Regional Activity Centre of Mediterranean Action Plan

In 1975, the Mediterranean States and the European Community approved the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) as an institutional framework for cooperation to address the common challenges of environmental degradation. Then, in 1976, the countries bordering the Mediterranean and the European community adopted the Barcelona Convention to protect the maritime environment and its coastal zones. The necessity to address collectively development and environment in order to build a sustainable future for the Mediterranean is already fully integrated by signatory countries.

The 22 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention are: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro, Syrian Arab Republic , Slovenia, Tunisia, Türkiye and the European Union.

The Contracting Parties should take all appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and its Protocols in force to which they are Parties to prevent, reduce, combat and as far as possible eliminate pollution in the Mediterranean Sea Area and to protect and enhance the marine environment in that area with a view to contributing to its sustainable development. They also commit to implement the Mediterranean Action Plan and furthermore to protect the marine environment and the natural resources of the Mediterranean, meeting the needs of present and future generations in an equitable and fair manner.

The Contracting Parties will decide on the policies, strategies, budget and work programme of the WFP at Ministerial Meetings held every two years. They appoint Focal Points who review progress and ensure implementation of recommendations at national level.

Plan Bleu is one the Regional Activity Centres of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), put in place by France since 1977.