1 Parties undertake to give full and complete
effect to the provisions of this Convention and the Annex thereto
in order to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the transfer
of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens through the control and
management of ships' Ballast Water and Sediments.
2 The Annex forms an integral part of this Convention.
Unless expressly provided otherwise, a reference to this Convention
constitutes at the same time a reference to the Annex.
3 Nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted
as preventing a Party from taking, individually or jointly with other
Parties, more stringent measures with respect to the prevention, reduction
or elimination of the transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens
through the control and management of ships' Ballast Water and Sediments,
consistent with international law.
4 Parties shall endeavour to co-operate for the
purpose of effective implementation, compliance and enforcement of
this Convention.
5 Parties undertake to encourage the continued
development of Ballast Water Management and standards to prevent,
minimize and ultimately eliminate the transfer of Harmful Aquatic
Organisms and Pathogens through the control and management of ships'
Ballast Water and Sediments.
6 Parties taking action pursuant to this Convention
shall endeavour not to impair or damage their environment, human health,
property or resources, or those of other States.
7 Parties should ensure that Ballast Water Management
practices used to comply with this Convention do not cause greater
harm than they prevent to their environment, human health, property
or resources, or those of other States.
8 Parties shall encourage ships entitled to fly
their flag, and to which this Convention applies, to avoid, as far
as practicable, the uptake of Ballast Water with potentially Harmful
Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens, as well as Sediments that may contain
such organisms, including promoting the adequate implementation of
recommendations developed by the Organization.
9 Parties shall endeavour to co-operate under
the auspices of the Organization to address threats and risks to sensitive,
vulnerable or threatened marine ecosystems and biodiversity in areas
beyond the limits of national jurisdiction in relation to Ballast
Water Management.