IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the Network of Marine Protected Area Managers in the Mediterranean (MedPAN) signed a new memorandum of understanding on 18 November 2014, with the aim of enhancing coordination in scientific research related to ecosystem services, sustainable development and reduction of poverty in the region.

The agreement was signed at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney.

The two organizations will work together on the evaluation of the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (MPA) roadmap until 2020, the development of a common MPA database (MAPAMED) and the organization of the 2016 Mediterranean MPA forum.

‘There is currently an imbalance in protected areas in the Mediterranean, with 83 per cent of them located on the north-western shores of the basin. We need a better balance in protected areas in the region to ensure a healthy coastal and marine environment for the future. We also need to make sure that they are effectively managed. We hope that this cooperation will contribute to a more sustainable use of the marine resources in the Mediterranean,' said Antonio Troya, Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

‘The success of the MedPAN network is based on the actions and the involvement of its members and partners,' said Purificació Canals, Chairwoman of MedPAN. ‘As a strategic partner, IUCN is one of the organizations that implements the network's 2013-2017 strategy and this agreement reinforces our existing close ties. We are looking forward to continuing working together to improve the network of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean.'

The Memorandum of Cooperation will remain in force until 31 December 2016.

For further information please contact Alain Jeudy

Photo: Purificació Canals and Antonio Troya signing the IUCN-MedPAN agreement. © IUCN-Med