Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Sprememb Konvencije o varstvu Sredozemskega morja pred onesnaženjem (MSKVSM), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 25. oktobra 2002.

Ljubljana, 5. novembra 2002

Ratificirajo se Spremembe Konvencije o varstvu Sredozemskega morja pred onesnaženjem, sprejete v Barceloni 10. junija 1995.

Spremembe konvencije se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasijo:

The title of the Convention is amended as follows:
CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND THE COASTAL REGION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

The second preambular paragraph of the Convention is amended as follows:
Fully aware of their responsibility to preserve and sustainably develop this common heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
The following paragraphs are added to the Preamble:
Fully aware that the Mediterranean Action Plan, since its adoption in 1975 and through its evolution, has contributed to the process of sustainable development in the Mediterranean region and has represented a substantive and dynamic tool for the implementation of the activities related to the Convention and its Protocols by the Contracting Parties,
Taking into account the results of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro from 4 to 14 June 1992,
Also taking into account the Declaration of Genoa of 1985, the Charter on Nicosia of 1990, the Declaration of Cairo of 1992 on Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation on the Environment within the Mediterranean Basin, the recommendations of the Conference of Casablanca of 1993, and the Declaration of Tunis of 1994 on the Sustainable Development of the Mediterranean,
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, done at Montego Bay on 10 December 1982 and signed by many Contracting Parties,

Paragraph 2. of Article 1 is amended as follows:
2. The application of the Convention may be extended to coastal areas as defined by each Contracting Party within its own territory.
The following paragraph is added to Article 1 as new paragraph 3:
3. Any Protocol to this Convention may extend the geographical coverage to which that particular Protocol applies.

Paragraph (a) of Article 2 is amended as follows:
(a) “Pollution” means the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment, including estuaries, which results, or is likely to result, in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities, including fishing and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of quality for use of seawater and reduction of amenities.

Paragraph 1 and 2 of Article 3 are amended as follows:
1. (renumbered as 2) The Contracting Parties may enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements, including regional or sub-regional agreements for the promotion of sustainable development, the protection of the environment, the conservation and preservation of natural resources in the Mediterranean Sea Area, provided that such agreements are consistent with this Convention and the Protocols and conform to international law. Copies of such agreements shall be communicated to the Organisation. As appropriate, Contracting Parties should make use of existing organisations, agreements or arrangements in the Mediterranean Sea Area.
2. (renumbered as 3) Nothing in this Convention and its Protocols shall prejudice the rights and positions of any State concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982.
The following new paragraphs are added to Article 3:
0. (renumbered as 1) The Contracting Parties, when applying this Convention and its related Protocols, shall act in conformity with international law.
3. (renumbered as 4) The Contracting Parties shall take individual or joint initiatives, compatible with international law trough the relevant international organisations to encourage the implementation of the provisions of this Convention and its Protocols by all the non-party states.
3bis. (renumbered as 5) Nothing in this Convention and its Protocols shall affect the sovereign immunity of warships or other ships owned or operated by a State while engaged in government non-commercial service. However, each Contracting Party shall ensure that its vessels and aircraft, entitled to sovereign immunity under international law, act in a manner consistent with this Protocol.

Article 4 is amended as follows:
1. The Contracting Parties shall individually or jointly take all appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and those Protocols in force to which they are party to prevent, abate, combat and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area and to protect and enhance the marine environment in that Area so as to contribute towards its sustainable development.
2. The Contracting Parties pledge themselves to take appropriate measures to implement the Mediterranean Action Plan and, further, to pursue the protection of the marine environment and the natural resources of the Mediterranean Sea Area as an integral part of the development process, meeting the needs of present and future generations in an equitable manner. For the purpose of implementing the objectives of sustainable development the Contracting Parties shall take fully into account the recommendations of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development established within the framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan.
3. In order to protect the environment and contribute to the sustainable development of the Mediterranean Sea Area, the Contracting Parties shall:
(a) apply, in accordance with their capabilities, the precautionary principle, by virtue of which where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation;
(b) apply the polluter pays principle, by virtue of which the costs of pollution prevention, control and reduction measures are to be borne by the polluter, with due regard to the public interest;
(c) undertake environmental impact assessment for proposed activities that are likely to cause a significant adverse impact on the marine environment and are subject to an authorisation by competent national authorities;
(d) promote cooperation between and among States in environmental impact assessment procedures related to activities under their jurisdiction or control which are likely to have a significant adverse effect on the marine environment of other States or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, on the basis of notification, exchange of information and consultation;
(e) commit themselves to promote the integrated management of the coastal zones, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources.
4. In implementing the Convention and the related Protocols, the Contracting Parties shall:
(a) adopt programmes and measures which contain, where appropriate, time limits for their completion;
(b) utilize the best available techniques and the best environmental practices and promote the application of, access to and transfer of environmentally sound technology, including clean production technologies, taking into account the social, economic and technological conditions.
5. The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the formulation and adoption of Protocols, prescribing agreed measures, procedures and standards for the implementation of this Convention.
6. The Contracting Parties further pledge themselves to promote, within the international bodies considered to be competent by the Contracting Parties, measures concerning the implementation of programmes of sustainable development, the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the environment and of the natural resources in the Mediterranean Sea Area.

