May 2008
A monthly e-newsletter by UNEP/MAP
IN THIS ISSUE:
UNEP NEWS
New Offi ces of REMPEC Inaugurated in Malta
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
The new offi ces of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency
Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) at
`Maritime House', Valletta were offi cially inaugurated on the 2
Shark prize awarded to UNEP Executive Director May 2008.
Climate change awareness campaign
Steiner
On 29th May the Shark Guardian Award was handed over to
Sardinia Chart for the protection of
The public awareness campaign on climate change, launched
Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director.
by the European Commission in May 2006, moved into its
Mediterranean coasts adopted
third and fi nal stage, focusing on Hungary, Poland, the Czech
During the second day of the Mediterranean Workshop on
Republic, Romania and Bulgaria.
ICZM Policy, organised by PAP/RAC in Alghero between 19th
and 21st May 2008, a special session was organised dedicat-
MAP COMPONENTS
ed to the Sardinian experience in ICZM.
and BARCELONA CONVENTION
Energy and climate change in the
Mediterranean -
Meeting of the steering committee
International Conference "Confronting fresh
Blue Plan is currently fi nalizing a study on energy and climate
water crisis in the Mediterranean Basin.
change in the Mediterranean. These works are mainly funded
What role for the European Union ?"
by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Organized in Paris on 28th - 29th May 2008, with the support
of Iddri, Blue Plan and the World Water Council, this confer-
UNCSD tackles global food crisis and climate
ence aimed at attracting the general public's attention to the
changes issues
problems related to fresh water in the Mediterranean basin.
The 16th Meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development focused on the issue of poverty and the food
"Destinations" project wins Energy Globe Award crisis, which is currently witnessed globally, compounded by
The International Jury of the Energy Globe Award 2007 has
the rise in the prices of commodities.
chosen the "Destinations" as the national winner for Algeria.

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INDEX
UNEP NEWS
SHARK PRIZE AWARDED TO UNEP
By considering the contributions of the different
Awards took place on 26 May 2008 at the European
UNEP NEWS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEINER
co-operation forums dealing with water in the
Parliament in Brussels.
Mediterranean, and especially the actions of the
The International Energy Globe Awards (the
Shark prize awarded
On 29th May the
World Awards for Sustainability) have been awarded
to UNEP Executive
Shark Guardian
annually since 1999 to recognise projects that make
Director Steiner
Award was handed
careful and economical use of resources and employ
MAP
over to Achim
alternative energy sources.
COMPONENTS
Steiner, UNEP
The winners, in the categories of Earth, Fire,
Executive Director, by
Water, Air and Youth, are selected by a panel
and
Dr Andreas Keppeler
European Union, the Presidency of which will be
including members from the United Nations
BARCELONA
of the German NGO
assumed by France on 1st July 2008, this conference
Industrial Development Organization, World Bank
CONVENTION
Sharkproject at
offered solutions that can help policy-makers.
and the European Renewable Energy Council. The
the Convention on Biological Biodiversity in Bonn,
It brought together speakers with a wide range
awards were initiated by Austrian engineer and
International
Germany.
of perspectives, from multiple countries in the
environmentalist Wolfgang Neumann.
Conference
The award was given in recognition of the
Mediterranean region and from diverse backgrounds
"Confronting fresh
important efforts that Mr Steiner and his organisation
­ business, public administration, NGO and academia.
water crisis in the
made to publicise the threat of mercury poisoning
In the framework of regional, European and French
NEW OFFICES OF REMPEC INAUGURATED
Mediterranean
as a result of eating top-predator-class fi sh, such
water policies in the Mediterranean, the following
IN MALTA
Basin. What role for
as sharks. UNEP's contribution to protect globally
topics were addressed: climate change adaptation,
the European Union endangered populations of sharks was also a factor
public-private partnership and the agricultural
The new offi ces of the Regional Marine
?"
that determined the recognition.
model required for a sustainable water resources
Pollution Emergency Response Centre
Sharkproject and UNEP reaffi rmed continued
management.
for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) at
"Destinations"
cooperation to establish a training programme for 8
`Maritime House', Valletta were offi cially
project wins Energy to 10 years old children that will explain the marine
"DESTINATIONS" PROJECT WINS ENERGY
inaugurated on the 2 May 2008 by the
Globe Award
food web; the virtual important role of the sharks
GLOBE AWARD
Hon Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of
in the marine ecosystem and how to avoid human
Malta in the presence of Mr Efthimios
New Offi ces
intoxication with mercury by seafood consumption.
The International Jury of the Energy Globe Award
Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the
of REMPEC
2007 has chosen the "Destinations" as the national
International Maritime Organization
Inaugurated in Malta
winner for Algeria. The objective of the project
(IMO) and Mr Paul Mifsud, Co-ordinator of the
MAP COMPONENTS and is to propose strategies for sustainable tourism
Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United
development in three pilot coastal zones: Mont
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
BARCELONA CONVENTION Chenoua - Cap Djinet in Algeria, Central Rif in Morocco Prior to the unveiling of the commemorative
and Cap Bon in Tunisia.
plaque, Mr Mifsud, Mr Mitropolous and the Hon Gonzi
This project, co-fi nanced
addressed the distinguished guests which included
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
within LIFE - Third Countries
members of the Diplomatic Corps resident in Malta,
"CONFRONTING FRESH WATER CRISIS IN
programme of the EC, is
Members of Parliament, senior Maltese Government
THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN.
being implemented by UNEP/
offi cials and two former Directors of the Centre, Mr
MAP centre PAP/RAC and
Philippe Le Lourd and Rear Admiral Roberto Patruno.
WHAT ROLE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION ?"
its partners in the Maghreb
A reception hosted by Mr Frederic Hebert, Director of
countries.
REMPEC, followed the inauguration ceremony.
Organized in Paris on 28th - 29th May 2008, with
The ceremony in which
REMPEC moved to the new offi ces, which were
the support of Iddri, Blue Plan and the World Water
certifi cates were presented
made available and refurbished by the Government of
Council, this conference aimed at attracting the
to the winners, and the
Malta, last December. The Centre has been hosted in
general public's attention to the problems related to
international television gala
Malta since its establishment in 1976.
fresh water in the Mediterranean basin.
for the ENERGY GLOBE World
At the beginning of April, REMPEC's initiative

