AWARENESS RAISING

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ICZM PROTOCOL ICZM STRATEGIES AND PLANS BUILDING CAPACITIES AWARENESS RAISING

Raising awareness of the challenges and solutions for coastal sustainability and resilience

For nearly 50 years, the Priority Actions Programme / Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), in collaboration with UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), has been at the forefront of integrated coastal planning, leading efforts from Coastal Area Management Programmes (CAMPs) and Coastal Plans to Marine Spatial Plans. These initiatives operate across transnational, national, regional, and local levels, serving as a vital bridge for translating global challenges into tailored local solutions. Developed through participatory processes, they foster partnerships among stakeholders, communities, and institutions, strengthening governance mechanisms and building trust for effective implementation.

Events

Mediterranean Day – UN Ocean Conference 2025

SIDE EVENT:

Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility:
Accelerating Adaptation and Enhancing Resilience from the Mediterranean Lands to the Sea

9th June 2025, Nice (France)
17:30 – 18:45 h
Room 3, Blue Zone

Organised by:
Croatian Ministry for Environmental Protection and Green Transition & PAP/RAC

This event explores the ocean as the final recipient of all waters – linking landscapes, communities, and ecosystems in an unbroken cycle. As the Mediterranean faces growing climate pressures like sea level rise, extreme weather, and coastal flooding, integrated planning is vital to adapt and build resilience across the land-sea interface.

View the agenda for more details about the event!

Mediterranean Coast Day

Mediterranean Coast Day is an annual celebration of our shared coast and a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect it. Bringing together institutions, experts, communities, and citizens, Coast Day inspires solutions, raises awareness, and promotes lasting action for coastal resilience year-round.

The date marks Slovenia’s ratification of the ICZM Protocol in 2009 – a groundbreaking agreement that united 21 Mediterranean countries to advance sustainable coastal development across the region.

Coast Day is part of the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention system and is coordinated by PAP/RAC, the regional activity centre for coastal management.

2025 Action theme: Mediterranean institutions for coastal resilience

Behind every thriving coastline are the people and institutions working tirelessly to protect it.

This year, Coast Day shines a spotlight on the institutions that drive meaningful change across the Mediterranean. From designing policies and implementing protection measures to advancing research and spreading knowledge, these organizations play a vital role in building a sustainable coastal future.

The 2025 edition recognizes and celebrates their efforts – and invites everyone to get involved in supporting the people and processes shaping our coastal communities.

Media advisory – EN

Media advisory – FR

Past editions

In 2022, Morocco celebrated Coast Day, focusing on coastal resilience, as part of the MedProgramme SCCF and Child Project 2.1.

In 2023, in partnership with UNESCO-IHP and PAP/RAC, Coast Day was celebrated in Albania – to shine a light on coastal aquifers – an invaluable treasure hidden beneath our shores.

The 2024 edition of Mediterranean Coast Day was hosted by Algeria. The main celebration focused on women’s achievements in sustainable coastal management.

Want to grow your Mediterranean conservation network?

Join us in discovering incredible stories from trailblazing women who are passionately transforming our coastal communities and paving the way for a greener future in the Mediterranean!

Connect with inspiring women driving change in our coastal communities!