The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area caused by dumping from ships and aircraft or incineration at sea.

Article 6 is amended as follows:
The Contracting Parties shall take all measures in conformity with international law to prevent, abate, combat and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area caused by discharges from ships and to ensure the effective implementation in that Area of the rules which are generally recognized at the international level relating to the control of this type of pollution.

Article 7 is amended as follows:
The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate, combat and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area resulting from exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf and the seabed and its subsoil.

Article 8 is amended as follows:
The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate, combat and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area and to draw up and implement plans for the reduction and phasing out of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulate arising from land-based sources. These measures shall apply:
(a) to pollution from land-based sources originating within the territories of the Parties, and reaching the sea:
– directly from outfalls discharging into the sea or through coastal disposal;
– indirectly trough rivers, canals or other watercourses, including underground watercourses, or through run-off;
(b) to pollution form land-based sources transported by the atmosphere.

The Contracting Parties shall, individually or jointly, take all appropriate measures to protect and preserve biological diversity, rare or fragile ecosystems, as well as species of wild fauna and flora which are rare, depleted, threatened or endangered and their habitats, in the area to which this Convention applies.

The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the environment which can be caused by transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous wastes, and to reduce to a minimum, and if possible eliminate, such transboundary movements.

Paragraph 2 is amended as follows:
2. The Contracting Parties undertake to promote the research on, access to and transfer of environmentally sound technology, including clean production technologies and to cooperate in the formulation, establishment and implementation of clean production processes.

1. The Contracting Parties shall adopt legislation implementing the Convention and the Protocols.
2. The Secretariat may, upon request from a Contracting Party, assist that Party in the drafting of environmental legislation in compliance with the Convention and the Protocols.

1. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that their competent authorities shall give to the public appropriate access to information on the environmental state in the field of application of the Convention and the Protocols, on activities or measures adversely affecting or likely to affect it and on activities carried out or measures taken in accordance with the Convention and the Protocols.
2. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that the opportunity is given to the public to participate in decision making processes relevant to the field of application of the Convention and the Protocols, as appropriate.
3. The provision of paragraph 1. of this Article shall not prejudice the right of Contracting Parties to refuse, in accordance with their legal systems and applicable international regulations, to provide access to such information on the ground of confidentiality, public security or investigation proceedings, stating the reasons for such a refusal.

Article 12 is amended as follows:
The Contracting Parties undertake to cooperate in the formulation and adoption of appropriate rules and procedures for the determination of liability and compensation for damage resulting from pollution of the marine environment in the Mediterranean Sea Area.

Paragraph (iii) of Article 13 is amended as follows:
(iii) to receive, consider and reply to enquiries and information from the Contracting Parties;
The following new paragraphs are added to Article 13:
(iii bis) (renumbered as (iv))
to receive, consider and reply to enquiries and information form non-governmental organisations and the public when they relate to subjects of common interest or to activities carried out at the regional level; in this case, the Contracting Parties concerned shall be informed;
(iv bis) (renumbered as (vi))
to regularly report to the Contracting Parties on the implementation of the Convention and of the Protocols;

The following new subparagraph is added to Article 14, paragraph 2:
(vii) to approve the Programme Budget.

