Algerian National ICZM Strategy and Réghaia Coastal Plan presented

On March 23, 2015, the Algerian National ICZM Strategy (NICZMS) and the Réghaia Coastal Plan (RCP) were presented at a conference to more than a hundred representatives of coastal wilayas, national institutions and municipalities, and national experts, as well as to representatives of several international organizations, including UNEP-MAP and MAP RACs, the French Coastal protection agency and the German Federal Enterprise for International Co-operation (GIZ). The conference, which was held at the premises of the Wilaya of Oran, was opened by the Wali of Oran. Following his introductory speech, Mr. G. Leone, MAP Co-ordinator, addressed the meeting participants. In his speech, he put a particular stress on the pressures Mediterranean coasts are facing nowadays, as well as on the importance of strategies, such as the NICZMS, to mitigate these pressures.

Ms. Ž. Škarièiæ, PAP/RAC Director, spoke about the efforts made by Algeria in the last decade to protect its coast. She thanked all those who, during the last two years, contributed to the preparation of this strategy. H.E. Ms. D. Boudjemaa, Minister of the Algerian Ministry of Land Planning and Environment, presented the content of the strategy, noting that the strategy would allow reframing actions for sustainable coastal development, and improving the efficiency of institutional and legal provisions. The Minister reminded participants that 1,400 people were involved directly or indirectly in the preparation of the strategy, and expressed the wish that the stakeholders would now engage fully in its implementation.

The second part of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation of RCP, which is the application at the local level of the NICZMS, and to a discussion on these two activities.