The Convention
The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution [full text]
was signed in Bucharest in April 1992, and ratified by all six legislative
assemblies of the Black Sea countries in the beginning of 1994. Also
referred to as "Bucharest Convention", it is the basic framework of agreement
and three specific Protocols, which are:
(1) the control of land-based sources of pollution;
(2) dumping of waste; and
(3) joint action in the case of accidents (such as oil spills).
the implementation of the Convention is managed by the Commission for the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (also sometimes referred to as the Istanbul Commission), and its Permanent Secretariat in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Signing and ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
| Country | Signed | Ratified | Entry into force | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bulgaria | 21-04-1992 | 23-02-1993 | 15-01-1994 |
| 2 | Georgia | 21-04-1992 | 01-09-1993 | 15-01-1994 |
| 3 | Romania | 21-04-1992 | 10-11-1993 | 15-01-1994 |
| 4 | Russian Federation | 21-04-1992 | 16-11-1993 | 15-01-1994 |
| 5 | Türkiye | 21-04-1992 | 29-03-1994 | 29-03-1994 |
| 6 | Ukraine | 21-04-1992 | 14-04-1994 | 14-04-1994 |
Basic objective of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution:
To substantiate the general obligation of the Contracting Parties to prevent, reduce and control the pollution in the Black Sea in order to protect and preserve the marine environment and to provide legal framework for co-operation and concerted actions to fulfil this obligation.
In particular:
- To prevent pollution by hazardous substances or matter; Annex to the Convention
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution from land-based sources; Protocol to the Convention
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution of the marine environment from vessels in accordance with the generally accepted rules and standards;
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution of the marine environment resulting from emergency situations; Protocol to the Convention
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution by dumping; Protocol to the Convention
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution caused by or connected with activities on the continental shelf, including exploration and exploitation of natural resources;
- To prevent, reduce and control the pollution from or through the atmosphere;
- To protect the biodiversity and the marine living resources; Draft Protocol on the biodiversity
- To prevent the pollution from hazardous wastes in transboundary movement and the illegal traffic thereof; Draft Protocol to the Convention
- To provide framework for scientific and technical co-operation and monitoring activities.