthisarticle,providedthat,ifanyamendmenttotheConventionortheprotocol
concernedisinvolved,thenewannexshallnotenterintoforceuntilsuchtimeas
theamendment t-otheConventionortheprotocolconcernedentersintoforce.
•1.»wniuK-ntstothecinnexonarbitrationshallbeconsi<3f?red tobeamendments to
,i;;Ctmentionandshallbejropos<-dandadoptedinaccordancewiththeprocedures
.•■ioutinarticle18above.
/...

-10-
Article20
RulesofProcedureandFinancial "Rules
1.TheContractingPartiesshalladoptrulesofprocedurefortheirmeetings.
2.TheContracting Partiesshalladoptfinancialrules,preparedinconsultation
withtheOrganization ,todetermine,inparticular,theirfinancialparticipation .
Article21
Specialexerciseofthirighttovote
Intheirfieldsofcompetence ,theregionaleconomicintegration groups
referredtoinarticle25shallexercisetheirrighttovotewithanumberofvotes
equaltothenumberoftheirmemberStateswhichareContracting Partiestothis
Convention andtooneormoreprotocols.Suchorganizations shallnotexercise
theirrighttovoteifthememberStatesconcernedexercisetheirs,andviceversa.
Article22
Heports
TheContractingPartiesshalltransmittotheOrganization information onthe
measuresadoptedbythemintheimplementation ofthisConvention andofprotocols
towhichtheyareParties,insuchformandatsuchintervalsasthemeetingsof
ContractingPartiesmaydetermine.
Article23
SettlementofDisputes
1.IncaseofadisputebetweenContractingPartiesastotheinterpretation or
applicationofthisConventionortheprotocols,theyshallseekasettlementof
thedisputethroughnegotiation oranyotherpeacefulmeansoftheirownchoice.
2.IftheContracting Partiesconcernedcannotsettletheirdisputethroughthe
meansmentionedintheprecedingparagraph ,thedisputeshalluponcommonagreement
besubmittedtoarbitration undertheconditions laiddownintheannextothis
Convention .
3.Nevertheless ,theContracting Partiesmayatanytimedeclarethatthey
recognizeascompulsoryipsofactoandwithoutspecialagreement,inrelationto
■iuyotherContracting Partyacceptingthe:;ar;obligation ,theapplicationofthe
arbitrationprocedureinconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheannex.Such
decorationshallr>eu^tifiedirwritingtotheDepositary,wh<~>shallcommunicate
J.LtotheotherContracting Parties.
/...

-11-
Article24
Relationship betweentheConvention anditsprotocols
1.[NoStatemaybecomeaContracting PartytothisConventionunlessitbeooraes
atthesametimeaContracting PartytoatleastoneprotocoltothisConvention.]
NoStatemaybecomeaContracting Partytoaprotocolunlessitis,orbecomesat
thesametime,aContracting PartytothisConvention.
2.AnyprotocoltothisConventionshallbebindingonlyontheContracting
Partiestotheprotocolinquestion.
t.Decisionsconcerning anyprotocolpursuanttoarticles16,18and19ofthis
conventionshallbetakenonlyL>ythePartiestotheprotocolconcerned.
Article25'
Signature
ThepresentConvention [andtheprotocolconcerning ]shallbeopenin
fromtoforsignaturebyStatesinvitedtoparticipate inthe
ConferenceofPlenipotentiar iesheldinIt[they]shallalsobeopenfor
signaturebetweenthesamedatesbyanyregionaleconomicintegrationorganization
exercisingcompetenceinfieldscoveredbytheConventionandhavingatleastone
memberStatewhichbelongstotheWiderCaribbeanRegionprovidedthatsuch
regionalorganization hasbeeninvitedtoparticipate intheConferenceof
Pienipotentiaries.
Article26/
Ratification ,Ac:ptanceandApproval
L.ThisConvention andanyoth«.iprotocoltheretoshallbesubjectto
..aLification ,acceptanceorapprovalbyStates.Instrumentsofratification ,
ti^ceptanceorapprovalshallbedepositedwiththeGovernmentofwhichwill
i.-.LuiiethefunctionsofIJepuciitary .
"ttiisConvention andanyprotocolshallalsobesubjecttoratification ,
u:ceptance ,orapprovalbyregionaleconomicintegrationorganizations referredto
inarticle2!ihavingat-leastonenumberStateapartytotheConvention.Intheir
instrumentsofratification ,acceptance ,approvaloraccession,theregional
economicintegrationorganizations referredtoinarticle25or27shalldeclare
uieextentoftheircompetent..:withrespecttothemattersgovernedbythis
Convention.Theseorganizations shallalsoinformtheDepositaryofany
substantial modification intheextentoftheircompetence .
/...