1. The Bureau of the Contracting Parties shall be composed of representatives of the Contracting Parties elected by the Meeting of the Contracting Parties. In electing the members of the Bureau, the Meeting of the Contracting Parties shall observe the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
2. The functions of the Bureau and the terms and conditions upon which it shall operate shall be set in the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Meeting of the Contracting Parties.

1. The Contracting Parties may decide to admit as observers at their meetings and conferences:
(a) any State which is not a Contracting Party to the Convention;
(b) any international governmental organisation or any non-governmental organisation the activities of which are related to the Convention.
2. Such observers may participate in meeting without the right to vote and may present any information or report relevant to the objectives of the Convention.
3. The conditions for the admission and participation of observers shall be established in the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Contracting Parties.

Paragraph 3 of Article 15 is deleted.

Paragraph 2 of Article 18 is amended as follows:
2. The Contracting Parties shall adopt financial rules, prepared in consultation with the Organisation, to determine, in particular, their financial participation in the Trust Fund.

Article 20 is amended as follows:
1. The Contracting Parties shall transmit to the Organisation reports on:
(a) the legal, administrative or other measures taken by them for the implementation of this Convention, the Protocols and of the recommendations adopted by their meetings;
(b) the effectiveness of the measures referred to in subparagraph (a) and problems encountered in the implementation of the instruments as mentioned above.
2. The reports shall be submitted in such form and at such intervals as the Meetings of Contracting Parties may determine.

Article 21 is amended as follows:
The meetings of the Contracting Parties shall, on the basis of periodical reports referred to in Article 20 and any other report submitted by the Contracting Parties, assess the compliance with the Convention and the Protocols as well as the measures and recommendations. They shall recommend, when appropriate, the necessary steps to bring about full compliance with the Convention and the Protocols and promote the implementation of the decisions and recommendations.

 
 
 

Naslov konvencije, kot je spremenjen:
KONVENCIJA ZA VARSTVO MORSKEGA OKOLJA IN OBALNEGA OBMOČJA SREDOZEMLJA

Drugi uvodni odstavek konvencije, kot je spremenjen:
ki se popolnoma zavedajo svoje dolžnosti, da ohranijo in trajnostno razvijajo to skupno dediščino v dobro in uživanje sedanjih in prihodnjih rodov,
Odstavki, kot so dodani uvodu:
ki se popolnoma zavedajo, da je Sredozemski akcijski načrt od svojega sprejetja v letu 1975 in med svojim razvojem prispeval k trajnostnemu razvoju na sredozemskem območju in je za pogodbenice pomembno in dinamično orodje za izvajanje dejavnosti, povezanih s konvencijo in njenimi protokoli,
ki upoštevajo dosežke Konference Združenih narodov o okolju in razvoju, ki je bila od 4. do 14. junija 1992 v Riu de Janeiru,
ki upoštevajo tudi Genovsko deklaracijo iz leta 1985, Nikozijsko listino iz leta 1990, Kairsko deklaracijo o evropsko-sredozemskem sodelovanju na področju okolja v sredozemskem bazenu iz leta 1992, priporočila Konference v Casablanci leta 1993 in Tuniško deklaracijo o trajnostnem razvoju Sredozemlja iz leta 1994,
ki upoštevajo ustrezne določbe Konvencije Združenih narodov o pomorskem mednarodnem pravu, sestavljene 10. decembra 1982 v Montego Bayu, ki so jo podpisale številne pogodbenice,

Drugi odstavek 1. člena, kot je spremenjen:
2. Uporaba konvencije se lahko razširi na obalna območja, kot jih določijo pogodbenice vsaka na svojem ozemlju.
1. členu se doda odstavek kot novi tretji odstavek:
3. Vsak protokol k tej konvenciji lahko razširi geografsko območje, za katero se uporablja.

Odstavek (a) 2. člena, kot je spremenjen:
(a) “Onesnaževanje“ pomeni človekovo neposredno ali posredno vnašanje snovi ali energije v morsko okolje, vključno z rečnimi ustji, ki ima ali bo verjetno imelo škodljive posledice, kot so poškodbe življenjskih virov in življenja v morju, ogrožanje človekovega zdravja, oviranje pomorskih dejavnosti, vključno z ribolovom in drugimi zakonitimi oblikami izkoriščanja morja, slabša kakovost morske vode za uporabo in manj možnosti za rekreacijo in drugo uporabo.

