- The Barcelona Convention and the 15th COP
- Main objectives for the 15th COP
- Tentative Programme
- Formal and hospitality events
- Side events and exhibition area
The Barcelona Convention and the 15th COP
The “Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean”, commonly known as the Barcelona Convention, was adopted at the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries of the Coastal States in February 1976, held in Barcelona, now known as the “Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution” where two Protocols signed by 14 States and the European Union were also adopted.
The Convention entered into force on 12 February 1978, thereby constituting the governing instrument for the Mediterranean Action Plan, the first Regional Marine Convention approved within the framework of the United Nations. At present, 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the European Community are Contracting Parties.
In June 1995, the Contracting Parties to the Convention met again in Barcelona to revise its applications and amend some of its articles and its name. They also passed Phase II of the Mediterranean Action Plan and a new Protocol, as well as creating the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development. The Convention amendments entered into force in July 2004, and the name was officially changed to the “Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean”.
At the 14th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, held in Portoroz (Slovenia) in November 2005, the representative from the Kingdom of Spain proposed holding the next Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties in Spain, and the Parties unanimously accepted this proposal. The Meeting would take place in Almeria and the date was tentatively set for December 2007. In the end, in order to coordinate the schedule with other environmental events and meetings, it has been agreed to hold this meeting from 15 to 18 January 2008 in Almeria.
Spain is honoured to host the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention once again, as no meetings have been held here since 1995, and Spain feels particularly involved in this Convention, not only because of its role as a depository country, but also because of the special relations it has with all the countries in the Mediterranean Basin. The objectives and commitments acquired within the framework of this Convention and its Protocols are also considered to be vitally important, due to this sea’s special preservation value and the effects that the economic activities that take place on its coastline and offshore may have.
Main objectives for the 15th COP
The 15th Meeting of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention is expected to be highly important and it will be particularly significant in the history of the Convention. During the meeting, important decisions will likely be adopted, which will certainly have a great influence in the upcoming working period, spanning 2008-2009.
The intention of the Decisions to be made is to improve transparency in compliance with the commitments of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols by establishing a compliance mechanism to follow up on the proper implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, to improve and facilitate transparency in the information on actions taken by using a new reporting format, and to pass some guidelines that will make it possible to determine liability and compensation in the event of damages occurring from pollution in the marine environment. Other Decisions will be aimed at fostering progress in the implementation of the ecosystem approach, developing Phase IV of the MED POL, spanning the 2006-2013 period, and promoting the application of the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources (LBS Protocol). In addition, some guidelines are also expected to be passed, to make it possible to guarantee the protection of the marine environment from damage that may be done by recreational crafts, and other guidelines to ensure that boats in need of shelter receive assistance.
Within the framework of the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA and Biodiversity Protocol), significant progress is also expected, such as revision of its Annexes, establishing measures to improve the protection of sea turtles, reef-derived and other calcareous formations and sea birds, continuing with actions enabling us to combat the introduction of invasive species, as well as including new Special Protection Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) and reviewing the existing ones, etc.
Likewise, the Meeting will have an important impact on sustainable development issues, due to the adoption of the Decision on implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development and the expected adoption of a new protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Lastly, we would like to point out that, on 16 and 17 January, the ministerial sessions will take place under the action motto “The Challenge of Climate Change in the Mediterranean”, thereby reflecting the Contracting Parties’ interest in taking on the necessary commitments to globally cope with problems deriving from Climate Change in the Mediterranean. The “Almeria Declaration” introduced by the Spanish authorities is expected to be adopted so that, among other issues, the Contracting Parties commit themselves to taking the necessary steps to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and guarantee sustainable development in the Mediterranean basin. One of the issues raised will be the possibility of using underwater geological structures to capture and store CO2 , which has already been done in the framework of other international Conventions concerning the protection of the marine environment.
