An Expert Meeting for the "Preparation of groundwater supplements to the Mediterranean Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, SAP and Barcelona Convention Protocols”, which was organised by UNESCO-IHP within the framework of the MedPartnership, took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 22-23 February 2012. For the first time, a supplement on coastal aquifers and groundwater to the Med-TDA will be undertaken to enhance knowledge of a unique role that coastal aquifers play in reducing the land-based sources of pollution into the Mediterranean Sea and for the conservation of ecosystems. This supplement to the TDA will also assess the current situation of stress and will lead to the formulation of scientifically grounded recommendations for the best practices and management options for the sustainable management of the Mediterranean coastal aquifers.
A PAP/RAC representative presented the history of the preparation of the ICZM Protocol, including the preceding ICZM activities in the Mediterranean that led to the willingness and readiness of the Mediterranean countries to prepare this legally binding instrument, first of this kind in the world. She also proposed new joint activities for PAP/RAC and UNESCO-IHP, where collaboration on the preparation of the National ICZM Strategies would be of particular importance.
