Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation
ACTIVITIES REPORT 2002

1. Introduction

The IUCN Centre began working on 1 October 2001 and this activity report for 2002 intends to bring IUCN members and partners in the region up to date with activities carried out in our first year of operation. The Centre receives core support from the Junta de Andalucia (Consejería de Medio Ambiente) and the Ministry of Environment (Spain), which we acknowledge with thanks.

Our office was established on 1 October 2001. In January 2002, we had the following assets:

• an agreed 2002-2004 strategy with some key results identified
• a substantial budget
• two and a half staff members
• No legal status
• no financial and administrative procedures, annual workplan or budget
• no functional communications system
• a fairly limited understanding of how IUCN does business
• enthusiasm for IUCNs potential regional role
• a very limited network of expertise that could be called on
• a need to demonstrate IUCN's added value at regional level

Most of the areas in which we have "achieved" in 2002 deal with the reinforcement of capacity (both inside and outside the office): setting up our communication methods and processes with members and through the internet and media; adapting and adopting IUCN procedures to our local reality; bringing new staff up to speed on IUCN and plugging them into regional and global networks; interacting with our core donors to ensure we operate within an agreed framework; and diversifying the donor base for the IUCN regional programme. In addition to this we have run a series of activities to demonstrate IUCN's added value and to begin to work closely and build good working relations with key regional partners, national Committees and IUCN members. Not least we have also developed innovative ways of working with the European and WesCANA programmes, regional commissions and global thematic programmes in a cross cutting manner as this programme is unique within IUCN in developing an ecosystem approach to programming (*1).

(*1)In that respect it is worth mentioning that the Mediterranean programme is conceived as a regional thematic programme, and does not seek to replace or duplicate the ongoing WesCANA programmes in the region.

 

At the end of the year the Centre was in the following situation:

• progress made on 22 of our 36 Mediterranean results areas in the 2002-2004 Strategy a set of internal procedures that draw on IUCN global internal rules,
• eight and a half staff members,
• a legal status with effective links to local administrations (social security, tax, employment law, staff contracts, etc),
• good working links with local administrations (eg for work permits, etc),
• an annual budget that respects internal IUCN rules (Sun accounting system), a chart of accounts, and provision to meet the financial reporting requirements of donors,
• a functional relationship at both technical and political level with the Centre's two main donors,
• an effective communications system, not only internally but through our web site and electronic bulletin for members,
• an increased understanding of how IUCN does business and the added value it can bring
• enthusiasm for IUCNs potential regional role,
• concrete experience of working with regional and national partners and over 50 IUCN members that is increasing networks and working relationships in the region,
• an additional € 510,000 raised for supporting the programme.
  

Mediterranean results: The management structure and systems for the Mediterranean Programme are developed and strengthened to support effective delivery of the programme Sources of funding are diversified over time. Project pipeline is strong and relevant to the key needs of the region

In addition to these structural issues the centre also began running technical activities that are described in more detail below.

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2. Programme development and implementation

The medium term Mediterranean strategy was completed early in 2002 according to the Amman inter-sessional programme, aligning the members' discussions in Malaga in 1997 with the new orientations of IUCN agreed in Amman. It was circulated to all members early in the year and is available also in French and Spanish. During the strategy development process, the Centre Director met with IUCN members in Spain, Tunis, France, Turkey, Morocco, Monaco and Italy, as well as partners such as WWF Mediterranean programme and MedForum(2) and the Barcelona Convention to inform development of the strategy.

The strategy envisages a set of key results in different programme areas, and the table below summarises key result areas where progress has been made during 2002.

Much of 2002 has been devoted to staff recruitment, programme design, definition of priorities and seeking linkages with regional policy processes and with IUCN members in the region.

(*2) Listed in Amman resolutions as key partners

Table. Mediterranean results areas from the 2002-2004 strategy where progress has been made in 2002.