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
MAP
on garbage discharge requirements brought into
participation of the representatives of the national TVs ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE
effect MARPOL Annex V special area status for the
and newspapers, which was held in the evening, was
COMPONENTS
MEDITERRANEAN - MEETING OF THE
Mediterranean, and made the disposal of garbage into dedicated to the fi rst celebration of the EU Maritime
and
STEERING COMMITTEE
the Mediterranean from ships prohibited from 1st May Day and the adoption of the "Sardinia Charter".

BARCELONA
2009.
The workshop was organised in collaboration
CONVENTION
with the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy) and
Blue Plan is currently fi nalizing a study on energy and
in the framework of the EU funded SMAP III project.
climate change in the Mediterranean. These works are
mainly funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Sardinia Chart for
SARDINIA CHART FOR THE PROTECTION
It was attended by 84 participants, including high-
On 20th May 2008, the steering committee pertaining
the protection of
OF MEDITERRANEAN COASTS ADOPTED
level policy-makers from different Ministries of
Mediterranean
the SMAP eligible countries,
to the study met in order to validate the main fi ndings
coasts adopted
NGO representatives and the
and recommendations to be published in July, in
representatives of the SMAP III
Energy and climate
ICZM projects, including the high-
change in the
level representatives of the EU,
Mediterranean
UNEP/MAP and METAP.
- Meeting of the

The Ambassadors for the
steering committee
Coast appointed by PAP/RAC
opened the workshop addressing
UNCSD tackles
the participants and describing
global food crisis
their personal efforts, as well as
and climate changes
endeavours of their countries and
issues
relevant organisations to achieve
sustainable coastal development.

