1 Parties undertake, directly or through the Organization
and other international bodies, as appropriate, in respect of the
control and management of ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, to provide
support for those Parties which request technical assistance:
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(a) to train personnel;
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(b) to ensure the availability of relevant technology,
equipment and facilities;
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(c) to initiate joint research and development
programmes; and
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(d) to undertake other action aimed at the effective
implementation of this Convention and of guidance developed by the
Organization related thereto.
2 Parties undertake to co-operate actively, subject
to their national laws, regulations and policies, in the transfer
of technology in respect of the control and management of ships' Ballast
Water and Sediments.
3 In order to further the objectives of this Convention,
Parties with common interests to protect the environment, human health,
property and resources in a given geographical area, in particular,
those Parties bordering enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, shall endeavour,
taking into account characteristic regional features, to enhance regional
co-operation, including through the conclusion of regional agreements
consistent with this Convention. Parties shall seek to cooperate with
the Parties to regional agreements to develop harmonized procedures.