(Communicated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection )
An Israeli delegation headed by Environmental Protection Minister Gideon Ezra and with the participation of Valerie Brachya, Senior Deputy Director for Policy, took part in the 15th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, convened in Almeria, Spain in January 15-18, 2008.
Jointly organized by UNEP/MAP and the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, the Conference brought together ministers and senior officials responsible for the environment and development in 21 Mediterranean countries and the European Community.
Since the establishment 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 have been invited to attend meeting, which is held every two years in one of the Mediterranean countries parties to the Barcelona Convention.
One of the primary objectives of the January 2008 meeting was to recommend the adoption of a new Integrated Mediterranean Coastal Area Management Protocol (ICZM Protocol). Efforts to draft this seventh protocol to the Barcelona Convention have been ongoing for several years, with the Israeli team taking an important and leading part in the process. The process took account of planning policy and national legislation including the Israel Law on the Protection of the Coastal Environment and the National Master Plan for the Mediterranean Coasts.
The main aim of the protocol is to assure that integrated coastal zone management will take place along the entire Mediterranean coast, encompassing both sea and coast. Integrated management relates to ecological, economic and land use features which are specific to each region. In addition, the protocol relates to the interrelations among the states and encourages the transfer of information and cooperation in different areas.
Israel's Law for the Protection of the Coastal Environment, which was enacted in 2004, aims to protect the coastal environment and its natural treasures. Adoption of the ICZM Protocol will give added impetus to Israel's efforts to protect both coast and sea. Furthermore, adoption of the protocol by Mediterranean states will assure improved management of the coastal and marine environment in other countries, thereby reducing adverse external impacts on Israel.
More on the Mediterranean Action Plan
The Mediterranean Action Plan was adopted by 16 Mediterranean countries and the European Community in 1975 as the first Regional Seas Programme under UNEP's umbrella. Today MAP involves 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean as well as the European Community. While the original focus of UNEP/MAP was marine pollution, its field of expertise has developed over the years to incorporate issues such as biodiversity, maritime traffic, sustainable development and coastal management.
In 1976 the parties to the MAP adopted the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona Convention). Six protocols addressing specific aspects of Mediterranean environmental conservation complete the MAP legal framework and require member states to take the necessary measures to reduce the pollution of the sea and protect the marine environment. Israel has been an active member of the organization since its establishment in 1975.
Israel's representatives participate in all meetings and are active partners in formulating protocols aimed at improving the Mediterranean Sea environment. Israel has been invited to participate in the MAP Bureau in the coming two years.