Mostafa K. Tolba, former
UNEP Executive Director,
described his 30 years of struggle
within UNEP for saving the
Regional Seas. He reminded
conjunction with the report.
The members of the steering committee belong to
During the second day of the Mediterranean
the participants of the results of the ecological
the following institutions: EIB, European Environment
Workshop on ICZM Policy, organised by PAP/RAC in
footprint studies and invited them all to consolidate
Agency, French Ministry of Environment, ENDA
Alghero 19th and 21st May 2008, a special session
efforts towards improving the ICZM policy in the
Maghreb, Observatoire Méditerranéen de l'Energie,
was organised dedicated to the Sardinian experience
Mediterranean. Cicito Morittu, Councilor of the
Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical
in ICZM. In the afternoon of the same day, the Sardinia Environmental Protection of the Autonomous
Physics.
Chart was discussed, jointly Region of Sardinia, presented, on behalf of Renato
In the framework of an Euro-Mediterranean
with Mr. Renato Soru,
Soru, President of the Sardinian Region, the regional
seminar organized in Athens on 31st May 2008, by
President of the Sardinian
recent initiatives and their objectives. Lhoucine
the Paris 11 University and the Pantheion University
Region.
Tijani, Delegate of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla
of Athens, Blue Plan gave a presentation on climate

The "Sardinia Charter" aims
Hasnaa of Morocco, and President of the Foundation
negociations. The seminar gave the opportunity
at promoting the local
Mohamed VI for the Environmental Protection,
to experts, politicians, journalists and students to
level ICZM network, and its
presented the Foundation's efforts to improve the
exchange on the effects of climate change in the
adoption was supported
status of the coast in Morocco.
Mediterranean and to discuss a few regional measures
also by the representatives
to mitigate them (Regional Carbon Facility, funding
of the NGO networks, like
through a world facility adaptation measures in the
WWF, Medcities and EUCC.
Mediterranean countries).
A press conference with

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
UNEP/MAP Key 2008 Dates
MAP
UNCSD TACKLES GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
COMPONENTS
AND CLIMATE CHANGES ISSUES
Bulgaria. Entitled `You control climate change', the
campaign aims to stimulate active dialogue in these
and BARCELONA
The 16th
fi ve countries, where national campaigns have not
MCSD Steering Committee
CONVENTION
Meeting of the
yet been implemented. The campaign will run until
19-20 June
Meeting
UN Commission
mid-2009 and will comprise the following actions:
UNCSD tackles global
on Sustainable
from June 2008, a TV advertisement showing how
Athens
food crisis and climate Development focused on the issue of poverty and
simple everyday actions can help to combat climate
changes issues
the food crisis, which is currently witnessed globally,
change, to be broadcast on the main youth channels
compounded by the rise in the prices of commodities.
and online on the campaign website; a `Be a changer'
ENVIRONMENTAL The meeting took place in New York from 14th to
competition, aimed at getting young people in
NEWS
16th May 2008 and included a Ministerial segment
these countries to pledge to adopt new habits and
addressed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
actions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
Climate change
A series of side events were also organised
and an internet campaign targeting youth-focused
First Meeting of Compliance
awareness campaign during the CSD, with the participation of UNEP/MAP
portals and chat platforms, directing them to the `Be
3-4 July
Committee
Coordinator Paul Mifsud.
a changer' competition website. This fi nal stage of
Athens
In particular, the Hellenic Ministry for the
the campaign will cost 1.5 million, brining the total
Environment, the European Commission, UNEP/MAP
two-year campaign cost to 6.2 million. The campaign
and MIO/ECSDE organised a panel discussion on
website is at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/
"Addressing Climate Change Adaptation Challenges
campaign/index_en.htm
in the Mediterranean", with presentations by
political representatives from several Mediterranean
Second Meeting of
countries and regional organisations. UNEP/MAP
Coordinator highlighted the adaptation initiatives
Government designated
promoted by UNEP as part of the Climate Change
9-10 July
experts on the ecosystem
Strategy, indicating how all UNEP entities should take
approach
ownership of such initiative which is not just relevant
Athens
to the Regional Seas Programme.
During the side event organised by Montenegro
about National Sustainable Development Strategies,
it was underlined how UNEP/MAP contributed and
supported Montenegro and other Mediterranean
countries to develop their NSSD within the framework
of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable
Development.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
The public awareness campaign on climate change,
launched by the European Commission in May 2006,
moved into its third and fi nal stage, focusing on
Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and

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