The IMO-Ipieca Global Initiative celebrates 30 years of oil spill preparedness and response

The Global Initiative (GI), a partnership between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Association of Petroleum Companies for International Cooperation (Ipieca), has been supporting the implementation of the IMO’s International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation for 30 years.

Established to prevent and minimize the impact of oil spills on the marine environment, local communities, and maritime workers, the GI brings together governments and industry to develop national structures and capabilities for spill preparedness and response. Patricia Charlebois, Deputy Director of the Marine Environment Division at the IMO, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that "for 30 years, through the GI, the IMO has stood alongside Ipieca, a partnership built on a simple idea that preventing and responding to oil spills is stronger when governments and industry work together."

Brian Sullivan, CEO of Ipieca, added that the GI's longevity lies in its practical and necessary work of bringing governments and industry together before incidents occur and helping countries strengthen their preparedness systems. The GI operates three programs worldwide in high-risk areas, promoting collaboration and understanding that spills cross borders, requiring a joint response that no single party can handle alone.

Charlebois and Sullivan highlighted the enduring success of the GI, noting that spill prevention, preparedness, and response are stronger when government and industry work together. The GI's work remains as crucial today as it was 30 years ago.