Thailand National Contact Points Meeting in Chonburi, Thailand

Chonburi, Thailand — The Fourth National Contact Points Meeting on the Implementation of the Framework Programme on Partnerships in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in the Gulf of Thailand was held on 22 November 2010 in Chonburi, Thailand. The meeting was attended by national contact points from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, relevant government agencies in Thailand, industry partners, namely, the Industry Environmental Safety Group of Thailand (IESG) and Oil Spill Response Limited, and PEMSEA.

 

The meeting reviewed progress within and among countries with respect to oil spill preparedness and response in the Gulf. National initiatives were presented including the development of oil spill contingency plans and environmental sensitivity maps at the local government level. In Cambodia, efforts were focused on the development of the legal framework to support the effective implementation of the national system for oil spill preparedness and response in Cambodia. Regular training and a joint oil spill exercise with the industry were conducted in Thailand. In Vietnam, response capacities were strengthened through the acquisition of oil spill response vessels, establishment of response bases and conduct of training for first responders.

 

Future activities at the subregional level were agreed upon including the development of a sub-regional guideline on the use of chemical dispersants for oil spills and a three-year programme for a joint oil spill exercise among GOT participating countries.

 

The Joint Statement on Partnerships in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response for the Gulf of Thailand was signed by the three countries (Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam) in January 2006. This partnership agreement serves as a platform for cooperation among the countries with regard to research, capacity building and information sharing to strengthen capacities of respective countries in oil spill preparedness and response.