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IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos has said that the organization will study the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15), readjust its work plan if necessary and continue to work towards putting a regulatory framework in place aimed at reducing emissions from ships.

In a statement, Mitropoulos said: “Like many others, who have made comments on the outcome of COP 15, I have viewed the end result of the Copenhagen Conference with mixed feelings: with concern that the target initially pursued, following the 2007 Bali Conference, of a legally binding instrument, was not achieved; with measured satisfaction that, through the Accord tabled at the end of the deliberations, a step in the right direction was taken enabling progress to be made towards a legally binding instrument; and with hope that, following new rounds of consultations to be held post-Copenhagen, the required consensus on action needed to be taken to save the planet will be reached at the next Conference – possibly in Mexico one year from now.

"Notwithstanding the outcome of COP 15, the international maritime community stands ready to build on the momentum created in Copenhagen by contributing further to the attainment of the objectives set through the 2005 IMO Action Plan, namely the putting in place of a comprehensive regulatory regime aimed at limiting or reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. To that end, we have already made good progress through a partnership of our Member States, the shipping industry and civil society interests. We can, therefore, move forward now, through our Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), to complete that Action Plan and to enact the standards, measures and mechanisms required to that effect.

"While the outcome of COP 15 gives us more time to make real progress in our work, at the same time it creates an increased obligation on IMO to intensify its efforts so that it may be able to present, to COP 16/17, concrete results as evidence not only of its determination to play its part in the world efforts to stem climate change and global warming but also of its continued capability to serve the environment, as it has successfully done over the years through its measures to prevent pollution of the seas from oil and other vessel-originated sources and, most recently, air pollution from ships.

"We will study carefully the text that emerged from COP 15 to see what, if any, repercussions it may have on shipping and our work, and will report to MEPC 60 (March 2010) on the outcome of our findings so that appropriate action – including readjusting our work plan so that the contribution of shipping is equitable, commensurate and proportionate to that of other activities – can be taken, as appropriate, on a priority basis.”

The next Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) Meeting - Session No. 60 - will be held at IMO Headquarters in London on Mar 22-23 2010.

The Provisional Agenda covers the following areas:

*Prevention of air pollution from ships (WG).

*Interpretations of, and amendments to, MARPOL and related instruments.

*Promotion of implementation and enforcement of MARPOL and related instruments.

*Technical Co-operation Sub-programme for the Protection of the Marine Environment