During three days of open discussions and practical workshops, Mediterranean and Adriatic scientists, environmentalists and policy-makers have looked at common challenges and innovative collaborative mechanisms to protect Mediterranean ecosystems and biodiversity, with the Adriatic region featuring high on the agenda.

The debate and seminar, hold from 16th to 18th May in Podgorica and organized by Interreg MED Project PANACeA , welcomed high level government representatives – including the General Director of Fisheries of the Catalan government – environmental institutes and international organisations such as the Coastal Zone Management Institute of Montenegro, UN Environment MAP PAP/RAC, MedPAN, WWF, MedCem,  IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, the and EU initiatives like the European MSP platform, EUSAIR ADRION and Interreg MED.

Governance challenges and monitoring tools by the MED Biodiversity Protection projects were presented to promote exchanges among researchers, scientists, policy-makers and Marine Protected Area managers for an enhanced ecosystem-based management. The event offered a unique opportunity to EU and non-EU institutions to network, tighten their links and share best practices and experiences towards a more integrated protection and conservation of biodiversity and a common vision on the Mediterranean and Adriatic-Ionian area as biodiversity hotspots in need of effective shared actions.

The objective of the Interreg Med Biodiversity Protection Community featured by the project PANACeA is to streamline networking and management efforts in Mediterranean Protected Areas (PAs) as a mechanism to enhance nature conservation and protection in the region. MedCities role within the project is especially related to the Community Building efforts. 

More info HERE