Press release - The MedProgramme: a new push to depollute the Mediterranean Sea and coast and underpin ecosystem integrity

Athens, 24 June 2020—The Mediterranean Action Plan of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP) announces the “Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security”—a 43 million USD endeavour funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim of reducing major environmental stresses, strengthening climate resilience and water security, and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations in the Mediterranean region.

The MedProgramme –an assortment of seven child projects—will deploy more than 100 coordinated actions at regional and national levels over the next 5 years (2020-2024). This is expected to lead, among other positive impacts, to the disposal of 3,250 tons of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and of fifty (50) tons of Mercury, as well as the prevention of the use of 1,309 tons of POPs per year, an increase in volumes of water treatments, and improvements in coastal and water management. Read more