-12-
Article27
Accession
–._______
1.Asfrom thepresentConvention [andtheprotocolconcerning ]
shallbeopentoraccessionbytheStatesandregionaleconomicintegration
organizations referredtoinarticle25.
2.AfterentryintoforceoftheConvention andofanyprotocolanyStatesnot
referredtoinarticle25oranyregionaleconomicintegrationorganization
exercisingcompetenceinfieldscoveredbytheConventionandhavingatleastone,
memberStatewhichbelongstotheWiderCaribbean Hegion,apartytotheConvention
mayaccedetothisConvention andtoanyprotocoluponthetermssetoutin
paragraph 2ofarticle26subjecttopriorapprovalbythreefourthsofthe
ContractingPartiestotheConventionorprotocolconcerned .
Article26„
Entryintobotce
r
1.ThisConventionshallenterintoforce[onthesamedateasthefirstofits
[JI11LocoIstoenterintoforce.][onthethirtiethdayfollowingthedateofdeposit
>i.itleastfiveinstrumentsofratification ,acceptanceorapprovalbythe
',ijiiuLoiies-ielerred'_uin.irtic'e25.] _
AnyprotocoltothisConvention ,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinsuch
shallenterintoforceonthethirtiethdayfollowingthedateofdeposit
oiatleastfiveinstrumentsofratification ,acceptance,orapprovalofsuch
l-iioujcolbytheSignatoriesreferredtoinarticle25.
*
i.Inthecalculation ofthenumberofin£trujpentsofratification ,acceptanceor
approval,anyinstrumentdepositedbyaregionaleconomicintegrationorganization
icterredtoinarticle25shallnotbecountedasadditionaltothatdepositedby
anymemberStateofsuchorganization .
4.'lliereafter,thisConvention andanyprotocolshallenterintoforcewith
ii^pecttoanyStateorregionaleconomicintegrationorganization referredtoin
article25or27onthethirtiethdayfollowingthedateof<Jeix>sitofthe
instrumentsofratification ,acceptance ,approvaloraccession.
/
Article29
Withdrawai
i.Atanytimeaftertwoyearsfromthedateofentryintoforceofthis
iiiivontwnwithrespecttoaContractingParty,thatContractingPartyMaywithdraw
iM-inthisConventionbygivingwrittennotificationotwithdrawaltotheDepositary
/...

ExceptasmaybeotherwiseprovidedinanyprotocoltothisConvention,any
utractingPartymay,atanytimeaftertwoyearsfromthedateofentryinto
iceofsuchprotocolwithrespectto.thatContracting Party,withdrawfromsuch
•LOCOIbygivingWLittennotification ofwithdrawaltotheDepositary.
Withdrawalshalltakeeffectninetydaysafterthedateonwhichnotification
withdrawalisreceivedbytheDepositary.
AnyContracting PartywhichwithdrawsfromthisConventionshallbeconsidered
alsohavingwithdrawnfroma;iyprotocoltowhichitwasaParty.
AnyContracting Partywhich,uponitswithdrawal fromaprotocol,isnolonger
!\»rtytoanyprotocoltothisConvention ,shallbeconsideredasalsohaving
(lutrawnfromthisConvention .
Article30
Responsibilities oftheDepositary
TheDepositaryshallinformtheSignatories andtheContractingParties,as
LlastheOrganization :
illofthesignatureofthisConvention andofanyprotocoltheretoandof
thedepositofinstrumentsofratification ,acceptance,approvalor
accessioninaccordance witharticles25,26and27>
m;ofthedateonwhichtheConvention andanyprotocolwillc^meintoforce
inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle28)
iii)ofnotification ofwithdrawal made,inaccordancewitharticle29}
iiv)oftheamendmentsadoptedwithrespecttotheConvention andtoany
protocol,theiracceptance bytheContractingPartiesandthedateof
entryintoforceofthoseamendmentsinaccordancewiththeprovisionsof
article18j
(vjofallmattersrelatingt-onewannexesandoftheamendmentofanyannex
inaccordance witharticle19)
ivi)ofnotifications byregionaleconomicintegration organizations ofthe
modifications referredtoioarticles26and27intheextentoftheir
Vcompetencewithre.^jecttomattersgovernedbythisConvention .
TheoriginalofthisConventionandofanyprotocoltheretoshallbedeposited
>11theDepositary,theGovernmentof,whichshallsendcertifiedcopies
.i»:ottotheSignatories andtheContractingParties,totheOrganization ,andto
:x.-cietary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsforregistration andpublicationin
■••-•runiiCewitharticle102oftneUnitedliaticnsCharter.

-14-
.hjkssWHEREOFtheundersigned ,beingdulyauthorized bytheirrespective
iiuit-nts,havesignedthisConvention ,.
atoninsinglecopyintheEnglish,FrenchandSpanishlanguages,
Lhrtetextsbeingequallyauthoritative .