ROLES AND MODALITIES MCSD ROLES AND MODALITIES OF THE MCSD [MEDITERRANEAN COMMISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT] Harry Coccossis

The wider context is changing: Sustainable Development in the future SD related shifts From Rio to J’burg to Rio+20 Strengthening further the international dimension of environmental protection Global governance (CBD, LME, climate change) Institutional changes Multiplicity of actors

The regional context is changing An integrating approach Ecosystem approach Increasingly complex structures

Scope and methods of work for MCSD facilitating environmental mainstreaming and integration strengthening cross-sectoral and intersectoral environment/development policy coordination at national and regional levels A platform/tool to enhance regional dialogue

exploring the coherence of actions aiming at promoting environmental integration in development policies and programmes through mobilizing stakeholders/participants beyond Contracting Parties, IGOs, NGOs and local authorities, bringing the private sector on board assisting Contracting Parties to introduce environmental concerns in sectoral policies addressing a regional sustainable development agenda by raising issues and priorities relevant beyond the national level

MCSD functions forum A forum for seeking synergies among key stakeholders on critical sustainable development issues advisory council An advisory council for focusing on social, economic and environmental interactions to assist decisions on environmental integration A think tank highlighting and exploring future issues

Awareness raising capacity Typical participati on Complexity/ demand on resources Policy suppor t capacit y Forum Global/regio nal Extended/wi dest Simple/high costs Relativel y high Advisory Council Regional Large/inters ectoral Complex/aver age costs High Think- tank Limited Relative/avera ge High

A synthetic overview All three functions (forum, advisory council and think tank) are necessary as they have advantages The choice of function has to be explored further on the basis of perceived priorities, available resource and institutional capabilities which allow to focus on pertinent regional agenda issues MCSD is an essential support to MAP and should be developed in this context and in close collaboration to MAP priorities and programme of work

…. Priority on integration: on the basis of MAP priorities extending MAP’s capacity for environmental integration is a central concern Priority should be clear on Regional issues in the sense of seeking Regionally relevant sustainable development issues and Regional responses to global issues.

Questions on the role and modalities of MCSD The scope of MCSD and the focus on its functions The methods of work of MCSD in the new context The priorities on which the MCSD should work in the future Participation and mobilization of stakeholders