SECTION 12

Institutional arrangements (1) Parties designate the Organization, subject to its agreement and the availability of adequate resources to sustain the activity, to perform the following functions and activities: (a) information services: (i) to receive, collate and disseminate on request the information provided by Parties (see, for example, articles 5(2) and (3), 6(3) and 10) and relevant information provided by other sources; and (ii) to provide assistance in identifying sources of provisional financing of costs (see, for example, article 7(2)); (b) education and training: (i) to promote training in the field of oil pollution preparedness and response (see, for example, article 9); and (ii) to promote the holding of international symposia (see, for example, article 8(3)); (c) technical services: (i) to facilitate co-operation in research and development (see, for example, articles 8(1), (2) and (4) and 9(1)(d)); (ii) to provide advice to States establishing national or regional response capabilities; and (iii) to analyse the information provided by Parties (see, for example, articles 5(2) and (3), 6(3) and 8(1)) and relevant information provided by other sources and provide advice or information to States; (d) technical assistance: (i) to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to States establishing national or regional response capabilities; and (ii) to facilitate the provision of technical assistance and advice, upon the request of States faced with major oil pollution incidents. (2) In carrying out the activities specified in this article, the Organization shall endeavour to strengthen the ability of States individually or through regional arrangements to prepare for and combat oil pollution incidents, drawing upon the experience of States, regional agreements and industry arrangements and paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries. (3) The provisions of this article shall be implemented in accordance with a programme developed and kept under review by the Organization.