The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) is administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in cooperation with the United-Nations Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP). Established in 1976 by the decision of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (the Barcelona Convention of 1976), REMPEC’s mandate is historically to strengthen the capacities of coastal States in the Mediterranean region and to facilitate co-operation among them in order to combat massive marine pollution by oil, particularly by developing national capacities to combat oil pollution and by establishing a regional information system with a view to dealing with marine pollution emergencies. The Centre’s mandate was extended over the years in conformity with the decisions of the Contracting Parties with a view to addressing relevant emerging issues and the respective global developments with a particular focus on preventive measures against pollution from ships. In 2001, with a view to the adoption of the new Protocol concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (Prevention and Emergency Protocol, 2002), the Contracting Parties reaffirmed the involvement of the Centre in activities related to prevention of, preparedness for and response to marine pollution.