Marine Pollution Working Group
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MARINE POLLUTION WORKING GROUP
Background
In addition to its review of priority pollution threats, the CMS workshop on marine pollution recommended, inter alia, the establishment of an open-ended working group to support the work of CMS on this broad topic. Such a group will allow expert opinion to inform the development and delivery of an appropriate work programme.
Purpose
a) The primary objective of the Working Group is to support the delivery of relevant tasks as identified by the COP related to marine pollution, with a particular focus on chemical pollution and marine debris.
b) In addition, the Working Group will advise the COP-appointed Councillor for Marine Pollution and assist her/him in developing ways for CMS to further develop work in this area.
c) The Working Group will also help to monitor relevant scientific literature and facilitate the provision of timely advice to the Parties.
Membership
a) Membership of the Working Group can include both members of the Scientific Council and observers. The Working Group will strive to maintain a balance of gender, regional representation and taxonomic categories of expertise.
b) The involvement of Working Group members is entirely on voluntarily basis.
c) If and when needed, experts external to the Working Group and interested in contributing to the objectives of the Working Group may occasionally be invited to join meetings or to support specific tasks.
Organization of work
a) The Working Group will be chaired by the COP-appointed Councillor for Marine Pollution. If the Chair has to leave her/his position, a new Chair will be appointed from among the remaining Sessional Committee/Scientific Council members of the Working Group.
b) The Working Group will mainly operate electronically by communicating via email and making possible use of a dedicated workspace.
c) The Chair of the Working Group will report on progress to the Sessional Committee.
d) The CMS Secretariat will support and facilitate the coordination of the activities and the organization of meetings of the Working Group.
Duration
The Working Group will remain in place until the Sessional Committee decides that its work is complete or an alternative arrangement is made.