KEY RESULT AREA	MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAMME RESULTS
Effective management and restoration of ecosystems	-The effectiveness of PAs at regional level is assessed and improved - Multi-country/transboundary actions for biodiversity conservation are supported - Support is given to the sustainable management of Mediterranean forests - Importance of arid lands for biodiversity is assessed - Linkages between agriculture and biodiversity are explored - Driving forces in land-use change are identified and linkages to key actors developed - The role of marine PAs in supporting artisanal fisheries is assessed and promoted - Experience on the management of island protected areas is shared - The sustainable use of Mediterranean fishery resources is pursued - Integrated water catchments management is promoted
Key institutions, agreements, processes and policies	- Development and implementation of Barcelona Convention provisions on biodiversity and resources use are supported. - Refinement of legal instruments for protected areas is undertaken - Implementation of CBD is supported in the region - The global biodiversity forum prior to Ramsar COP 8 (2002) is undertaken in Valencia - Mediterranean inputs to the World Parks Congress (2003) are promoted - Policies for biodiversity protection and sustainable use in island communities are promoted - Guidance on adaptation strategies to climate change is developed under the UNFCCC. - Linkages are established with the desertification convention, and IUCNs emerging policy is supported - Environmentally-sensitive water use indicators for policy makers are developed - The World Commission on Dams report is followed up in the region
Incentives and finance	Incentives for sustainable use, agriculture and biodiversity are developed and promoted
Equitable sharing of costs and benefits	-Protected areas are used to support and revitalise rural economies. - Experience in integrating conservation and local economies is developed and shared. - Development of nature-based tourism is promoted
Assessment of biodiversity and of related social and economic factors	- A Mediterranean Red List is developed - Information on species and PAs is made available to regional actors - Progress on implementing species action plans is monitored Information on status of island biodiversity is developed - Status of threatened species in fisheries is assessed
Information mgmt and communication systems	- Linkages are built with key Mediterranean actors on fisheries and arid lands conservation and management - A technical bridge between global conventions processes and the Mediterranean region is developed
Effective, efficient, and accountable governance and management of the Union..	- North-South linkages between IUCN members are supported and structured - Capacity of IUCN Commissions in the region to support the programme is enhanced - The management structure and systems for the Med Programme are developed and strengthened to support effective delivery of the programme - Leadership is provided by the IUCN Secretariat and the IUCN membership. - Sources of funding are diversified over time. - Project pipeline is strong and relevant to the key needs of the region.

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2.1 Completed activities

2.1.1 Transboundary Areas of biodiversity importance

In the spirit of resolution 2.46 "Protected areas of Mediterranean and international importance" IUCN has contracted to the emerging WesCANA Biodiversity centre in Lebanon a study to assess the information available and identify sites of biodiversity importance straddling national boundaries of countries in the south and east of the region(*3) . The consultants contacted members and sought to gather appropriate data by questionnaire with only limited success. The results will be available in 2003.

Mediterranean result: Multi-country/transboundary actions for biodiversity conservation are .

(*3) El litoral septentrional ya quedó incluido en una actividad anterior de la CMAP – APs transfronterizas en Europa

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2.1.2 Organisation of a Global Biodiversity Forum in Valencia November 2002 - Ramsar COP8
IUCN, in collaboration with international partners, organises regular Global Biodiversity Forums as a mechanism for promoting scientific and civil society input on key issues immediately prior to meetings of contracting parties
In collaboration with the global IUCN team, IUCN Mediterranean took responsibility for local logistics and communications in organising workshops on :

• Governance and sustainable development: the contribution of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands
• Agriculture, wetlands and water resources management
• Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) for sustainable development
• Wetlands restoration and mitigation
• Roundtable on wetlands, People and climate: preparing for change

  220 participants attended from 68 countries.
  

Mediterranean result: The global biodiversity forum prior to Ramsar COP 8 (2002) is undertaken in Valencia.

Further information ...

• Global Biodiversity Forum Conclusions (http://www.gbf.ch/present_session_old.asp?no=27&lg=EN)
• The 8th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (http://www.ramsar.org/index_cop8.htm)

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2.1.3 Strategic assessment of challenges facing Mediterranean islands
IUCN commissioned a report on the current knowledge of biodiversity and sustainable development of Mediterranean islands that reviews existing information, assesses the political and administrative framework for programme development, and lays out some proposals for a way forward. This report will guide programme development in 2003.

Mediterranean result: Policies for biodiversity protection and sustainable use in island communities are promoted.

DRAFT Strategic Assessment of Challenges facing Mediterranean Islands
(Full text EN - Summary FR - Summary ES)

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2.1.4 Mediterranean workshop on integrated catchment management
The diagnosis on freshwater management issues in the Mediterranean and the potential role of IUCN were developed in a draft paper which was circulated and then discussed and complemented in a Workshop (Malaga 8-9 April 2002) with the participation of twenty of the main organisations and experts on this topic in the region. The discussions and conclusions from this Workshop will inform the development of the Mediterranean water programme in 2003.

Mediterranean result: Integrated water catchments management is promoted.

Further information ...

Workshop report on mainstream environmental consideration in integrated basin management in the Mediterranean region.
8 -9 April 2002. Malaga.

