THE PIONEERING ICZM PROTOCOL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN IS RAISING INTEREST IN OTHER REGIONS

Interest in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Protocol and possible cooperation in developing similar tools was recently expressed by representatives of the Benguela Current Convention, the Caspian Sea Action Plan and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Action Plan. The surge in interest confirms the importance of what the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention accomplished  by signing the ICZM Protocol in 2008 in Madrid. As the first regional legally binding instrument of its kind, the ICZM Protocol makes the Mediterranean a world leading region when it comes to coastal management.  PAP/RAC stands ready to share its experience and provide support to other regions of the world that want to undertake similar initiatives.

 

On 9 October 2019, PAP/RAC staff hosted two national representatives from Namibia and from Angola, parties to the Benguela Current Convention (BCC). The meeting participants exchanged opinions and experiences relating to the activities and projects they are implementing, with particular reference to Marine Spatial Planning, ICZM, Ecosystem Approach , and climate variability and change issues. Experience and opportunities for participation in distance learning programmes such as MedOpen was shared with the BCC representatives.