28-02-2013

A study aimed to help battle pollution of the Mediterranean Sea has been launched by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretariat. The results and findings of the study will contribute to the comprehensive assessment of the current situation of depollution in the Mediterranean.

The study, entitled “Update priority investment portfolio for protecting the Mediterranean Sea from Pollution” and to be completed by the end of this year, aims to update investment needs towards pollution reduction targets for the period 2020-2025. It will complement two other studies conducted in parallel by the United Nations Environment Programme – Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP-MAP) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) with the aim of evaluating the implementation of depollution projects in the Mediterranean. They will provide recommendations on the way forward, taking into account the need for coherence, synergy and joint effective action among different actors and their respective programmes and initiatives in this field. The outputs of the three studies will contribute to revise the UNEP-MAP Depollution Strategic Action Programme and National Action Plans as well as to define the second phase of H2020 initiative.

The launching workshop, held on 22 February in Barcelona, was the occasion to present the preliminary findings of the UfM’s study, as well as the main activities planned until next autumn. It also gave the opportunity to discuss countries’ involvement and collect information from relevant water and environment stakeholders.

The workshop brought together coordinating partners, namely the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme – Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP-MAP), the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as regional Institutions and IFIs involved in the Depollution of the Mediterranean agenda.

Source: EU Neighbourhood Info Centre