A new step forward for sustainable coastal governance in the Mediterranean
On 2 January 2026, Italy deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Mediterranean. The Protocol entered into force for Italy on 1 February 2026, making Italy the 13th Contracting Party to the Barcelona Convention to ratify it, out of 17 signatories.
This step is particularly significant given that Italy has one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean and extensive low-elevation coastal zones, which face increasing pressures from coastal erosion, climate change and coastal development. Its ratification strengthens regional implementation of ICZM principles and signals renewed commitment to integrated coastal governance across the Mediterranean.
The UNEP/MAP Coordinator Tatjana Hema welcomed and congratulated Italy on ratifying the ICZM Protocol, the world’s first regional legal instrument dedicated to integrated coastal zone management. While encouraging other contracting parties to continue their ratification and implementation efforts, she added: “What makes the Protocol unique is that it emerged from practice, building on the Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMPs) implemented across the Mediterranean for more than three decades.”
Long-standing commitment to ICZM
Italy’s ratification marks an important milestone and reinforces the country’s long-standing support for the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention system. Italian coastal regions have been particularly active in advancing integrated coastal planning through numerous regional coastal plans. These efforts have been complemented by initiatives such as CAMP Italy (2014 – 2016) and, more recently, CAMP Otranto, concluded in 2023 as the first transboundary CAMP project since the programme’s launch in 1989.
Ratifying the Protocol represents an important step towards integrating its principles into the national legal framework. Aligning legislation, administrative procedures and planning instruments with the Protocol’s provisions will strengthen coherence between national and regional frameworks and support a more comprehensive ICZM approach across the Mediterranean.
The ICZM Protocol leads by example
Italy’s ratification also highlights the importance of the ICZM Protocol as the world’s first regional, legally binding instrument dedicated to integrated coastal zone management, providing a common framework for coastal governance and cooperation in the Mediterranean.
In this regard, the UNEP/MAP Coordinator added: “CAMPs remain an important tool for translating the Protocol’s principles into action, while Marine Spatial Planning is increasingly complementing ICZM by strengthening consideration of land–sea interactions and enhancing marine and coastal governance.”
Beyond the Mediterranean, the Protocol has also inspired the development of ICZM frameworks in other regional seas under the UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
A call for stronger regional commitment
At a time when the Mediterranean basin is warming 20% faster than the global average, coastlines are increasingly affected by sea-level rise, heatwaves and erosion. Effective coastal governance is therefore critical for the 150 million people and key sectors—including fisheries, tourism and maritime transport—whose livelihoods depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
Italy’s ratification comes shortly after the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) and the adoption of the Cairo Declaration, which called for coordinated action to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
As emphasised by Daria Povh Škugor, Director of PAP/RAC, UNEP/MAP’s Regional Activity Centre for coastal management: “We congratulate Italy on the ratification of the ICZM Protocol and encourage the remaining Mediterranean countries to join this collective effort to strengthen resilience and sustainability in our coastal zones. The United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2025 on strengthening cooperation for ICZM for sustainable development underscores the importance of this approach. Coastal zones face intense human pressures and stand at the forefront of the climate and environmental crisis. The Mediterranean, which played a pioneering role in developing the ICZM legal framework, is well placed to demonstrate leadership in putting it into practice.”
