The concluding event of the Transboundary CAMP Otranto project took place at the Maritim Hotel Plaza in Tirana on December 13, 2023, as a hybrid physical and online event. The conference theme Transboundary Horizons: Boosting Coastal Sustainability in the South Adriatic set the stage for insightful dialogues.
Welcoming speeches were followed by panel discussions offering diverse perspectives on the project’s outcomes. Željka Škaričić, the Director of PAP/RAC, stressed that this was the first transboundary CAMP, noting that new CAMPs will follow.
During the panel on the project’s Feasibility Study, it was highlighted how the Otranto Strait transboundary agreement could be pioneering, contributing to strengthening regional cooperation within the Barcelona Convention system to protect the environment.
Discussions included environmental challenges such as tourism, flooding, rising sea levels, waste, and the necessary measures. The importance of data and its crucial role in MSP implementation were underscored when presenting the Concept note on MSP in Albania.
The conference also recognized participants in the ICZM System and Audit Scheme (ICZM SAS), one of the key project activities, with certificates of appreciation for their contributions to coastal sustainability.
In a round table discussion, experts explored how transboundary cooperation contributed to marine protected areas and the application of ICZM. Tatjana Hema, the UNEP/MAP coordinator, highlighted the importance of good collaboration at the national and intersectoral levels in improving the marine environment for coastal communities, calling it the project's most significant value. This success story, she noted, could be replicated in other Mediterranean areas.
The event also showcased animated project videos, infographics, and communication materials emphasizing the significance of transboundary Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
For more information about the final conference and the project activities, visit camp-otranto.com.
