Advancing ICZM across the Mediterranean requires both regional coherence and strong national commitment
Under Article 18 of the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, Parties are required to formulate and implement national ICZM strategies, plans and programmes that define long-term objectives, priorities and coordination mechanisms for sustainable coastal development.
At the same time, the Protocol requires a coordinated regional approach, operationalised through the Common Regional Framework for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, adopted under the Barcelona Convention. This Framework functions as a regional ICZM strategy, providing a shared reference with common objectives, guiding principles and priority actions to support coherent and consistent implementation across the Mediterranean, while allowing adaptation to national contexts.
Nadograđujući ovaj pravni okvir, PAP/RAC pruža prilagođenu tehničku pomoć, metodološke smjernice i izgradnju kapaciteta kako bi pomogao zemljama u osmišljavanju participativnih, znanstveno utemeljenih ICZM strategija. Ovi okviri usklađuju nacionalne razvojne prioritete sa zaštitom okoliša, prilagodbom na klimatske promjene i održivim plavim gospodarstvom.
PAP/RAC’s approach provides direct support to ministries and coastal authorities in drafting ICZM strategies, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, integrating climate change adaptation and ecosystem-based approaches, and embedding coastal management into broader spatial planning systems.
PAP/RAC provides guidelines for national ICZM strategies and assists Mediterranean countries in preparing them based on their national needs and obligations.
In 2012, the Algerian government launched its National ICZM Strategy under the supervision of a dedicated inter-ministerial committee. This large participatory process involved more than 1,400 stakeholders, contributing to the development of a shared vision for the country’s coastal future
Pogledajte strategiju
Adopted in 2015, Montenegro’s ICZM Strategy established a strategic framework for applying ICZM principles into spatial planning, providing detailed recommendations for the preparation of the Coastal Area Spatial Plan.
Pogledajte strategiju
The Croatian Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection led the preparation of the National Coastal and Marine Strategy. PAP/RAC supported the process by facilitating the first economic and social assessment of the sea and coast, and by assisting in the preparation of the Strategy’s Programme of Measures aligned with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) and to the ICZM Protocol for the Mediterranean.
Pogledajte strategijuPAP/RAC je dugogodišnji podupiratelj Libanona, surađujući dugi niz godina na identificiranju prioriteta i podršci razvoju rješenja za učinkovito upravljanje obalnim područjem. Kao jedna od najgušće naseljenih obalnih zona Sredozemlja, libanonska obala suočava se sa značajnim razvojnim pritiskom, što se odražava u nekim od najviših omjera izgrađenosti obale u regiji.
These pressures are compounded by a complex socio-economic context. Lebanon currently hosts one of the highest numbers of refugees per capita worldwide, while also facing one of the most severe economic crises in recent history.
The development of the new National ICZM Strategy and of the accompanying draft ICZM Law represents a critical opportunity for Lebanon to strengthen coastal governance and establish mechanisms, tools and policy commitments needed to advance sustainable coastal management. Prepared under the GEF-funded MedProgramme, the strategy is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
