The Mediterranean Action Plan Phase II and the revised Barcelona Convention: new prospective for integrated coastal management in the Mediterranean region

This paper presents integrated coastal management (ICM) relevant information on the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its hitherto and future involvement in the initiation and establishment of the ICM process in the region. The conceptual, legal and institutional basis of MAP, as established in 1975, is described. The MAP 1975–1995 period is characterized by a gradual refocusing from a programme for the protection of the marine environment towards a complex programme oriented at environmental protection of coastal areas and rational management of resources within the context of integrated planning and coastal management. The major ICM-related activities and achievements of MAP are presented and commented upon. The concept, contents and impacts on ICM of the revised Barcelona Convention and of the MAP Phase II documents, adopted in 1995, are presented and analyzed. Some prerequisites for a successful further involvement of MAP Phase II in ICM are listed. Finally, the organization of a Mediterranean Conference on ICM is proposed, as well as the opportunity of adoption of a MAP Protocol on ICM. P Phase II programme, if properly implemented, should significantly contribute to the attainment of the critical momentum for the establishment and permanent implementation of the ICM process in all the countries of the region.