Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031)

About the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031)

The Mediterranean Strategy for the Prevention of, Preparedness, and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2022-2031) was adopted by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, in 2021 (Decision IG.25/16).

The vision of the Mediterranean  Strategy (2022-2031) is

"A clean and healthy Mediterranean marine and coastal environment with a sustainable and pollution free maritime sector, supported by a rigorous enforcement system and strengthened multi-sectoral cooperation, for the benefit of present and future generations"

Objectives of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031)

The Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) sets seven Common Strategic Objectives (CSOs), which apply to the Mediterranean region as a whole, and Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, alongside the various organisations and institutions of the Mediterranean, each have a role to play in achieving these objectives:

  • CSO 1 - Prevent, prepare for, and respond to operational, illegal and accidental oil and HNS pollution from ships
  • CSO 2 - Promote and support the development and implementation of innovative global solutions to mitigate and respond to climate change
  • CSO 3 - Reduce and monitor air emissions from ships to a level that is not harmful to the marine environment, or the health of the coastal population of the Mediterranean
  • CSO 4 - Prevent and reduce litter (in particular plastic) entering the marine environment from ships, in order to limit the environmental, health, and socio-economic impact of marine litter in the Mediterranean
  • CSO 5 - Eliminate the introduction of non-indigenous species by shipping activities
  • CSO 6 - Achieve a well-managed safe and pollution free Mediterranean, with integrated marine spatial planning and designation of special areas, where shipping activity has a limited impact upon the marine environment
  • CSO 7 - Identify and understand collectively emerging issues related to pollution from ships in the Mediterranean, and define required actions to address issues identified

Action Plan

The Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) is supported by an Action Plan for the Implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031), which sets out the specific actions required under each CSO. The actions are grouped by ‘areas of influence’ (People, institutions, infrastructure; and information and knowledge sharing) and are guided by supporting objectives for each area of influence.

Practical arrangements for the management and implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031)

To meet the CSOs of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) that are common for all stakeholders in the Mediterranean, a biennial meeting will be organised on the first year of each biennium, in order to:

  • Report and assess the progress made in the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031);
  • Define priority actions and propose related activities for the following biennium; and
  • Define roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the proposed activities and establish operational and strategic synergies, through specific partnership agreements, if required, by coordinating parallel initiatives and processes to ensure the capitalisation of past and ongoing efforts, with a view to increasing the effectiveness of the resources and expertise mobilised to meet the CSOs of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031).

Mid-term review and evaluation

The implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) will be regularly monitored through a consultative process with Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and relevant regional and international organizations.

Following a period of five (5) years, the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) and its Action Plan will be reviewed based on an analysis of the progress of its implementation and on the outcome of discussions on emerging issues. The need to update and revise the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) and its Action Plan will be assessed, in 2026, with a view to potentially adopt a revised strategy in 2027. The review will take into consideration the development of the forthcoming UNEP/MAP Mid-Term Strategy (2028–2032), alongside Contracting Party reporting on the status of implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy (2022-2031) and its Action Plan.

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