The Ecosystem Approach Correspondence Group on Coast and Hydrography Monitoring (CORMON), organised by PAP/RAC on 30 September–1 October 2026, brought together more than 40 participants representing 19 Contracting Parties, alongside colleagues from other UNEP/MAP components, including the Coordinating Unit, SPA/RAC, MED POL and INFO/RAC.
The meeting made important progress in strengthening Mediterranean monitoring through the review of guidance for climate change-related indicators including the candidate indicator with several hyrdographic parameters, long-term sea-level trends and the restoration of degraded coastal wetlands. Key recommendations included using open-source and satellite data, improving the consistency of monitoring and reporting, and aligning reporting cycles with a six-year period.
Participants also endorsed the proposed methodology for assessing Good Environmental Status (GES) in relation to CI25 Land cover change and agreed on the proposed data dictionary for the corresponding indicator. The meeting highlighted the value of sharing experience and best practices from the EcAp Med PLUS project, particularly to support countries in updating their national Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programmes (IMAPs) and developing National Action Plans. These outcomes contribute to more harmonised monitoring approaches and stronger regional cooperation in protecting the Mediterranean coast and marine environment.
As a next step, PAP/RAC will continue refining the monitoring guidance and reporting arrangements, The next CORMON meeting on Coast and Hydrography is scheduled for 14–15 April 2027 in Rome, Italy.