Mr Franck Lauwers is Programme Officer (Prevention) at the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in cooperation with the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP). Holding a master’s degree in civil engineering, geosciences and environment from France, he also obtained a certificate of advanced studies in environmental diplomacy from Switzerland in partnership with UNEP. Since joining REMPEC in 2015, Mr Lauwers has been responsible for a variety of technical, policy and regional regulatory duties related to marine environment protection issues, notably the prevention of pollution from ships, assisting the Head of Office of REMPEC on policy issues regarding regional activities in that field as well as providing technical assistance and expert advice to the competent national authorities of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, amongst others.