Tentative Programme
| 15th Meeting of the Contracting Parties Almeria, Spain, 15-18 January 2008 Tentative Programme |
|
| Monday 14 January 2008 | |
| Arrival of Ministers, Delegations and Participants | |
| 1500- 2100 | Registration at Hotel Porto Magno |
| Tuesday 15 January 2008 - Plenary Session | |
| Arrival of Ministers, Delegations and Participants | |
| 0830 - 1000 | Registration of participants at the Congress and Exhibition Palace |
| 1000 - 1100 | Opening of the Meeting Plenary Session |
| 1100 - 1130 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1130 - 1300 | Plenary Session (cont.) |
| 1300 - 1345 | Side event: Hazardous Wastes (CP/RCA) (plenary hall) |
| 1300 - 1430 | Lunch Break |
| 1430 - 1600 | Plenary Session (cont.) |
| 1600 - 1630 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1630 - 1800 | Plenary Session (cont.) |
| 1800 - 1845 | Side event: Globallast Pertnership & Ballast water issue (REMPEC) (plenary hall) |
| 1900 - 2100 | Reception by the Coordinator of UNEP/MAP at the Exhibition Hall of the Congress and Exhibition Palace Mediterranean Environment Award Ceremony |
| Wednesday 16 January 2008 - Ministerial Session | |
| 1000 - 1030 | Opening of the Ministerial Session |
| 1030 - 1100 | Ministerial Session Presentation of the Report by the Coordinator Keynote Address on “The Challenge of Climate Change in the Mediterranean” Statements by Delegations |
| 1100 - 1130 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1130 - 1300 | Ministerial Session (cont.) |
| 1300 - 1345 | • Press Conference (Press Room, 1st floor) • Side event: NSSD Montenegro (plenary hall) |
| 1300 - 1500 | Lunch Break Lunch for Ministers and Heads of Delegations hosted by the Spanish Minster for the Environment |
| 1500 - 1600 | Ministerial Session (cont.) |
| 1600 - 1630 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1630 - 1800 | Ministerial Session (cont.) |
| 1800 - 1845 | • Side event: Aires Marine Protegees en Mediterranee (SPA/RAC with IUCN, WWF and ACCOBAMS) (Press Room, 1st floor) • Side event: Green competitiveness: the GRECO initiative (CP/RAC) (plenary hall) |
| 1900 - 2100 | Cocktail reception by the Spanish Ministry for the Environment at Envia Hotel |
| Thursday 17 January 2008 - Ministerial Session | |
| 0900 - 1100 | Ministerial Session (cont.) |
| 1100 - 1130 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1130 - 1300 | Ministerial Session (cont.) |
| 1300 - 1345 | • Side event: Ecologically Protected Zones in the Mediterranean (MAREVIVO) (plenary hall) • Side event: From Maritime Traffic to Biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea - IUCN Mediterranean (Press Room, 1st floor) |
| 1300 - 1430 | Lunch Break |
| 1430 - 1600 | Plenary Session Adoption of the Almeria Declaration |
| 1600 - 1630 | Coffee Break (exhibition hall) |
| 1630 - 1800 | Plenary Session Date and Place of the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties in 2009 |
| 1800 - 1845 | Side event: CAMP Almeria (PAP/RAC) (plenary hall) |
| 2000 - 2200 | Reception hosted by the Andalucia Regional Government |
| Friday 18 January 2008 - Plenary Session | |
| 0900 - 1500 | No session (in order for the Rapporteur to prepare the Draft Report of the Meeting) Participants are invited on a half-day visit to Capo de Gata marine protected area organized by the Spanish Authorities. |
| Coffee Break (exhibition hall) | |
| 1500 - 1800 | Plenary Session • Other business • Adoption of the Report • Closure of the Meeting |
Formal and hospitality events
The Coordinating Unit will host a reception for all participants on the 15th of January 2008, in the Exhibition Hall of the Conference and Exhibition Palace
Lunch will be provided to all participants by the Host country on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2008. There is no morning session on Friday 18 January 2008.
The Spanish Minister for the Environment will host a cocktail reception for all participants on Wednesday 16 January 2008 at Hotel Envia.
The Andalucia Regional Government will be offering a cocktail reception on Thursday, 17th January 2008 at the Almeria School of Arts:
CENTRO ANDALUZ DE FOTOGRAFÍA
PLAZA PABLO CAZARD, 1
04002 ALMERÍA
Side events and exhibition area
During the conference days an exhibition will be mounted in the Congress and Exhibition Palace about the activities of MAP components and partners. A UNEP Exhibition about Climate Change will also be on display.
Facilities will be available in the exhibition area for the display of information leaflets and other publicity material. Delegations who wish to put on display and make available information literature and publications for conference participants are invited to contact Ms. Luisa Colasimone or Ms. Jacqui Attwood.
Should you wish to show videos or other audiovisual materials please contact us to ensure the necessary equipment can be made available.