RESOLUTION 1.13

AWARDING OF THE STATUS "ACCOBAMS' PARTNER"

The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area,

Considering that a number of Organisations and Institutions technically qualified in Cetacean Conservation play a significant role in the relevant activities of the Agreement;

Recognising fully the active collaboration with the Interim Secretariat and the important role played by American Society of International Law - Wildlife Interest Group European Cetacean Society (ECS), Instituto Centrale per la Ricerca Applicata al Mare (ICRAM), National Institute for marine research and development “Grigore Antipa”, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS), Tethys Research Institute, University of Valencia, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), BREMA Laboratory.

Aware that the status of “ACCOBAMS' Partner” emerges as a consequence of the historical relationship between the above-mentioned Organisations with the interim Secretariat, facilitating cooperation in  assessment and management activities of Man-Cetaceans interactions but also in activities of capacity building, collection and dissemination of information, training and education.

Further aware that other Organisations and Institutions, have the potential to contribute to the mission of the Agreement,

Decide:

1.    to adopt the attached rules (annex 1) for conferring the status of "ACCOBAMS' Partner" ;

2.    to formally confirm this status for the following organisations : American Society of International Law - Wildlife Interest Group, European Cetacean Society (ECS), Instituto Centrale per la Ricerca Applicata al Mare (ICRAM), National Institute for marine research and development “Grigore Antipa”, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS), Tethys Research Institute, University of Valencia, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), BREMA Laboratory.

3.    that Organisations and Institutions interested in formal recognition as Partners to the ACCOBAMS should present an application to the Permanent Secretariat of the Agreement for its inclusion in the agenda of the next meeting of the Bureau for decision;

4.    that this status will facilitate their involvement in the implementation of the international priorities adopted by the Contracting Parties and financed by the budget of the Agreement or by the supplementary conservation fund, and  receive scientific committee information in priority;

5.    to urge the Agreement Secretariat to provide the Organisations and Institutions which are "partners" a logo with the label "ACCOBAMS' Partner", which they will be authorised to use for all relevant activities of the Agreement;

6.    that the status "ACCOBAMS' Partner vis-à-vis the Agreement may be reviewed by the Meeting of the Contracting Parties on the basis of a report submitted by the Bureau.

 
ANNEX 1

RULES FOR CONFERRING THE STATUS OF "ACCOBAMS' Partner"  

1.    Organisations and Institutions technically qualified in the conservation of cetaceans formally recognised as Partners of the ACCOBAMS by the Meeting of the Contracting Parties will be expected to contribute on a regular basis and to the best of their ability to the further development of policies, technical and scientific tools of the Agreement and to their application;

2.    Partners shall be invited to participate in an observer capacity and as advisors in all activities of the Agreement, except when otherwise provided by the Meeting of the Parties;

3.    Partners may also be invited, if required, to contribute to the evaluation of project proposals, project implementation, and the evaluation of project results, as well as to participate in the development of policy and  technical and/or scientific instruments for the application of the Agreement;

4.    Thus, the status of Partner shall be conferred to Organisations and Institutions taking into account the following characteristics:

4.1. Having a statement of purpose that explicitly, or by clear implication, includes conservation of Cetaceans and of their habitat, or Man-Cetacean interactions, or other activities relevant to the Agreement;

4.2. Having a track record of experience in providing support to and/or implementing on-the-ground projects of research, collection and analyses of information, or other educative  and training activities that contribute to Cetacean Conservation, or for having realised these projects;

4.3. Having demonstrated experience in implementing partnership ventures such as training and education, technical and/or scientific expertise, policy development, and/or evaluation and assessment, particularly when such ventures would bring new and additional benefits to the functioning of the ACCOBAMS partnership;

4.4. Having a positive reputation for being willing and able to cooperate with National and International Bodies, including both Governmental and Non-Governmental ones;

4.5. Having stated their readiness to actively contribute on a regular basis to  further development of policies and tools of the Agreement and their application, particularly by assisting Contracting Parties to meet their obligations under the Agreement;

4.6. Being prepared to exchange letters with the Secretariat, within which the partnership agreement should be clearly defined.