“While expressing the respect for Mediterranean heritage and the values on which we base our today's development, we have to be aware of our responsibility for future generations.  Despite the fact that developmental models and aspects of preserving the marine environment and the coastal area are defined by numerous regional and national strategies, only the instruments of integral management of the coastal area provide holistic, integral and integrated approach in planning and developing coastal areas”, Vice President of the Parliament Mr Branimir Gvozdenović stressed during his speech at the 20th meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention held in Tirana, where he participated in his capacity of Ambassador of the Mediterranean coast.

The 20th meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention was held in Tirana today.  The meeting was an opportunity to recall on the importance of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) for the sustainable development of coastal and marine areas, the elimination of pollution and the achievement of a good state of the environment in line with the ecosystem approach.

Vice President Gvozdenović emphasised that ICZM has made marine areas more resistant to the developmental pressure caused by the tourism development and accompanying processes of urbanization.  He stressed that this pressure was additionally increased in the Mediterranean region by the influence of climate change, that is, the rise in sea levels, droughts and floods.

“ICZM makes our marine areas productive in traditional, contemporary and future economic developmental conditions, simultaneously providing an incentive to developmental aspirations of local economies;  it also encourages diversity of marine area - dominantly through positive effects on diversity of sea and coast ecosystems, making, at the same time, our cost areas recognisable through the incentive to preserve the cultural heritage, architecture, landscapes and customs of the Mediterranean ", Mr Gvozdenović pointed out.

Pointing to the fact that the development of a new generation of national policies for integrated coastal area management and the application of ICZM instruments through the CAMP programme, by which the Mediterranean countries firmly confirm their commitment to ICZM goals, Mr Gvozdenović highlighted in particular the importance of spatial planning of the marine environment and the establishment of an integrated state monitoring program for marine environment.

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By adopting and applying the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management of the Mediterranean to the Barcelona Convention, models have been established for the integration and harmonization of numerous development interests and aspirations.

In this way, ICZM encourages a responsible attitude towards natural resources, contributing to the restoration and preservation of ecosystems, both in the territorial sea and in international waters.

Through the integrated management of these activities that make the backbone of the 14th global sustainable development goal, the Mediterranean region provides a significant contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.