In order to encourage and reward contributions to the implementation efforts of the Action Plans of the SPA/BD Protocol, the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention may, at their ordinary meeting, grant the title of "Action Plan Partner" to any organisation (governmental, NGO, economic, etc.) that has carried out concrete actions for the conservation and/or sustainable management of the species/group of species or habitats addressed in the Action Plan.
There are currently 9 action plans adopted under the Barcelona Convention SPA/BD Protocol :
- Action Plan for the management of the Monk Seal
- Action Plan for the conservation of marine turtles
- Action Plan for the conservation of cetaceans
- Action Plan for the conservation of marine vegetation
- Action Plan for the conservation of bird species registered in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol
- Action Plan for the conservation of cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichtyans) in the Mediterranean Sea
- Action Plan concerning species introduction and invasive species
- Action Plan for the conservation of the coralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the Mediterranean Sea
- Action Plan for the conservation of habitats and species associated with seamounts, underwater caves and canyons, aphotic hard beds and chemo-synthetic phenomena in the Mediterranean Sea
As part of its 2022-2023 Programme of Work, SPA/RAC is requested to develop conditions and criteria for the award of the title of Regional Action Plan Partner. These conditions and criteria will be submitted to the 16th SPA/BD Focal Points meeting in May 2023, then to the MAP Focal Points and finally proposed for adoption by the 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols (COP 23).
Find out more in the Terms of Reference.
Deadline for submission: 31 March 2023