Barcelona Convention
The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean, originally the Convention for Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, and often simply referred to as the Barcelona Convention, is a regional convention adopted in 1976 to prevent and abate pollution from ships, aircraft and land based sources in the Mediterranean Sea. This includes but is not limited to dumping, run-off and discharges. Signers agreed to cooperate and assist in dealing with pollution emergencies, monitoring and scientific research. The convention was adopted on 16 February 1976 and amended on 10  June 1995. The Barcelona Convention and its protocols form the legal framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan (approved in 1975), developed under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Seas Programme. Goals. The key goal of the convention is to "reduce pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and protect and improve the marine environment in the area, thereby contributing to its sustainable development". To achieve this a number of aims and commitments have been established. Commitments. Members agreed to take specific measures: Status. Originally, fourteen states and the European Communities signed the Convention adopted in 1976. It came into effect on  12 February 1978. The amendments adopted in 1995 have yet to be ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina. Parties are all countries with a Mediterranean shoreline as well as the European Union. NGOs with a stated interest and third-party governments are allowed observer status. The convention is applicable to the 'Zone of the Mediterranean Sea'. This is defined as 'the maritime waters of the Mediterranean as such, with all its gulfs and tributary seas, bounded to the west by the Strait of Gibraltar and to the east by the Dardanelle Strait'. Parties are allowed to extend the application of the  convention to the coastal areas within their own territory.