Artikel 19

1. The Organization shall be responsible for Secretariat duties in relation to this Protocol. Any Contracting Party to this Protocol not being a member of this Organization shall make an appropriate contribution to the expenses incurred by the Organization in performing these duties.
2. Secretariat duties necessary for the administration of this Protocol include:
.1 convening Meetings of Contracting Parties once per year, unless otherwise decided by Contracting Parties, and Special Meetings of Contracting Parties at any time on the request of two-thirds of the Contracting Parties;
.2 providing advice on request on the implementation of this Protocol and on guidance and procedures developed thereunder;
.3 considering enquiries by, and information from Contracting Parties, consulting with them and with the competent international organizations, and providing recommendations to Contracting Parties on questions related to, but not specifically covered by, this Protocol;
.4 preparing and assisting, in consultation with Contracting Parties and the competent international organizations, in the development and implementation of procedures referred to in article 18.6.;
.5 conveying to the Contracting Parties concerned all notifications received by the Organization in accordance with this Protocol; and
.6 preparing, every two years, a budget and financial account for the administration of this Protocol which shall be distributed to all Contracting Parties.
3. The Organization shall, subject to the availability of adequate resources, in addition to the requirements set out in article 13.2.3.:
.1 collaborate in assessments of the state of the marine environment; and
.2 co-operate with competent international organizations concerned with the prevention and control of pollution.