Spotlight

The Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD) met in Istanbul on 12-13 February to review the independent evaluation report on its strategy for the period 2016-2025. The findings will guide final updates to the Mediterranean Strategy on Sustainable Development (MSSD) for the next millennium 2026-2035.

The evaluation report found that the implementation of the MSSD has advanced, mainly due to the flagship initiatives supporting its goals. However the process should be accelerated by scaling up achievements and leveraging on synergies with relevant initiatives and frameworks, alongside agricultural area used for organic farming.

The target to put at least 10% of the coastal areas under protection was largely met, as 9% area has been already protected. However, this target has to be increased to 30% by 2030 to be in line with recent regulations set by the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The target of regulating harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive practices was less successful, as the Mediterranean and Black Sea still have the lowest share of sustainable fishing stocks.

The evaluation showed low progress in resource management and rural development, covering food availability rate, water stress, access to clean water and sanitation, and agricultural areas used for organic farming. The same deficiency applies to reducing degradation of natural habitat and protection of biodiversity.

While some improvement was made in advancing sustainable practices in Mediterranean cities, vast gaps remain in areas of waste management and providing more public spaces. Positive trends were recorded regarding integrating climate change issues in development policies, while progress in the transitioning to green economy and creating green jobs was slow. This calls for more specific climate targets to be included in the updated strategy. Evident progress was made in the area of Governance, but broader mobilization is needed to better involve the private sector and civil society in decision making, while promoting a more streamlined gender approach.

Based on the findings, the meeting discussed in details updates to the MSSD to be presented to an extended meeting of the MCSD scheduled in Rome in June, which will approve final recommendations on the matter to the 24th Conference of Parties to the Barcelona Convention for the Mediterranean, to be held in Egypt in December 2025.

AFED is member of the Mediterranean Commission (MCSD) and Secretary General, Najib Saab, is Vice President of its Steering Committee, chaired by France.