TEHRAN – A series of measures have been taken so far for setting up a regional center for biodiversity in Iran. Still, the Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME) should support the country in this regard, an official with the Department of Environment (DOE) has said.

“We announce our full readiness to cooperate with regional countries to implement this strategic plan and support all efforts to secure a sustainable marine environment,” IRNA quoted Mojtaba Zoljoodi as saying.

He made the remarks at the 37th executive committee meeting of ROPME in Kuwait on Monday.

“We have been cooperating with the ROPME for the protection of the marine environment of the region for more than 40 years,” Zoljoodi said.

At the same time, we have tried to take effective measures to prevent and manage marine pollution and preserve its unique environment. But now it's time to adopt a new approach to tackle the problem more seriously, he added.

He went on to say that one of the most effective policies is the use of a road map. A document that defines the strategic direction and paves the way to achieve our goals.

Happily, this strategic plan has been developed under ROPME guidance and the cooperation of all executive committee representatives.

We have approved the prepared document and only made minor amendments to it. It was handed to the ROPME before the meeting, which we hope to be accepted by other member states.

ROPME

ROPME was established in Kuwait in early 1979 and was quickly ratified by seven member states (Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).

The main objective of ROPME is to coordinate efforts of the eight Member States towards protecting the marine and coastal environment and ecosystems in the ROPME Sea Area against marine pollution and stressors that might be induced by developmental activities or/and other drivers of change.

Kuwait regional convention

Adopted in Kuwait on April 24, 1978, by Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution aims to prevent, abate and combat pollution of the marine environment in the region.

MT/MG