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.