Prvi in drugi odstavek 3. člena, kot sta spremenjena:
1. (preštevilčen kot 2.) Pogodbenice lahko sklepajo dvostranske ali večstranske sporazume skupaj z območnimi ali podobmočnimi sporazumi za pospeševanje trajnostnega razvoja varstva okolja ter varstva in ohranjanja naravnih virov na območju Sredozemskega morja, če so tovrstni sporazumi skladni s to konvencijo in protokoli ter z mednarodnim pravom. Kopije takih sporazumov se pošljejo organizaciji. Če je to primerno, naj bi pogodbenice uporabile obstoječe organizacije, sporazume ali ureditve na območju Sredozemskega morja.
2. (preštevilčen kot 3.) Nič v tej konvenciji in njenih protokolih ne posega v pravice in stališča katere koli države glede Konvencije Združenih narodov o pomorskem mednarodnem pravu iz leta 1982.

0. (preštevilčen kot 1.) Pogodbenice pri uporabi te konvencije in z njo povezanih protokolov ravnajo skladno z mednarodnim pravom.
3. (preštevilčen kot 4.) Pogodbenice prek ustreznih mednarodnih organizacij dajejo posamične ali skupne pobude, združljive z mednarodnim pravom, da vse države nečlanice spodbudijo k izvajanju določb te konvencije in njenih protokolov.
3. bis (preštevilčen kot 5.) Nič v tej konvenciji in njenih protokolih ne vpliva na popolno nedotakljivost vojaških ali drugih ladij, ki so v lasti države ali jih država upravlja, medtem ko opravljajo državno nekomercialno dejavnost. Vsaka pogodbenica pa zagotovi, da njena plovila in zrakoplovi, ki so po mednarodnem pravu upravičeni do popolne nedotakljivosti, ravnajo skladno s tem protokolom.

4. člen, kot je spremenjen:
1. Pogodbenice posamič ali skupaj storijo vse potrebno v skladu z določbami te konvencije in tistih veljavnih protokolov, katerih pogodbenice so, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje ter se proti njemu borijo na območju Sredozemskega morja in da zavarujejo in izboljšajo morsko okolje na tem območju, s čimer prispevajo k njegovemu trajnostnemu razvoju.
2. Pogodbenice se zavezujejo, da bodo sprejele ustrezne ukrepe za izvajanje Sredozemskega akcijskega načrta in da bodo poleg tega varstvo morskega okolja in naravnih virov na območju Sredozemskega morja vključile v razvojni proces kot njegov sestavni del ob pravičnem zadovoljevanju potreb sedanjih in prihodnjih rodov. Pri uresničevanju ciljev trajnostnega razvoja pogodbenice v celoti upoštevajo priporočila Sredozemske komisije za trajnostni razvoj, ustanovljene v okviru Sredozemskega akcijskega načrta.
3. Da bi zavarovale okolje in prispevale k trajnostnemu razvoju območja Sredozemskega morja, pogodbenice:
(a) v skladu s svojimi zmožnostmi uporabljajo previdnostno načelo, na podlagi katerega se pri grožnji velike ali nepopravljive škode pomanjkanje znanstvene zanesljivosti ne sme uporabiti kot razlog za odlaganje gospodarnih ukrepov, ki bi preprečili razvrednotenje okolja;
(b) uporabljajo načelo “onesnaževalec plača“, na podlagi katerega stroške ukrepov za preprečevanje, nadzorovanje in zmanjševanje onesnaževanja plača onesnaževalec ob ustreznem upoštevanju javnega interesa;
(c) opravijo presojo vplivov na okolje za predlagane dejavnosti, ki bi lahko pomembno škodljivo vplivale na morsko okolje in za katere je potrebno dovoljenje pristojnih državnih organov;
(d) z uradnimi obvestili, izmenjavo informacij in posvetovanji spodbujajo sodelovanje med državami pri postopkih presoje vplivov na okolje v zvezi z dejavnostmi pod njihovo jurisdikcijo ali nadzorom, ki bi lahko pomembno škodljivo vplivale na morsko okolje drugih držav ali območij zunaj meja državne jurisdikcije;
(e) prevzemajo obveznost, da bodo spodbujale celovito upravljanje obalnih con ob upoštevanju varstva območij ekološkega in krajinskega pomena ter smotrne uporabe naravnih virov.
4. Pri izvajanju konvencije in z njo povezanih protokolov pogodbenice:
(a) sprejemajo programe in ukrepe, v katerih so navedeni, če je to primerno, tudi roki za njihovo izvedbo;
(b) uporabljajo najboljše razpoložljive metode in najboljšo okoljsko prakso ter spodbujajo uporabo okolju primerne tehnologije, dostop do nje in njen prenos, vključno s čistimi proizvodnimi tehnologijami, ob upoštevanju socialnih, gospodarskih in tehnoloških razmer.
5. Pogodbenice sodelujejo pri oblikovanju in sprejemanju protokolov, ki predpisujejo dogovorjene ukrepe, postopke in standarde za izvajanje te konvencije.
6. Poleg tega se pogodbenice zavezujejo, da bodo v okviru mednarodnih teles, za katera menijo, da so pristojna, spodbujale ukrepe za izvajanje programov trajnostnega razvoja ter za varstvo, ohranjanje in ponovno oživitev okolja in naravnih virov na območju Sredozemskega morja.

