Malek Smaoui holds a BSc from the Merchant Marine School in Sousse, Tunisia (1984), and an MBA in Maritime Affairs from Bordeaux, France (1992).
With 40 years of experience in marine pollution and environmental protection. He has held key positions since 1985 in Tunisia's Ministries of Transport and Environment. He oversaw significant marine environmental developments at national and north African level as well as expert within the work of UNEP/MAP.
In 2015, Malek joined the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) as an Programme Officer (OPRC). In this role, he has been instrumental in assisting the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in implementing Preparedness and Response international Oil and HNS conventions, as well as the ‘2002 Prevention and Emergency Protocol’ and the ‘1994 Offshore Protocol ‘ of the Barcelona Convention. His responsibilities also include coordinating responses to marine pollution emergencies.
In his work, Mr. Smaoui coordinates REMPEC’s activities closely with the IMO, United Nations Environment Programme – Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Additionally, he participates in the achievement of joint initiatives and actions with regional agreements fostering collaboration on shared priorities to strengthen efforts in key areas of the regions’ mutual interest.