The Parties to the present Protocol,

Being Parties to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973,

Recognizing the need to prevent and control air pollution from ships,

Recalling Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which calls for the application of a precautionary approach,

Considering that this objective could best be achieved by the conclusion of a Protocol of 1997 to amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Instrument to be amended

The instrument which the present Protocol amends is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (hereinafter referred to as the ''Convention'').