Page 332 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

prepared to form the legal basis of the activities to be carried out within the framework of MAP
was adopted in Barcelona in 1976 and entered into force in 1978.

In 2004, the name of the Convention was changed to “Convention for the Protection of the Ma-
rine Environment and Coastal Zone of the Mediterranean” and Türkiye ratified the re-arranged
Barcelona Convention in 2002.

nd
Within the scope of the Barcelona Convention studies, Türkiye hosted the 22 Meeting of the
Parties (COP22) of the convention, of which it holds the term presidency, in Antalya in December
2021. At COP22, the roadmap for the 2022-2027 period of the Medium Term Strategy Plan was
determined and a decision was made to declare the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control
Area (SECA). A very important decision was made to reduce the sulphur content of fuel of ships
sailing in the Mediterranean from five parts per thousand to one parts per thousand by January
1, 2025. In addition, important decisions were made on biodiversity, invasive species and the
protection of existing riches.

At the Barcelona Convention Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) Focal Points Meeting hosted by
Türkiye in Istanbul in September 2023, among other decisions, the draft decision on the propo-
sed Regional Action Center on climate change (CC/RAC) to be established hosted by Türkiye was
discussed and the decision was unanimously adopted at the 23 Conference of the Parties held
rd
in Slovenia on 5-8 December 2023.

The presidency of the Convention, which was held by Türkiye between 2022 and 2023, was han-
rd
ded over to Slovenia at the 23 Meeting of the Parties (COP23) held in Slovenia in December
2023.

There are 7 protocols to the Barcelona Convention:
y Protocol for the Prevention and Elimination of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dum-
ping from Ships and Aircraft or Incineration at the Sea;

y The Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Mo-
vements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Türkiye became a party to the UN Con-
vention on the Law of the Sea by making a declaration reflecting Türkiye’s views on it);

y Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based
Sources and Activities;

y Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emer-
gency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea;

y Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean;

y The Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean, (ICZM Protocol)

y The Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from
the Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil.

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