PAP co-operates with a large number of organisations in the UN system (UNEP, FAO, IMO, UNESCO, IOC, WHO, IAEA, WTO, UNDP), financial institutions (World Bank, European Investment Bank), other international organisations (European Union, Council of Europe, IUCN, etc.), as well as international institutions and consultancy companies. PAP is also successful in attracting funds from other sources outside UNEP/MAP which are used for the implementation of various activities in the Mediterranean region.

The principal activity of PAP is Integrated Coastal and Marine Areas Management (ICAM) within which, over the past ten years, a clear methodological approach has been defined, and a large number of plans, projects and studies prepared. The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) strives to protect the environment and to foster development in the Mediterranean Basin. It was adopted in Barcelona, Spain in 1975 by 16 Mediterranean States and the EC, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its legal framework comprises the Barcelona Convention adopted in 1976 and revised in 1995, and six Protocols covering specific aspects of environmental protection.

Since its adoption by all Mediterranean states and the EC, the Action Plan has served as the basis for the development of a comprehensive, environment and development programme in the region involving the Mediterranean coastal states, specialised organisations of the United Nations system, Intergovernmental and Non-governmental Programmes and Organisations. MAP covers coastal zone management, pollution assessment and control, protection of ecosystems and preservation of biodiversity. In 1995, it was revised to become more action-oriented and an instrument for sustainable development in the region.

MAP is co-ordinated by the Barcelona Convention Secretariat, the Co-ordinating Unit (MEDU), which has been based in Athens, Greece since 1982. Six Regional Activity Centres (RACs), and the MEDPOL Programme are responsible for the implementation of respective components of MAP. The Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (the Mediterranean States and the European Union) meet every two years on a Ministerial level, to deliberate on general policy, strategy and political issues relevant to their co-operation as well as to decide on MAP's programme and budget.

The Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP) was established in 1990 in response to the need for a unified approach to resolving the complex environmental problems of the Mediterranean region.  METAP provides technical assistance to the Mediterranean countries to address national priorities and work together towards a sustainable future for the region.

METAP is designed as a programme for assistance to the countries of the Mediterranean region in response to increasingly complex environmental problems. With the METAP Partners - The European Commission (EC), The European Investment Bank (EIB), The UNDP, and The World Bank - METAP provides support in designing environmental projects, strengthening environmental management capacity, establishing environmentally sound policies and mobilising resources to finance environmental investment.

METAP has become a practical model for sustainable development by adopting a participatory approach. By engaging regional, national and local communities, private and non-private entities, government and non-government representatives and civil society, METAP is able to contribute significantly to bring together the people of the Mediterranean region to cope with and reduce the effects of environmental degradation.

Environmental degradation in the Mediterranean basin has reached serious levels in recent years, and is likely to worsen if remedial and preventative programmes are not developed and implemented. Mediterranean countries are determined to take action to achieve conditions compatible with sustainable development to secure a better quality of life for its citizens.[1]

There are two major initiatives in the Adriatic Sea area that are of a very recent origin. The first one is The Stability Pact aimed at stabilising the countries that have been involved in the conflict of recent years. At the conference in Brussels held in april 2000  it was decided that as one of the priority projects a Master plan of the Adriatic would be made. One million Euros has been pledged and preparatory activities gave already started.

The second initiative is the Ancona Charter adopted at a conference in Ancona in May 2000, in the presence of the highest representatives of EU and Adriatic and Ionian countries. One of the five subjects the initiative will deal with is the environment and natural resources. There, ICM acts very prominently. The centre for this component will be in Split, probably within PAP/RAC. [2]
 

• There is a strong need for new (ICZM) laws or amendments of existing laws related to sustainable development in the coastal zone.
• There are insufficient instruments to secure public participation in the decision-making process focussed on coastal zone management.
• In many countries there is a poor inter-departmental co-ordination in the coastal zone both governmental and non-governmental.
• Professional knowledge and skills are basically limited or maybe even lacking.
• There is a lack of co-ordination and co-operation between the different countries at the regional level and between the different public agencies at the national levels, a complex bureaucracy and a scarcity of funds.

References

www.unepmap.org 

Information provided by Mr Ivica Trumbic, director of PAP/RAC. Prepared by Martijn Onderstal at EUCC International Secretariat

© EUCC, 2001