Pogodbenice storijo vse potrebno, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje območja Sredozemskega morja, ki ga povzroča odmetavanje z ladij in zrakoplovov ali sežiganje na morju.

6. člen, kot je spremenjen:
Pogodbenice skladno z mednarodnim pravom storijo vse potrebno, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje, ki ga na območju Sredozemskega morja povzročajo izpusti iz ladij, ter se proti njemu borijo in da na tem območju zagotovijo učinkovito izvajanje pravil, ki so splošno priznana na mednarodni ravni in se nanašajo na nadzor te vrste onesnaževanja.

7. člen, kot je spremenjen:
Pogodbenice storijo vse potrebno, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje na območju Sredozemskega morja, ki je posledica raziskovanja in izkoriščanja epikontinentalnega pasu ter morskega dna in podzemlja, ter se proti njemu borijo.

8. člen, kot je spremenjen:
Pogodbenice storijo vse potrebno, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje na območju Sredozemskega morja ter se proti njemu borijo in da izdelajo in izvajajo načrte za zmanjšanje in opuščanje strupenih in obstojnih snovi in snovi, ki se lahko kopičijo v organizmih ter izhajajo iz virov na kopnem. Ti ukrepi se uporabljajo za:
(a) onesnaženje iz virov na kopnem, ki nastane na ozemlju pogodbenic in doseže morje:
– neposredno iz odvodnih kanalov z iztokom v morje ali zaradi odlaganja na obali;
– posredno po rekah, kanalih ali drugih vodotokih, vključno s podzemnimi vodotoki, ali po drugih odtokih;
(b) onesnaženje iz virov na kopnem, ki se prenaša po zraku.

Pogodbenice posamič ali skupaj storijo vse potrebno, da zavarujejo in ohranijo biološko raznovrstnost, redke ali občutljive ekosisteme in redke, zredčene, ogrožene ali prizadete vrste prosto živečih živali in rastlin ter njihove življenjske prostore na območju, za katero se uporablja ta konvencija.

Pogodbenice storijo vse potrebno, da preprečijo, ublažijo in v največji možni meri odpravijo onesnaževanje okolja, ki ga lahko povzročita čezmejni prevoz in odstranjevanje nevarnih odpadkov, ter da omejijo take prevoze na najmanjšo možno raven in jih, če je to mogoče, odpravijo.

Drugi odstavek, kot je spremenjen:
2. Pogodbenice se zavezujejo, da bodo pospeševale raziskovanje okolju primerno tehnologijo, dostop do nje in njen prenos, vključno s čistimi proizvodnimi tehnologijami, in da bodo sodelovale pri oblikovanju, uvajanju in izvajanju čistih proizvodnih procesov.

1. Pogodbenice sprejmejo zakonodajo za izvajanje konvencije in protokolov.
2. Sekretariat lahko na zahtevo pogodbenice tej pogodbenici pomaga pri pripravi okoljske zakonodaje, skladne s konvencijo in protokoli.

