Damascus declaration for Mediterranean Environment day
Regional, Environment, 11/6/2000

The conference of the ministers of the bureau of the contracting parties to the convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution and its protocols was held in Damascus on October 31 to November 1st, 2000.

The conference which was attended by the ministers of the environment of Syria, Malta, France, Cyprus and Libya stressed awareness of the Mediterranean Sea with its charter of semi - enclosed sea; Awareness of the harmful effects of human activities to the marine environment, the cost and the fragile ecosystems of the Mediterranean; Recognizing the important contribution of the Mediterranean Action Plan adopted at Barcelona in 1973; Recognizing the significance of the 1976 Barcelona convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution and its related protocols; and understanding the importance of the Euro- Mediterranean and inter- Mediterranean cooperation that are being pursued in the Mediterranean basin.

The ministers also state in their Damascus declaration for Mediterranean Environmental Day to be aware that elaboration and implementation of sustainable development policies requires inter- ministerial coordination in every country and active participation from the public and all the parties concerned; Reaffirming the principle of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development whereby human beings are seen as central to concern for sustainable development, they have the right to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature; Viewing any act of aggression against the destruction of populations, their environment and their resources, as inadmissible acts which must be confronted with solidarity and every kind of efforts and; Determining to give full effects and to ensure complete respect for the commitments made at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development and other international agreements to which the Mediterranean countries are party.

The ministers also decided to consider the 1st of November from each year as the Mediterranean Environmental day. They stressed that the Mediterranean countries will make sure to promote and develop cooperation, particularly North- South; share their experience, to achieve exchange of information; use concrete action to demonstrate solidarity and support to people, who are exposed to aggression and destruction and make possible arrangements to engage the communities and stakeholders in protection the sea.

The participants in the meeting came to the conclusion that the outcome of their meeting will be their contributions towards enhanced cooperation among Mediterranean States to meet future challenges which confront them in the field of the environment, and in particular the marine environment. They added the challenges the Mediterranean states face to preserve and enhance the Mediterranean heritage are still many and varied. In order to be able to overcome these challenges it is important to win the full commitment of the region 's inhabitants towards their environment. There should be a need to install in them the importance to integrate this commitment into their daily lives and to empower them to act for the environment.

They added that as government representatives, it is their responsibility to show their citizens the way forward and the need to provide the tools to enable their governments to act in favor and support of the environment particularly in the Mediterranean region.

However, the Mediterranean Action plan is in fact one such tool. It is a vehicle for Mediterranean countries to tackle environmental problems which, as it well known, know no boundaries. The Barcelona Convention and its Protocols are the means by which to bring about a reduction in pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, protect marine and coastal zones, make maritime activities safer, intensify integrated planning of coastal areas and ensure sustainability development. Moreover, unless the Protocols are brought into force, action in this regard will be weakened .

Last May the Bureau meeting in Malta wrote to those Contracting Parties which have still to complete the process of ratifying the new or amended legal instruments. letters were sent to the Environment Ministers of Turkey, Slovenia, Libya Greece, France,Egypt, Cyprus, Bosnia Hersegovina, Algeria and Albania and Israel emphasizing the urgency of proceeding with the ratification of the amendments to the Barcelona Convention as well as its protocols.

These countries were invited to complete this process during the course of the current year as was recommended by the Meeting of the Contracting Parties in Malta. By ratifying these legal instruments the community of the Mediterranean countries will show its determination to protect its common natural heritage for the benefit of our future generation.

France has informed the Bureau that the amendments to the Convention and several of its protocols will be brought before the National Assembly this autumn to enable France to ratify them before the end of the year.

Reference was made in particular to one particular recommendation regarding the financing of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Emergency Protocol of the Barcelona Convention.

Stress was laid on that the conference was held at a time when the Middle East is again at the center of attention. They affirm, even in difficult circumstances, their belief and faith in peace and justice.

This region has in its history been the hallmark of diverse cultures living alongside each other, an example of the most extensive trade and cooperation among all Mediterranean countries. That must remain the destiny and mission of the Middle East. In this regard, a healthy environment cannot exist without peace and justice, and vice versa peace and justice will have limited significance without the healthy environment that befit such values.

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