Nice, 11 June 2025 — The EU-funded Bolstering Mediterranean Biodiversity and Marine and Coastal Protected Areas for Nature Project (SEMPA Project) was presented during a side event at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), marking the launch of the second phase of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) Survey Initiative (ASI-II).
Organized by the ACCOBAMS Permanent Secretariat, the ASI-II launch event celebrated the achievements of the first phase of the ASI (2018–2019), which established a coordinated, basin-wide monitoring system for cetacean populations in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The first phase generated an unprecedented dataset on marine megafauna and anthropogenic pressures.
The UNEP/MAP Coordinator delivered a speech celebrating the ASI and regional cooperation, highlighting the initiative’s contribution to the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) under the Ecosystem Approach. She welcomed the launch of ASI-II and reaffirmed UNEP/MAP’s steadfast commitment to working closely with ACCOBAMS, and to supporting Contracting Parties as they pursue their ecological objectives.
The SEMPA Project Manager presented the overall structure of the project and its objectives, highlighting its strategic alignment with ASI-II and emphasizing strong synergies in marine biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Looking ahead, ASI-II is set to begin a new series of boat-based and aerial surveys in 2026. In this context, the SEMPA Project presentation underscored opportunities for collaboration, particularly through SEMPA’s Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) component. Under this component, the seven SEMPA beneficiary countries will conduct marine biodiversity surveys—including on cetaceans—through 2025–2027, supporting IMAP Ecological Objective 1.
The event served as a valuable platform to raise awareness of the SEMPA Project within the Mediterranean cetacean conservation community and reinforce regional partnerships focused on strengthening marine protected area networks and biodiversity monitoring.
For more information contact: marc.attallah(at)un.org
