11^th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD)

24-26 May, Nicosia, Cyprus

Draft conclusions

1. Following adoption of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) at Portoroz in November 2005, the MCSD recognized that implementation of the MSSD, especially at country level, was the main challenge to be addressed by the Commission, and that MAP components should act as facilitators of that process.

2. The Commission acknowledged that synergies should be promoted with existing institutions, mechanisms and initiatives, taking advantage of the work already done with respect to sustainable development issues.

3. The Commission acknowledged the work carried out by the MAP components, in particular the valuable role played by Blue Plan/RAC with regard to the implementation of the MCSD programme of work, welcomed the proposal by the Centre to undertake missions to countries to support MSSD implementation, and proposed the formulation of terms of reference to define those activities that should be undertaken by the Centre and those that it should oversee.

4. When implementing the MSSD, the MCSD stressed that it was important to secure synergies with and draw inspiration from relevant regional and subregional initiatives, for example the Arab Regional Initiative for Sustainable Development, the European Union’s Sustainable Development Strategy and NEPAD.

5. In order to ensure the effective implementation of the MSSD, the Commission stressed the need to: improve information management; build capacity; promote education for sustainable development; encourage the exchange of experiences; and conduct awareness campaigns, targeting different audiences and taking into account the diversity of languages around the Mediterranean.

6. The MCSD urged that the Mediterranean should have a clear profile and identity in order to enhance its visibility at international level.

7. Convinced that the expert groups set up to address MSSD priorities should respect broad geographical and stakeholder representation, the Commission acknowledged the need in certain countries to address the lack of expertise, and to ensure the participation of civil society and local actors in such groups.

8. While commending the efforts made by countries in developing National Strategies for Sustainable Development (NSSDs), the Commission recognized that countries were facing common difficulties such as lack of funding and limited involvement of ministries other than the Ministry of the Environment, and expressed the firmly held view that Ministries of Finance and economic institutions should mainstream sustainable development in policies and that all stakeholders should participate fully in the process.

9. Members of the MCSD welcomed the support given by Italy and Monaco to Egypt, Morocco, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Serbia and Montenegro for the development of their NSSDs, as well as that offered by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, through its Azahar Programme, to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Tunisia for the same purpose.

10. Expressing its appreciation of the Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area, the Commission stressed the need for its results to be widely disseminated in all countries concerned.

11. Emphasizing that the findings of the SIA should be taken into consideration in the current negotiation process concerning the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) and the Neighbourhood Policy, the Commission insisted on the need to strengthen North/South and South/South development and cooperation policies.

12. Underscoring the importance of pursuing efforts towards Euro-Mediterranean integration, the MCSD noted the potential impact of trade liberalization on Mediterranean countries and the serious concerns raised by the NGO community regarding possible negative consequences.

13. The Commission acknowledged the role of environmental legislation and mitigating measures in offsetting the negative social and environmental impact of free trade, and stressed the need to pay particular attention to tax reform, and the potential threat to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the agricultural sector.

14. Noting the EMP initiative “Horizon 2020”, welcoming the participatory process that had led to it, and acknowledging the solid base provided by MEDPOL’s achievements in the reduction of land-based pollution, the Commission insisted on the vital synergy between MAP and EMP in working towards the initiative’s goals.

15. The MCSD recalled that the Contracting Parties, international bodies, the private sector and NGOs should further develop cooperation with a view to finding sustainable development solutions and mobilize appropriate resources to enhance the quality of life in the Mediterranean region.

16. Acknowledging the importance of raising the business sector’s awareness of the MSSD, the Commission welcomed initiatives to effectively involve that sector in the implementation process.

17. Recognizing the valuable contribution of NGOs to the activities of the MCSD and acknowledging them as a source of expertise and experience, the Commission called for the active participation of NGOs in meetings to continue to be supported, with the provision of financial assistance wherever possible.