Yesterday, 7 February, a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed between the  Ramsar Convention, represented by the Secretary General of the Convention, Dr Peter Bridgewater and  the Convention for the protection of the marine environment and the coastal region of the Mediterranean (the Barcelona Convention), represented  by the Coordinator of the Convention’s Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP MAP), Mr Paul Mifsud.

The signing took place in the margins of the ninth Special Session of UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial  Environment Forum.  The MoC will focus o­n promoting synergies between the agreements, especially where the MedWet initiative can also play a role.  Prospects for collaboration among  the Coordination Unit of MedWet and the Barcelona Convention Secretariat are enhanced by the fact that both are located in Athens.

While covering all aspects of the two Convention’s activities, the agreement focuses particularly on protected areas which have wetland components, implementing integrated coastal management, especially via the actions of the Blue Plan/Plan Bleu, as well as activities regarding Communication, education and public awareness.

The Secretary General of the Ramsar Conventionagreed with the Coordinator of UNEP MAP that “while the signature is nice occasion – now we need to see some o­n-ground results!!”

Source: Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Dr Peter Bridgewater

Updated on 2/9/2006 2:18:19 PM.