The Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD)

MCSD operates since 1996, with the participation of representatives from the 20 Mediterranean countries, regional authorities, private enterprises representatives and from major NGOs acting in the region. It is a consultative forum aiming at developing proposals on important fields of action, to be presented to the Contracting Parties (CP) of the Barcelona Convention (MAP) for adoption, thus contributing to a broader support to the sustainable development actions.

In November 2005 the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention approved the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development. The Strategy is structured around four objectives and seven interlinked priority fields action. Thirty-four indicators are annexed to enable the follow-up of the Strategy.

The four main objectives are: i)contribute to economic development by enhancing Mediterranean assets ii) reduce social disparities by implementing the UN Millenium Development Goals and improve cultural integration iii) change unsustainable production and consumption patterns and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources iv) improve governance at the local, national, and regional levels.

The seven priority fields of action are water resources; energy management and addressing impacts of climate change; transport; tourism; urban development; agriculture and management of the sea; coastal areas and marine resources.

The UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Center "Plan Bleu" has been placed in charge of the work for the implementation of the Strategy under the authority of the Coordinator of the MAP, and with the support of the other MAP Regional Activity Centres.