Fourteen thematic decisions related to pollution and marine litter, biodiversity and marine protected areas, blue economy and integrated coastal zone management were adopted by the Contracting Parties, including a groundbreaking roadmap for the proposal of a possible designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides. The Contracting Parties adopted the Naples Ministerial Declaration that “encapsulates an eloquent expression of political support to the UNEP/MAP—Barcelona Convention system’s role, achievements and plans in responding to the pressing environmental challenges facing the Mediterranean region” as stated by the UNEP/MAP Coordinator Mr. Gaetano Leone. COP 21 also marked the starting point of a new biennium that will focus on implementation and on the preparation of new strategic documents to guide our work in the future, including an action-oriented Medium-Term Strategy for the 2022-2027 period.

The Commission, in compliance with its Rules of Procedure elected its new Steering Committee (a President, five Vice-Presidents and a Rapporteur) as follows: President: Montenegro (Ms. Ivana Stojanovic); Vice-President: Italy (pending nomination); Vice-President: Morocco (Mr. Mohammed Maktit); Vice-President: Turkey (pending nomination); Vice-President: UCLG (Local Authorities Group) Mr. Mohamed Boussraoui; Vice-President: UfM (Intergovernmental Organizations Group) Ms. Alessandra Sensi; Rapporteur: MEPIELAN (Scientific Community Group), Mr. Evangelos Raftopoulos.

The MCSD Meeting discussed the Progress Report of the Work done after the 17th Meeting of the MCSD (Simplified Peer Review Mechanism (SIMPEER), Mediterranean Sustainability Dashboard, Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) Flagship Initiatives, the 2019 State of the Environment and Development Report and MED2050 Foresight Study) and the Members provided positive impact. It also discussed the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Sustainable Development Goals and the MSSD, which was organized in two levels. First, by reflecting most recent Global and Regional Processes, where the three UN Regional Commissions that cover the Mediterranean Basin (UN-ECA, UN-ECE, UN-ESCWA) presented the progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda at the regional level. The MCSD, for the first time, interacted with them, identifying the need for establishing with them an extensive institutional relationship focused on the promotion of the MAP-Barcelona Convention system among their Member States and on the need for concrete action to integrate sustainability considerations at the local level, for increasing transboundary cooperation, as well as for synergies between environmental and socio-economic targets. Second, by implementing SDGs and the MSSD at the National Level, where the Contracting Parties participating in the SIMPEER activity and/or contributing to the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process at the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) shared their experiences. It was agreed that the common challenges experienced by the Contracting Parties at this level were, mainly, the need to the enhanced engagement of stakeholders and civil society in the governance of the national implementation of SDGs and the need for capacity building.

The Meeting further discussed the MSSD Good Practices, Exchange of Experiences and Challenges. It focused on the MSSD Flagship Initiatives and welcomed the Concept Notes drafted by COMPSUD, MIO-ECSDE, MEPIELAN Centre and the Secretariat (SCP/RAC) to put in motion four MSSD Flagship Initiatives addressing challenges and gaps indicated by the MSSD and strengthening cooperation opportunities.