The Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD) held its 16th meeting from 9 to 11 June 2015, in Marrakesh, hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) and Plan Bleu.
The meeting endorsed the draft revised Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (2016-2025), prior to its submission for approval by the MAP Focal Points meeting in the Fall of 2015 and for the consideration and adoption by the 19th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols in February 2016.
“The decision by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention to revise the MSSD has come at a key moment for the future of the Mediterranean region: there is a dire need to enhance efforts to protect environment and preserve resources, to amplify action to revive and boost stagnant economies, and to steadily transit towards a green and blue economy”, said Gaetano Leone, Coordinator of the UNEP/MAP.
In accordance with the mandate given by COP 18, the MCSD reviewed the draft Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework (RCCAF) and acknowledged with appreciation its high quality and relevance and the need for such an instrument. The Commission emphasized the timeliness and significance of the Framework for the region and recommended submitting the Framework to COP 19 for its approval.
The Commission also welcomed the proposed SCP Action Plan for the Mediterranean, highlighting its importance for the region and for the transition towards a green economy in the Mediterranean, and supported its submission to MAP Focal Points and COP 19 for approval.
“Nurturing sustainable economic growth and transformation, promoting sustainable consumption and production, protecting our planet and combating climate change, building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions to achieve sustainable development, and delivering on a revitalized Global Partnership are themes that will be at the core of the discussion at the interactive dialogues during the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, said Leone. “We, the Mediterranean people, are part of this global endeavor, we share this global hope for a better and brighter future for all”, he added.
The MCSD also agreed on some measures for its own reform, focusing on modalities of work, composition, visibility and expected support. The MCSD members agreed on a proposal for a simplified peer review process on sustainable development in the Mediterranean countries.
