Building on the outputs of the regional workshop “The Mediterranean Sea we need for the future we want”, a virtual session focused on “Co-designing the science and capacity we need for the Mediterranean region” was organized on 11 November 2020. It aimed to share lessons learned to promote cooperation and coordination in the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The online conference gathered 237 experts from 48 countries and more than 100 international organizations ranging from ocean and transdisciplinary research institutions, UN partners and NGOs to the private sector, with the common objective to co-design the Decade actions that will lead to transformative change in ocean science.
Discussions first explored the challenges related to collaborative research and best practices to deliver solution-oriented research. Then panelists dealt with the needs for capacity building, training and education for the Mediterranean Sea.
The MSPglobal International Youth Ambassador Vera Noon (Lebanon) took part in the event to present the concept of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), examples of implementation, as well as how MSP can contribute to achieving the Decade’s objectives.
Click here for her presentation.
The virtual session was convened by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the Italian Oceanographic Commission, UNEP/MAP, the European Commission, the Mediterranean Scientific Commission and the BlueMed Initiative.
Following the event, a Task Force was established to co-design with local and regional stakeholders a program for the Mediterranean Sea to respond to the Ocean Decade’s first Call for Actions.
For more information, click here to access the dedicated page on the Decade’s website.
RELATED LINK:
MSPglobal pilot project in the West Mediterranean
CONTACT:
MSPglobal.comm@unesco.org