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HNS / Special Consultative Meeting Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 14 – 15 June 2011

Special Consultative Meeting Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 14 – 15 June 2011

Posted: 14/06/2011

A special consultative meeting took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on 14 and 15 June 2011, which brought together nine States that had expressed an interest in the ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol. In light of the changes introduced by the 2010 HNS Protocol, the meeting provided an occasion to revisit the outcomes of the 2003 Ottawa meeting (see below page), mentioned in Resolution 4 of the 2010 HNS Protocol, as the best approach for the implementation of the 1996 HNS Convention (document LEG 87/11).

The delegates at the Rotterdam meeting were reminded that the 2010 HNS Protocol would be open for signature until 31 October 2011. The delegates agreed that States considering ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol should be encouraged to show their intention by signing the Protocol before the deadline. The delegates further agreed that it would be important for those States that were unable to meet the deadline, even though they were interested in ratification/accession, to at least clarify their position at the regular session of the 1992 Fund Assembly to be held from 24 to 28 October 2011, which coincides with the end of the signature period.