Report on Integrated Water Management to address environmental degradation in the Mediterranean region

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2.1.5 North-South Links with Morocco
An IUCN mission has identified in October 2002 the development needs of key parts of the N. Moroccan coast if biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource use is to underpin local economic development. A project portfolio of 33 projects of around 9 million euros in total has been proposed by local partners through a transparent consultation process, and assessed by the mission that was supported by the Département des Eaux et Forêts in collaboration with the Moroccan National Committee of IUCN. Project proposals are as diverse as upstream sewage treatment for pollution affecting important biodiversity-rich wetlands, through to definition of important plant areas for local endemics, or ideas for environmental education. Not all proposals are directly in IUCN's range of expertise however they indicate essential actions, identified by the actors concerned, that are needed to support the sustainable development of the region. IUCN, in consultation with the relevant Moroccan authorities, will approach donors to support this portfolio. If this approach is found to be successful it may later be extended to other parts of the Mediterranean region.

If you want to received the full document with the listed projects, please contact uicnmed@iucn.org

Mediterranean result: North-South linkages between IUCN members are supported and structured.

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2.1.6 Adaptation to Climate change
To date much of the international and national work on climate change has focused on reduction of GHG emissions, rather than adaptation to climate change per se. Attention is now shifting to adaptation planning, as called for under the UNFCC. IUCN developed a collaborative programme to assist eight Mediterranean countries in their efforts to better integrate climate change considerations in their water and wetland resource management policy and practices; and, to advance climate change adaptation planning in a manner consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and compatible with the Ramsar Convention. Under the Mediterranean component of the programme, country baseline studies were prepared for Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. These studies, together with 4 papers on crosscutting themes (floods, droughts, water resources planning, and wetlands), informed a regional roundtable discussion with 85 participants held in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership in Athens in December 2002. The "Dialogue on water and climate" provided financial support for the initiative through WANI.

The meeting split into working groups to consider short, medium and long term adaptation needs, as well as the institutional changes that may be needed to increase responsiveness to forecast changes in climate. It was quite clear that thinking on this issue is in its infancy in many countries and the many challenges for water resource management and the agricultural sector were often beyond the conceptual reach of the participants, pointing to the need for stronger national processes and more locally relevant data.

Mediterranean result: Guidance on adaptation strategies to climate change is developed under the UNFCCC.

Further information...
Workshop on Water, Wetlands and Climate Change. 10-11 December 2002, Athens

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2.2 Ongoing activities

2.2.1 World Parks Congress (WPC)

The IUCN Mediterranean programme has been using the IUCN World Parks Congress as a vehicle for beginning work on PAs in the Mediterranean region, promoting interactions with WCPA, developing partnerships and raising funds.

Through 4 preparatory workshops and a major Mediterranean protected area meeting IUCN has been able to mobilise 250 people, 6 donors, and experience from 15 countries to discuss Mediterranean specificities, provide inputs to Durban, and to assess how the Durban process can reinforce protected area management in our region. A meeting organised jointly with the RAC/SPA of the Barcelona Convention has allowed the national Park Directors of N Africa to meet and exchange their experiences for the first time in Tunis in December 2002.

The four workshops held in our region were:

• Conectivity– Linkages in the landscape, Malaga Sept 2001
  
  The aim of the meeting, organised in partnership with the Consejería de Medio Ambiente and IUCN was to improve the Mediterranean contribution to the World Park Congress 2003 in relation to the Workshop Stream Linkages in the Landscape/Seascape with the following objectives:

• To identify the experience of relevance in the Mediterranean context.
• To identify opportunities and limitations to improving connectivity models in a Mediterranean landscape.
• To identify the planning and management mechanisms and instruments for improving the environmental connectivity and synergies in differents scales.
  

• Training – New skills for a new century
  
  Organised in partnership with the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, the Atelier Technique des Espaces Naturels, the Languedoc-Roussillon region and IUCN Mediterranean Centre, this meeting sought to:
  • Analyse new training needs for staff involved in the management of natural areas in the Mediterranean ;
  • Define the broad lines of a common project that could help Mediterranean Training organisations to cater for these new needs ;
  • Contribute to recognising the Mediterranean specificity's at the World Park Congress (Durban Sept 2003).
    
    
    
• Governance – New ways of working together
  Organised in partnership with the Diputación de Barcelona, the discussions on this theme had the following objectives:
  • To identify experiences and efficient models of governance in the Mediterranean context.
  • To analyse opportunities and limitations for improving governance models in Mediterranean
  • To identify management mechanisms and instruments for improving new models of governance at different scales: administrativesand territorial.
  • To identify the promotion of ways in governance in the mediterranean area.
    
