The Bonn Agreement welcomes Claire Hughes as Chair for 2023 - 2024

As Director of His Majesty’s Coastguard since 2020, I am honoured to take over the Chair of the Bonn Agreement. Maritime pollution incidents continue to occur, and regional collaboration is key to prevent and combat them. The Bonn Agreement is an example of fruitful cooperation for more than 50 years. We need to maintain the high standards achieved while focusing on new challenges. Thus, during my chairmanship, I will enhance the implementation of the Bonn Agreement Strategic Action Plan BASAP 2019-2025 and the preparation of the future strategy.

The Bonn Agreement is making a huge effort to ensure that its regional monitoring activities will cover air emissions from shipping under Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention. But there are other priorities identified which also need further work such as pollution incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances, new oils, alternative fuels or lost containers

I am very much looking forward to working together with all the Bonn Agreement Contracting Parties to deliver our important work.