The UNEP/MAP–Barcelona Convention Secretariat Coordinator Gaetano Leone took part in the Marine Regions Forum on 30 September-2 October 2019 in Berlin, Germany. The Coordinator also participated in the 21st Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans organized by UNEP on 3-5 October 2019 that also took place in the German capital.
Under the theme of “Achieving a healthy ocean – Regional ocean governance beyond 2020”, the Marine Regions Forum provided a unique space for decision-makers, scientists and civil-society actors from many parts of the globe to discuss and showcase impactful collaborative solutions for ocean health.
The Marine Regions Forum is a contribution to the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG), a collaborative initiative between scientific institutions and UNEP. In addition to presenting the UNEP/MAP experience and progress in supporting the implementation of the Barcelona Convention, the Coordinator facilitated discussions on implementing regional marine litter action plans, advancing implementation of SDG14 through ecosystem-based management and engaging marine regions in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
During the 21st Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Mr. Leone facilitated the session entitled “Regional Seas input to the June 2020 UN Ocean Conference” and presented several achievements of the UNEP/MAP—Barcelona Convention system, including the Knowledge Management Strategy developed in the context of the MedProgramme and the methodologies devised for Mediterranean ecosystems assessment.
Executive Director Inger Andersen, who attended the meetings of the UNEP-administered Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, underscored the importance of the work being delivered by Regional Seas as part of the normative mandate of the UNEP.