  
  
  
• North Africa Protected Areas managers (This workshop was organised in collaboration with RAC/SPA (Barcelona Convention) and the Ministère tunisien de l'Agriculture, de l'Environnement et des Ressources hydrauliques. The Vice Chairman of WCPA-WesCANA made the link with WCPA.

  The general objective of the meeting was to identify, to analise and to discuss with the directors of National Parks from the five North Africa countries :
  

  • Experiences and best practice in National Park management.
  • Opportunities and limitations of North African. National Parks.
  • Contribution of North Africa to Durban in the mediterranean context.
    

The results from this process will feed into the global meeting in Durban in Sept 2003 and provide a framework for the future activities of the IUCN Mediterranean programme.

Mediterranean results: Mediterranean inputs to the World Parks Congress (2003) are promoted. A technical bridge between global conventions processes and the Mediterranean region is developed.

Further information...

- Full Information on the Murcia workshops
- The Mid-term Programme for Protected Areas (2002-2004)
- The preliminary proposal for priority lines.

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2.2.2 Shark Conservation in the Mediterranean region
Working with SSC- Shark Specialist Group (SSG) and the Regional Centre for Specially Protected Areas of the Barcelona Convention, IUCN is building regional capacity to address the assessment and conservation of threatened sharks. This has involved an initial draft red list on the Mediterranean level (the first regional red List that the SSG undertakes), reinforcement of inputs from the south and east of the basin through expansion of the SSG network and creation of a regional Mediterranean sub-group, contributions to the Barcelona Convention Action Plan on Elasmobranchs (which will shortly be adopted by Mediterranean governments). Outreach to the media has been further developed through a media kit on sharks that has supported articles on this issue.

Mediterranean results: Status of threatened species in fisheries is assessed. The sustainable use of Mediterranean fishery resources is pursued. Linkages are built with key Mediterranean actors on fisheries and arid lands conservation and management. Information on species and PAs is made available to regional actors.

Further Information...

- Red List elaborated by the Specialist Sharks Group (SSG)
- MediaKit on sharks (only in Spanish)

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2.2.3 Globallast: a bridge between global conventions processes and the Mediterranean region
The Global Marine Programme is engaging with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on developing IUCN's role in the Globallast Project and on publishing the quarterly newsletter on Marine Invasive Species. In this regard, the Mediterranean has been proposed to host a new demonstration site in the phase II of the Globallast project which will provide institutional strengthening, capacity building and technical assistance to the Mediterranean countries to develop regional and national activities to implement the new Ballast Water Convention and other invasive marine species programmes.

Further Information...

- Marine Invasive Species

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2.2.4 Forest landscape restoration in the Mediterranean
The concept of Forest Landscape Restoration is being promoted by IUCN, WWF International and various other partners and governments. However, this is not a new idea. It builds on a number of existing rural development, conservation and natural resource management principles and approaches, bringing the together to restore multiple forest functions to degraded landscapes.
In September 2002 the European Commission agreed to support a project proposed by IUCN, the Centre for cultural landscapes in Salerno Italy, WWF Mediterranean and the Association of Mediterranean foresters to promote this concept within the framework of the UN Forest Forum.
The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation will therefore organise, with these partners, an expert workshop on FLR during the second week of May 2003 in Castellabate, Italy. The objective of this workshop is to identify the efforts that are taking place at the international level, and to explore ways to promote FLR in the region.
Beyond this workshop, the aim is to establish a network of experts at the regional level, as well as gather diverse examples of Forest Landscape Restoration initiatives. This would set the information platform for developing a regional approach relevant to this issue, document success and failure stories, share examples and experiences, and promote this concept through the region.

Mediterranean result: Support is given to the sustainable management of Mediterranean forests.

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2.2.5 Barcelona Convention
The agreement between the donors and IUCN stipulates that the IUCN Centre for Cooperation shall support the work of the Barcelona Convention.

In this regard the Centre offers technical advice, using IUCNs Commission networks, to the following activities:

1. Action Plan on cartilaginous fishes (under development)
2. Action Plan for invasive species (under development)
3. Strategic Action Plan for Mediterranean Biodiversity (under development)
4. Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable development

In addition the Centre has convened, in collaboration with the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas, a meeting of N. African National Park Directors as part of the process to Durban.

Mediterranean result: Development and implementation of Barcelona Convention provisions on biodiversity and resources use are supported.

