Barcelona Convention: Mediterranean Ministers discuss climate change impacts on the region

The Ministers of Environment of Albania, Italy, Montenegro as well as the Deputy Minister of Syria, have already confirmed their attendance at next week’s 15th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.

The meeting has been convened at the invitation of the Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Achim Steiner and will be hosted by the Spanish Minister for the Environment.  A Ministerial session is scheduled on the 16-17 January to discuss the Challenge of Climate Change in the Mediterranean.  

The 2008 Conference, which will be held in Almeria (Spain), 15-18th January, is also expected to adopt a series of decisions, including the new Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and will consider the adoption of the Almeria Ministerial Declaration setting up the MAP future initiatives in the field of climate change.  

Jointly organised by UNEP/MAP and the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, the Conference will bring together Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for the environment and development in 21 Mediterranean countries and the European Community.

The Conference will also assess the activities of the MAP over the 2006–2007 biennium and decide upon actions to be implemented in 2008–2009 in the fields of protecting the environment while promoting sustainable development in the region, as well as the related budget.

Since the set up of the Mediterranean Action Plan in 1975 and the entry into force of the Barcelona Convention in 1976, Ministers and high-ranking representatives from the 21 Contracting Parties and the European Community are invited to attend this important meeting, which is held every two years in one of the Mediterranean countries parties to the Barcelona Convention.