The 22nd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols (COP 22) will take place on 7-10 December 2021 in Antalya, Turkey.
The meetings of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its protocols, held every two years, constitute the principal gathering on environment and sustainable development in the region.
COP 22 will mark 45 years of seamless environmental multilateralism and regional solidarity under the MAP/Barcelona Convention and its Protocols. It will offer an inclusive platform for renewed commitment in the Mediterranean and send a clear signal that the UNEP/MAP system is ready to act effectively and in a timely manner to support the region in building back greener with strong environmental objectives.
Highlights from the COP 22 agenda
The Contracting Parties will consider for adoption:
- an ambitious UNEP/MAP Medium-term Strategy (MTS) for 2022-2027 aiming at providing effective and integrated responses to tackle the global triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution in the Mediterranean with a view to contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean.
- the post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biological Diversity (Post-2020 SAPBIO): an integrated blueprint for biodiversity conservation that considers the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and focuses attention and efforts on priorities outlined through regional consultations as part of an inclusive process driven by UNEP/MAP and guided by science. This will be complemented by a Strategic document on marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) with the aim of bolstering conservation and efforts on living in harmony with nature.
- the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (MED SOx ECA) pursuant to IMO MARPOL Annex VI.
- bold action and measures to effectively combat pollution and marine litter through a set of new or updated legally binding measures and timetables for their implementation, the Regional Strategy on pollution from ships (2022-2031), the Ballast Water Management Strategy (2022-2027) and technical guidance documents.
- the promotion of the circular economy, including through support to green and circular businesses.
- the Antalya Ministerial Declaration.
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