1. Pogodbenice zagotovijo, da njihovi pristojni organi omogočajo javnosti primeren dostop do informacij o stanju okolja pri uporabi konvencije in protokolov, o dejavnostih ali ukrepih, ki škodljivo vplivajo ali bi lahko škodljivo vplivali na okolje, in o dejavnostih ali ukrepih, ki se izvajajo v skladu s konvencijo in protokoli.
2. Pogodbenice zagotovijo, da ima javnost možnost sodelovati pri postopkih odločanja, ki se nanašajo na uporabo konvencije in protokolov, kot je to primerno.
3. Določba prvega odstavka tega člena ne posega v pravico pogodbenic, da v skladu s svojim pravnim redom in veljavnimi mednarodnimi predpisi zavrnejo dostop do takih informacij zaradi zaupnosti, javne varnosti ali preiskovalnih postopkov in pri tem navedejo razloge za tako zavrnitev.

12. člen, kot je spremenjen:
Pogodbenice se zavezujejo, da bodo sodelovale pri oblikovanju in sprejemanju ustreznih pravil in postopkov za določanje odgovornosti in odškodnine za škodo, nastalo zaradi onesnaževanja morskega okolja na območju Sredozemskega morja.

Odstavek (iii) 13. člena, kot je spremenjen:
(iii) prejema, obravnava in odgovarja na vprašanja in informacije pogodbenic;
13. členu sta dodana nova odstavka:
(iii bis) (preštevilčen kot (iv))
prejema, obravnava in odgovarja na vprašanja in informacije nevladnih organizacij in javnosti, če se nanašajo na teme skupnega pomena ali dejavnosti, ki se izvajajo na regionalni ravni; v tem primeru je treba obvestiti pogodbenice, ki jih to zadeva;
(iv bis) (preštevilčen kot (vi))
pogodbenicam redno poroča o izvajanju konvencije in protokolov;

Drugemu odstavku 14. člena se doda nov pododstavek:
(vii) da se odobri programski proračun.

1. Urad pogodbenic sestavljajo predstavniki pogodbenic, izvoljeni na zasedanju pogodbenic. Pri volitvah članov urada pogodbenice na zasedanju upoštevajo načelo pravične geografske porazdelitve.
2. Naloge urada in pogoji njegovega delovanja se določijo v poslovniku, ki ga sprejmejo pogodbenice na zasedanju.

1. Pogodbenice lahko dovolijo, da se njihovih zasedanj in konferenc kot opazovalka udeleži:
(a) katera koli država, ki ni pogodbenica konvencije;
(b) katera koli mednarodna vladna ali katera koli nevladna organizacija, katere dejavnosti so povezane s konvencijo.
2. Te opazovalke lahko sodelujejo na zasedanjih brez pravice do glasovanja in lahko predstavijo kakršne koli informacije ali poročila, povezana s cilji konvencije.
3. Pogoji za udeležbo in sodelovanje opazovalk se določijo v poslovniku, ki ga sprejmejo pogodbenice.

Tretji odstavek 15. člena se črta.

Drugi odstavek 18. člena, kot je spremenjen:
2. Pogodbenice sprejmejo finančna pravila, pripravljena po posvetovanju z organizacijo, zlasti da določijo svojo finančno udeležbo v skladu.

20. člen, kot je spremenjen:
1. Pogodbenice organizaciji pošiljajo poročila:
(a) o pravnih, upravnih ali drugih ukrepih, ki jih sprejmejo za izvajanje te konvencije, protokolov in priporočil, sprejetih na njihovih zasedanjih;
(b) o učinkovitosti ukrepov iz pododstavka (a) in problemih, s katerimi se srečujejo pri njihovem izvajanju.
2. Poročila se predložijo v obliki in časovnih presledkih, ki jih določijo pogodbenice na zasedanjih.

21. člen, kot je spremenjen:
Pogodbenice na zasedanjih na podlagi rednih poročil iz 20. člena in vseh drugih poročil, ki jih predložijo, presojajo skladnost s konvencijo in protokoli ter ukrepi in priporočili. Če je to primerno, priporočijo potrebne ukrepe, da se doseže polna skladnost s konvencijo in protokoli in pospeši izvajanje sklepov in priporočil.

Za izvajanje sprememb konvencije skrbi Ministrstvo za okolje, prostor in energijo.

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.