Further Information

- Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean

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2.2.6 Development of a recognised Red list for Turkey
The Turkish Ministry of Environment has asked IUCN to contribute to the development of an officially recognised Red List that can serve as official guidance for species protection and environmental impact assessments. A number of informal lists exist already, however these are occasionally disputed and are not officially recognised. This activity will start in 2003.

Mediterranean result: A Mediterranean Red List is developed.

 

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2.2.7 Protected Areas and fisheries
The inception of this activity has led to a literature review and consultations with Mediterranean partners. The initial indications are that very few high quality studies are available on this topic, although a number of scientific groups are increasingly working to quantify such effects. The future of our work towards this result may in consequence need to be modified.

Mediterranean result: The role of marine PAs in supporting artisanal fisheries is assessed and promoted

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2.2.8 Support to the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity
At the COP6 meeting in The Hague in April 2002, parties adopted Decision VI/9 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for implementation by 2010.

IUCN has agreed with the SSC Mediterranean Island Plants Specialist Group and Planta Europa (an IUCN member based in UK) to promote plant red lists in the Mediterranean and identify Important Plant Areas within the region (notably in countries with foci of high endemism) as a contribution to assisting contracting parties implement their commitments under the CBD. The Mediterranean region is especially rich in plant species and is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot.

Mediterranean result: Implementation of CBD is supported in the region.

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2.2.9 Involvement of members and Commissions in the programme
The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean cooperation is pursuing partnerships with a range of IUCN members, IUCN Commissions and regional organisations in implementing its programme. Emphasis in 2002 has been placed on promoting regional activities and participating in key regional fora to make IUCNs presence and technical contribution tangible and visible. Due to our presence in Andalusia, the Centre has also sought to establish relationships with key Spanish and Andalusian institutions in different thematic areas, as well as developing working linkages with other Autonomous regions of the Mediterranean coast.

A full list of partners currently involved in the programme is given in the table below.

Report on Invasive Species in Mediterranean islands (Only in French)

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2.2.10 Communication activities
During 2002 the communications of the Centre have improved markedly. Regular electronic bulletins are sent out to members (in English, French and Spanish) for information and to encourage their participation in the programme; the web site has been designed following IUCN's corporate image and is regularly updated with news, events and reports; and relations with the press are improving as we associate our communications strategy with major regional or global events (eg Ramsar Convention, Johannesburg etc). 35,000 web site hits were recorded in the last 3 months of 2002. Hundreds of IUCN reports have been downloaded during January 2003, with the newly released report on the adaptation strategy of Morocco to climate change taking top place with 120 downloads. The website is therefore beginning to play its role in disseminating IUCN results and this can be expected to increase as new results are posted on a regular basis.

Further Information...
Report on Communications Activities

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3. Administration and finance

3.1 Staff

During 2002 the office has grown considerably and the following staff have occupied key staff positions during this year:

• Jamie Skinner, Director
• Rami Salman, Programme Coordinator (from November)
• Andrés Alcántara, Protected Areas Programme Coordinator
• Natalia Martini, Marine Programme Coordinator (from July to December)
• Imène Meliane, Marine Programme Officer (from Octubre)
• Isaac Jiménez, Finance and Administration officer (from March)
• Lourdes Lázaro, Communications Officer (from July)
• José Pérez, support TI (from November– part time)
• Karima El Kasmi, Executive assistant (from January)
• Miriam Puga, Executive assistant (part time)

The composition of the team is expected to evolve further in 2003 with the appointment of a water coordinator and a marine lawyer, financed by project activities.

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4.Outlook for 2003

The 2003 programme continues to build on activities begun in 2002 to meet the Mediterranean results laid out in the strategy. The major IUCN event for this year is the World Conservation Congress in Durban, South Africa in September and much of our energies at regional level are already focussed on the Mediterranean protected areas conference in Murcia at the end of March 2003. Once this event has been completed, more effort can be devoted to programme development and fundraising to build on 2002 achievements. In addition 2003 will see some of the Mediterranean results areas neglected in 2002 being reinforced (consolidation of the marine programme, water-related activities, desertification, islands…)

During 2003, IUCN as a whole is also initiating its planning process for the 2005-2008 programme that will be discussed in Thailand at the 2004 World Conservation Congress, and the Mediterranean programme will design an appropriate consultation process as it seeks to define focussed programme objectives for that period.

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SUMMARY OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES CURRENTLY UNDER EXECUTION OR PLANNED. February 2003
Participation of partners and IUCN members

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