Sustainable development in the Mediterranean region can only be achieved through closer cooperation between the two sides of the Mediterranean and the full involvement of organised civil society. This is the main thrust of the communication adopted during the conference on Sustainable development in the Mediterranean region, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in cooperation with the Union for the Mediterranean and the city of Nice on 6 and 7 April 2009 in Nice.
Over 200 representatives of organised civil society from the north, south and east sides of the
Mediterranean came together for two days at the invitation of the EESC for a conference opened by
Mr Estrosi, deputy mayor of Nice, Mr Ciotti, president of the Alpes-Maritimes general council, and
Mr Guaino, head of mission for the Union for the Mediterranean. Environmental degradation and climate change, as well as problems connected to unemployment, demography and inequality are obstacles to the ongoing development of the region.
One major feature of the event was the plethora of practical examples of best practice from the three sides of the Mediterranean: cleaning up the bay of Toulon (France) and its partnership with
Tangiers (Morocco); managing water scarcity in Lebanon, Malta and Murcia (Spain); urban governance in the Var valley; managing Montenegro's coastal zone; and reclamation of sewage in
Barcelona (Spain). Water management was a focal point of the discussion: proper use, preservation, recuperation and purification.
The conference highlighted problems related to demography, jobs and respect for human rights in the south Mediterranean region; mobility and temporary migration between the three sides of the
Mediterranean; and the need for transfer (particularly of technology) in the context of a close north/south partnership.
At the end of the conference, Stéphane Buffetaut, president of the EESC's Sustainable development observatory, pinpointed the "secret" of these examples of best practice: "All these case studies clearly show that the goals of sustainable development in the Mediterranean can be achieved, provided that decision-makers involve all organised civil society stakeholders. These stakeholders have demonstrated their willingness to cooperate, possibly with greater enthusiasm than the diplomats. Euromed and the Union for the Mediterranean are key factors in this process of
dialogue and cooperation."
An Le Nouail-Marlière, president of the EESC's Euromed follow-up committee, presented a communication on economic and social council participation in the future development of the Union for the Mediterranean. In her view, the involvement of associations of citizens and local consumers is a prerequisite for sustainable development in the Mediterranean region. "We must ensure maximum benefit from the world programme of the UNEP, the WHO and the 2002 Johannesburg
summit, MPC training and the organisation and transparency of associated markets."
For further information, please visit the following website: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/sections/sdo/index_fr.asp?id=1310001sdofr
EN

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The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the
1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has
344 members, who are appointed by the Council of Ministers.