Welcome to the 2nd Mediterranean Natura 2000 Seminar Limassol, Cyprus 14-16 November 2017 A milestone event of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Working together in Natura 2000

General objectives of the Process To deliver strengthened cooperation and sharing of experience on common challenges, including those related to the specific socio-economic context and to cross-border issues To agree biogeographical-level roadmaps for cooperative action

Refocussing the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process to better contribute to the establishment of coherent, effective and efficient conservation systems throughout the EU. to deliver improved coherence in conservation status evaluation and setting conservation objectives and priorities to optimize conservation results at biogeographical level

A contribution to implementing the Action Plan for nature, people and the economy Adopted on 27/04/2017 as a follow-up to the Fitness Check of the EU Nature Directives translation available in all EU languages http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/action_plan/index_en.htm

The objectives of the Nature Action Plan to realise the full potential of the Directives to achieve healthy ecosystems, whose services benefit of people, nature and the economy to boost their contribution towards reaching the EU's biodiversity targets for 2020 to improve the Directives' coherence with broader socio-economic objectives

to promote the identification of best practices in conservation management, seizing funding opportunities, dealing with communication and stakeholder involvement improving governance of Natura 2000.

4 priority areas of action: Improving guidance and knowledge and ensuring better coherence with broader socio-economic objectives Building political ownership and strengthening compliance Strengthening investment in Natura 2000 and improving synergies with EU funding instruments Better communication and outreach, engaging citizens, stakeholders and communities 15 Actions (see http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/action_plan/index_en.htm) Timeframe 2017-2019

Action n°6 Some actions taken so far or ongoing: Bring together public authorities & stakeholders from different MS at biogeographical region level to address common challenges, including on cross-border issues COM/CoR /MS/ stakeholders Some actions taken so far or ongoing: Definition of responsibilities - 2nd Natura 2000 Seminar for the Alpine region (Padova, June 2017) - 2nd Nature 2000 Seminar for the Mediterranean region (Limassol, Nov. 2017) - Several workshops/networking events in 2017 (e.g. on the management of secondary forest habitat types, fishery measures for marine N2000 sites in the Mediterranean, the integrated implementation of the Nature and Water legislation,…)

The 2nd Mediterranean Natura 2000 Seminar The Seminar is a milestone in a continuing process of networking, information sharing and knowledge building. It should identify and, where possible, agree a biogeographical-level roadmap for cooperative action Discussions in the four groups should use the Seminar Input Document as a basis and starting point for the discussions.

Four Thematic Working Groups 1. Assessment and sustainable development of ecosystems (incl. restoration priorities, interpretation of habitats, favourable reference values…) 2. Conservation objectives, monitoring and evaluation (incl. integrated planning, ways to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures, …) 3. Effective governance models (incl. participatory approaches …) 4. Addressing threats and pressures on Mediterranean habitats and species

Main steps to achieve specific outcomes Primary Steps Outcomes 1 State where we are currently Know what practical measures and actions are required to maintain or improve habitats’ condition and status. 2 Agree priorities for progress   Identify common problems and issues defined and scope for cooperative actions. 3 Agree what we need to do Collaborative actions for shared priorities, matched by commitments to act on the priorities so that work gets done. 4 Communicate: Share knowledge and best practice, publish results of networking events Using the follow-up events and the Natura 2000 Communication Platform