Report on the implementation of the Western Mediterranean initiative

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 5 January 2023, focusing on the implementation of the Western Mediterranean (WestMED) initiative.

Further information:

In April 2017, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean - which also became known as the WestMED initiative - along with a framework for action. The initiative was formally endorsed in November 2017 by the ten participating countries - five Member States of the European Union (EU) and five partner countries in the southern Mediterranean region.

This initiative was a direct outcome of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Declaration on the Blue Economy, and it is linked with other relevant EU policies linked to the region. The ten countries undertook to work together on their shared interest for the Mediterranean around three goals:

• increase maritime safety and security;
• promote sustainable blue economy, growth and jobs;
• preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.

This report arises from the requirements stated in the Communication, which tasked the European Commission with reporting on the implementation of the initiative by 2022 based on country reports. The Commission must also ensure that the initiative is still aligned with the latest EU aims and policies. To that end, the Commission requested an independent assessment of the initiative that looked at its objectives, successes and challenges.