MEPIELAN participates in the Meeting of the MAP Focal Points (Athens, Greece 10-13 September 2019)

MEPIELAN Centre, represented by its Director, Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos, participated in the MAP Focal Points Meeting, held in Athens on 10-13 September 2019, to examine the progress on activities carried out during the 2018-2019 biennium, the Programme of Work for the next two years (2019-2020) and several draft decisions to be submitted for adoption to the 21st Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP21, 2-5 December 2019, Naples, Italy). Most of the Contracting Parties (21 Mediterranean States and the European Union) were represented. Partners of UNEP/MAP, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, convention secretariats and intergovernmental organizations attend the meeting as observers.

During four days of deliberations (10-13 September 2019), MAP Focal Points examined a host of draft decisions pertaining to pollution prevention and reduction, marine biodiversity and the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region. They also discussed a draft road map for the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for Sulphur Oxides (SOx) under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The UNEP/MAP strategic orientations were also in focus at the meeting as Focal Points discussed a roadmap for the preparation of the Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2027). The process will be driven by the Contracting Parties and will involve consultations with stakeholders.