In the framework of the Review of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) of the Barcelona Convention, a conference took place from 17 to 18 February 2015, in Floriana, Malta.
Organised by the Government of Malta, in collaboration with the Coordination of the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) and Blue Plan (BP/RAC), the conference was attended by over 100 participants, including representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, stakeholders and institutions active in the protection of the Mediterranean environment and sustainable development, who discussed the draft revised strategy.
At the opening of the Meeting, Mr Gaetano Leone, Coordinator of UNEP/MAP, stated: “The Mediterranean faces emerging threats and continuing pressures. New tools and responses at our disposal like the ICZM Protocol, the ecosystem approach implementation and many complementary strategies and action plans, are conducive to a more effective strategic approach that includes environmental and socio-economic considerations for a full-fledged application of sustainable development in the Mediterranean region“.
Following the decision of the 18th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP 18), in December 2013 to review the MSSD, the revised Strategy will be submitted for endorsement to the 16th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission for the Sustainable Development (MCSD) in Morocco, from 9 to 11 June 2015, and finally for the approval of the Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in December 2015, in Greece (COP 19)*.
In accordance with the COP 18 decision, the revised Strategy is articulated with global, regional and MAP governance processes, integrating MAP’s priority fields of actions (such as, inter alia, Intergraded Coastal Zone Management) and relevant processes (such as, inter alia, the ecosystem approach and the Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan). It is being updated in light of the Rio+20 outcomes and builds on the ongoing global debate leading to the Post-2015 Agenda and the definition of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Furthermore, the vision and structure that was agreed to guide the formulation of the revised MSSD by the MCSD Steering Committee (SC) was articulated as follows: “A prosperous and peaceful Mediterranean region in which people enjoy a high quality of life and where sustainable development takes place within the carrying capacity of healthy ecosystems. This is achieved through common objectives, cooperation, solidarity, equity and participatory governance.”
The revised Strategy, also, includes a set of guiding principles, such as the importance of an intergraded approach, balanced development and openness to a plurality of future development models. Moreover, the “MSSD 2.0” focuses on the interface between environment and development, while it is structured around six thematic areas:
1. Seas and coasts; including efforts towards reaching Good Environmental Status of Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems.
2. Natural resources, rural development and food; including links not only to marine and coastal, but also terrestrial habitats, and to fresh waters
3. Climate; including the impacts of climate change on natural resources and socioeconomic sectors and possible responses.
4. Sustainable cities; including coastal urbanization and Integraded Coastal Zone Management, land transport, waste management, infrastructure, housing and energy.
5. Transition towards a green economy; including sustainable consumption and production.
6. Governance; including financing, Aarhus Convention – related issues such as public participation, and cooperation.
Participants worked in three groups, discussed the review process and the draft revised MSSD, and provided recommendations and comments on the 6 thematic areas in which the revised MSSD is structured (seas and coasts; natural resources; rural development and food; climate; sustainable cities; transition towards green economy; and, governance). Comments will continue to be received until early March 2015 and, as a result, a more advanced draft will be developed for further consideration.
During the conference, other MAP initiatives and strategic products that are being developed were also presented, including the Sustainable Consumption and Production Regional Action Plan, the Ecosystem Approach Implementation in the Mediterranean, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Regional Action Plan and the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework.
Note
*See. also, Dr. Atila Uras, Programme Officer, UNEP/MAP, The Road Towards a New Regional Sustainable Development Strategy in the Mediterranean, MEPIELAN E-Bulletin, Sunday, 21 December 2014, available at: http://www.mepielan-ebulletin.gr/default.aspx?pid=18&CategoryId=4&ArticleId=193&Article=The-Road-Towards-a-New-Regional-Sustainable-Development-Strategy-in-the-Mediterranean
Source: UNEP/MAP, Plan Bleu
For further information:
http://www.unepmap.org/index.php?module=news&action=detail&id=177
http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/Press_Release_Conf_Malta_MSSD_Rev_Feb2015_EN.pdf
About the author
MEPIELAN Centre
MEPIELAN Centre is an international research, training and educational centre established by Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos at the Panteion University of Athens in 2008.
Before its establishment as a University Centre, MEPIELAN operated as a successful international research, training and informational programme (2002-2007) under the scientific direction of Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos and the aegis of the Panteion University of Athens, supported by the Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP and the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works.
MEPIELAN Centre is an accredited UNEP/MAP PARTNER (since 2013), a Member of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD) (since 2016), and a Member of the Steering Committee of the MCSD (since 2019).
On 22 May 2022, MEPIELAN Centre proceeded to the development of MEPIELAN as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) for the more effective and efficient advancement of its Goals and Missions and furtherance of its activities. MEPIELAN Centre as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) is registered in Greek Law (Hellenic Business Registry, Reg. No. 16477300100) in accordance with Laws 4072/2012 & 4919/2022 as applicable
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