News: Amplifying marine conservation through community engagement: MedPAN testimony

Union for the Mediterranean Database

MedPAN, a pivotal member of the EU Blue Parks Community, is leading innovative marine conservation initiatives in the Mediterranean through active engagement and community-driven approaches, particularly via the Forum of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean, with its 4th edition anticipated to take place in 2025. MedPAN regularly organises thematic regional workshops, including the 2024 edition focused on tourism management within MPAs, and conducts a comprehensive survey every four years to assess the management status and conditions of Mediterranean MPAs (see 2020 edition). 

In collaboration with SPA/RAC, MedPAN launched a new call for voluntary commitments prior to the summer, introducing the "Road to 2030 Commitment Form for Mediterranean Marine Conservation and MPAs". This initiative encourages Mediterranean stakeholders to contribute to the Post-2020 Mediterranean MPAs Roadmap, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Regional Strategy for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) through concrete initiatives and projects. 

Considering that marine conservation and the establishment of MPAs are collective efforts, all Mediterranean stakeholders are strongly encouraged to align with the Roadmap's strategic objectives and recommendations by undertaking in practical and concrete actions. However, the Call for Commitments is not necessarily intended to prompt stakeholders to identify new activities or develop initiatives beyond their existing mandates: many stakeholders are already contributing to the advancement of the Roadmap through their ongoing or planned actions. MedPAN seeks to promote and highlight these efforts within the vibrant and active Mediterranean marine conservation community of practice.  

These commitments are entirely voluntary, meaning there are no legal obligations or restrictions on the number or type of commitments that can be made. Stakeholders may submit one or several commitments until December 2024. 

Learn more here.

News Posted on 30/09/2024

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