For the Integrated Management of the Mediterranean Basin on the basis of Solidarity

The 77 International and National NGOs representing 17 Mediterranean countries. present in the meeting, the Third Environment Forum meeting in Barcelona, bearing in mind the Declarations made at previous meetings and especially the one held in Tunis in 1994 make the following declarations The environmental protection of the Mediterranean should occur within a framework of sustainable development for the Mediterranean Basin. considered as an ecoregion This sustainable development should be supported by a new approach to the rational use of resources and based on global ethical considerations. such as those Included in Agenda 21. approved at Rio in 1992 and In the Agenda Med 21 (Tunis 1994).

To achieve this objective profound knowledge of the situation is necessary to allow us to respond fu the problems at source and to understand the different situations prevailing in the North and in the South.

To apply this model of sustainable development conditions of peace and dialogue are necessary. between countries and cultures. as well as respect for human rights within a framework of freedom democracy and solidarity. The contribution of all the Mediterranean s inhabitants is also essential in the definition and application of development and environmental policies. without discrimination of a sexual. cultural or religious nature.

We. the NGOs. support the new approaches contained in the modified Barcelona Convention, and we also demand the effective application of the new accords adopted

The NGOs present at this meeting. consider the following points to be priorities.

1. Pollution

It is necessary:

• to take radical action to eliminate pollution at source and eradicate the causes that produce it

• to promote clean production technologies:

• to demand the incorporation of international conventions and regulations within national legislation

The governments must monitor the level of compliance of the commitments already acquired and analyze this compliance in order to improve it in the future

The Mediterranean countries of the European Union rust treat the sewage produced by urban concentrations of more than 15,000 inhabitants by the year 2000

All the countries of the Mediterranean must establish specific programs to ensure that they. and especially their large cities. have systems to provide good quality drinking  water. clean an adequate waste collection and treatment. as well as sewer drainage and treatment systems

The coastal states in cooperation with their upstream neighbours. must carry out an integrated management of the river basins that drain into the. Mediterranean. by drawing up Integrated Drainage Plans before the year 2000. To monitor pollution it is necessary to provide the Mediterranean with a network of monitoring stations and a warning system.

The means and infrastructures necessary for the fulfilment of the commitments taken by the states must be strengthened.

The following proposals must be borne in mind when modifying the protocol on landbased pollution, which must occur before the end of the first quarter of 1996;

A· To eliminate land-based persistent-toxic agents and bioaccumulative agents before 2005,

B· To abandon the production and prohibit the use of organochlorine compounds for agricultural use. not later than the year 2005 To recognise the dangerous and toxic nature of organophosphorus compounds and other synthetic products used in agriculture. To limit their use. while actively promoting the development of alternative techniques and products:

C· To prohibit the dumping of sludge or solid wastes from sewage treatment plants. dredging or industries:

D· To progress towards a minimum waste strategy and to guide the residues policy towards the minimisation, reuse and recycling of waste.

The implementation of the prohibition to incinerate on the high seas must be rigorous Those breaching this prohibition must be sanctioned. including the loss of their license. depending on the seriousness of the case.

It is essential to elaborate a program to eradicate Caulerpa taxifolia.

2. Sustainable Development

To create the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development. at the highest possible political level, open to different sectors of the administration and with the active participation of NGOs This Commission should meet the characteristics defined in the NGOs Declaration of Tunis.

The promotion of sustainable development plans on the basis of each country's specific ecological, socio-economic and cultural characteristics.

The struggle against poverty must be performed at source in a way that is global and based on solidarity.

A framework of full democracy is necessary as a fundamental basis so that environment protection measures can be effectively fulfilled

A Special Fund for Sustainable Development and Coastal Protection must be created within the framework of MAP that should include NGO participation in ifs management.

We demand the immediate signature by governments of the International Conventions and Treaties affecting the environment that they have not yet ratified.

The governments should implement the Cooperation Fund (0.7% minimum of GDP) based on criteria of solidarity, with the participation of the NGOs.

We demand the demilitarisation and denuclearisation of the Mediterranean for peace and security.

It is necessary to carry out a Mediterranean Program against erosion and desertification and to reforest and rehabilitate degraded areas.

We support the development of sustainable forms of tourism. 3. Biodiversity

The Mediterraneans most ecologically valuable ecosystems and habitats must be protected by performing an inventory of natural spaces of landscape and biological importance in both terrestrial and marine coastal areas;

A· by the establishment by the States of the List of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI), within one year:

B· by carrying out a program of non-occupation and coastal protection for each State, affecting at least 10% of the coastal area by the year 2000, which should be extended to 20% before the year 2020; · by drafting and applying action plans for the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and the

habitats of threatened or endangered plant and animal species;

C· by performing an inventory of environmentally hot spots" from urban. industrial concentrations, tourism and transportation on the coast of the Mediterranean and by drafting a program to eliminate them;

D· by performing an inventory of the areas of greatest potential risk (flooding. forest fires. loss of coastline, etc.) and by drawing up programs to take urgent action.

4. Integrated Coastal Management

The integrated management programs to be established must fulfil the following points

A· Specific integrated coastal management programs must be promoted by the governments. giving a relevant role to the NGOs. both in the planning process and in their management and monitoring;

B· Agricultural programs must be developed to avoid soil deterioration. to encourage the saving of water and the use of organic fertilizers;

C· The transfer of pollution from North to South, whether by the relocation of polluting industries or by the transport of toxic waste. should be avoided.

D· Intensive fishery must be regulated and the use of drift nets must be prohibited;

E· Pilot projects for the integrated management and sustainable development of the coastline, should be supported.