Because the environmental problems are international in nature - the environment knows no borders - there is a need for an international environmental policy.
There are a number of cooperation agreements between Belgium and our neighbouring countries at the level of the North Sea.
The countries bordering the North Atlantic Ocean cooperate within the OSPAR Convention.
The global marine environmental policy is formulated by the United Nations culminating in a number of treaties, agreements or processes that are often monitored by the UN or "satellite organisations".
The Marine Environment service of the FOD Public health, Food chain safety and Environment is actively involved in the implementation of some of these agreements that are also of great importance to the protection of the marine environment: the Commission for the protection of the marine biodiversity in the Antarctic (CCAMLR) and the Antarctic Treaty.