The revised strategy will focus on seas and coasts, natural resources, rural areas and food, climate, sustainable cities, green economy transition, and governance
The Steering Committee of the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD) held its 15th meeting on 11 and 12 June 2014 in Malta and discussed the progress in activities related to sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
The meeting considered the outcome of the consultation process on the review of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD), as well as the reform options for the MCSD. Links with the ongoing Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulation process were explored.
The main outcome of the meeting was the elaboration of the vision and structure that will guide the formulation of the revised MSSD over the next year. It was agreed that the revised strategy will focus on topics that lie in the interface between environment and development.
The Steering Committee recommended that the revised MSSD focus on the following thematic areas:
Seas and coasts; including efforts towards reaching Good Environment Status of Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems
- Natural resources, rural development and food; including links not only to marine and coastal, but also terrestrial habitats, and to fresh waters
- Climate; including the impacts of climate change on natural resources and socioeconomic sectors and possible responses
- Sustainable cities; including coastal urbanisation and Integrated Coastal Zone Management, land transport, waste management, infrastructure, housing and energy
- Transition towards a green economy; including sustainable consumption and production
- Governance, including financing, Aarhus Convention–related issues such as public participation, and cooperation.
Thematic working groups will be set up to develop strategy options, policy directions and possible action in these areas.
The review process of the MSSD was launched on 14 February 2014, following a decision of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention made during their recent 18th ordinary meeting in Istanbul (CoP18). Malta has the Presidency of the MCSD for the biennium 2014-2015.
