The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution 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 and its Permanent Secretariat in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Black Sea Commission comprises one representative of each of the Contracting Parties (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine) to the Bucharest Convention.

Structure

The Permanent Secretariat is established to assist the Black Sea Commission.  Its Executive Director and other officials (nationals of all Black Sea States) are appointed by the Black Sea Commission.

Concrete activities and work of the Permanent Secretariat are based on the Annual Work Programs of the Black Sea Commission in implementation of the Bucharest Convention. Concrete activities are the result of coordination with related or relevant national and regional projects/activities, International Financing Agencies and donors, national and regional policy measures and overall efforts of the countries to restore and preserve the environment of the Black Sea.

The Advisory Groups to the Black Sea Commission are its main source of expertise, information and support to in implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan.

The Activity Centers support the activities of the Black Sea Commission. They are defined in the seven strategic sectors of the BSAP. The Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea 2009 elaborates on the further increase of their role efficiency.

Documents BSC Work programme 2008-2009 Black Sea Strategic Action Plan   Useful links Bucharest Convention DABLAS Task Force COM(2007)160 final "Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. Black Sea Synergy – A new regional cooperation initiative" Latest news The final deliverables of the DABLAS Phare Facility are published for Turkey, Croatia and Romania here.