Les correspondants du PNUE / PAM examinent les mesures nécessaires pour encourager la mise en application de la Convention de Barcelone et de ses protocoles (seulement en anglais) – 10/09/2019

    Les correspondants du PNUE / PAM examinent les mesures nécessaires pour encourager la mise en application de la Convention de Barcelone et de ses protocoles (seulement en anglais)

    • Representatives of Mediterranean States and the European Union discussed new measures aimed at curbing pollution, protecting biodiversity and stimulating blue growth in the Mediterranean region. 

    • Decisions examined by the Focal Points of UNEP/MAP are crucial to the achievement of Good Environmental Status in the Mediterranean. 

    • The 21st Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (COP21 Barcelona Convention) will consider the decisions for adoption on 2-5 December 2019 in Naples, Italy.

    Athens, 13 September 2019 – Focal Points of the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) met in Athens on 10-13 September 2019 to examine the progress on activities carried out during the 2018-2019 biennium, the Programme of Work for the next two years (2019-2020) and several draft decisions to be submitted for adoption to the 21st Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP21, 2-5 December 2019, Naples, Italy).

    Most of the Contracting Parties (21 Mediterranean States and the European Union) were represented at the four-day Focal Points meeting, which is part of the intergovernmental process coordinated by UNEP/MAP under the Barcelona Convention. Focal Points for the Contracting Parties meet every two years to examine technical and financial aspects of draft decisions prior to their submission for adoption by the COP, the supreme governing body of the Convention. Partners of UNEP/MAP, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, convention secretariats and intergovernmental organizations attend the meeting as observers.

    The UNEP/MAP Focal Points meeting was opened on 10 September 2019 by Ms. Klodiana Marika of Albania, President of the Bureau of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, Mr. Gaetano Leone, Coordinator of the Mediterranean Action Plan and Mr. Konstantin Aravossis, Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water within the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy. In his statement, Mr. Leone welcomed the continued support of the Contracting Parties to the implementation of the UNEP/MAP medium-term strategy against a background of global environmental degradation, to which the Mediterranean region is not immune.

    During four days of deliberations (10-13 September 2019), MAP Focal Points examined a host of draft decisions pertaining to pollution prevention and reduction; marine biodiversity and the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region. To know more about the deliberations of the MAP Focal Points Meeting, please read the Press release.

    The UNEP/MAP strategic orientations were also in focus at the meeting as Focal Points discussed a roadmap for the preparation of the Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2027). The process will be driven by the Contracting Parties and will involve consultations with stakeholders.

    In addition to considering the draft decisions for adoption, COP21 (Naples, Italy, 2-5 December 2019) will host ministerial-level discussions with the aim of highlighting linkages between global processes and regional developments in the Mediterranean. The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy for the Ocean, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, and other distinguished guests are expected to take part in the high-level session.

    COP21 will mark an important milestone in the Mediterranean environmental governance process that UNEP/MAP continues to successfully coordinate despite disparities in socio-economic contexts and capacities among the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention. 

    For more information visit the Website of the UNEP/MAP—Barcelona Convention Secretariat.

    Source: UNEP/MAP—Barcelona Convention Secretariat