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The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has developed this National Spill Contingency Plan (NATPLAN) as part of its commitment to protecting our valuable natural resources and environment from the threat of pollution incidents. This plan has been developed to reflect the essential steps and preventive measures, necessary to initiate, conduct and terminate an emergency spill response on, or into the navigable waters of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, on the adjoining shorelines, the waters of the contiguous zone or into waters of the exclusive economic zone.

The term ‘asbestos’ is used to describe a group of naturally occurring minerals composed of long, thin fibres and fibre bundles. The mineral has high tensile strength, good insulating properties and is a fire retardant. However, medical information has indicated that inhalation of asbestos fibres may result in serious health issues including cancers in humans

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are among the most vulnerable states due to limited land availability, fragile ecosystems, limited water resources, increasing population pressures, and limited buffering capacities. Solid and hazardous waste, including unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (uPOPs) are a major threat to sustainable development in PICs because of poor waste management practices that have a direct influence over peoples' lives.

Contracting Parties to the Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and the Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region (Waigani Convention) met for their Fifth Meeting in Madang, Papua New Guinea, on 3 September 2010.