ACCOBAMS SURVEY INITIATIVE II

UNOC3 SIDE EVENT

The ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative II:
a crucial collaborative effort to preserve cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

đź“…Date: Wednesday 11 June 2025
đź•›Time: 12:00 – 14:30
đź“ŤVenue: Théâtre de la CitĂ©, 3 rue Paganini – Nice

 

This event marks the launch of a new stage for the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative, a key collaborative programme which has proven highly effective in advancing the conservation and management of cetaceans and their habitats in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Building on the success of the first iteration, ASI-II will further strengthen regional cooperation through science-based action.

The event will bring together representatives of ACCOBAMS Parties, international organizations, and marine conservation experts to highlight the strategic importance of ASI within regional and global conservation frameworks and to celebrate the launch of this new phase.

 

 AGENDA

12:00 – Cocktail Reception & Photo Exhibition by Greg Lecoeur

12:50 – Welcome and Opening Speech by Maylis Salivas, ACCOBAMS Executive Secretary

13:00 – Celebrating ASI-I Achievements and Conservation Impacts

Part 1: Unprecedented Scientific Effort & Achievements

Simone Panigada, Chair of the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, ASI-I Scientific Coordinator

Part 2: Major Conservation Outcomes

     – UNEP-MAP: Tatjana Hema, MAP Coordinator
     – IUCN-Med: Maher Mahjoub, Director
     – IWC: Iain Staniland, IWC Science Conservation and Management Head
     – FAO/GFCM: Anis Zarrouk, Fisheries Ecosystems Officer


Part 3: Empowering a Regional Team – The ASI I Legacy and Strategic Foundations’ Contributions

     – SPA/RAC: Mahmoud Elyes Hamza, Director
     – Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission: Irina Makarenko, Pollution Monitoring and Assessment Officer
     – Prince Albert II Foundation: HĂ©lène Onoforo Sanaia, Head of Projects Department
     – IFAW / MRC: Sharon Livermore, Director Marine Conservation & Richard McLanaghan, MCR Director
     – Biodivearth: Paule Gros, Co-Founder & CEO
 

13:40 – Official Launch of ASI II by Marie Thérèse Gambin, Chair of ACCOBAMS

Country and Organization Interventions:

     – Italy: Francesco Tomas, TBM Direttore generale, Direzione generale tutela della biodiversitĂ  e del mare
     – Monaco: Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Directeur GĂ©nĂ©ral, DĂ©partement des Relations ExtĂ©rieures et de la CoopĂ©ration
     – France: Vincent Szleper, Sous-directeur Ecosystèmes littoraux et marins, Direction de l’eau et de la biodiversitĂ©, Direction GĂ©nĂ©rale de l’AmĂ©nagement, du Logement et de la Nature
     – Cyprus: Lavrentios Vasiliades, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union
     – Malta: Marie ThĂ©rèse Gambin, Unit Manager Thematic, Biodiversity & Water, Environment & Resources Authority
     – Spain (TBC): Fernando Magdaleno, Deputy Director for Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity, Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge
     – Croatia: Katja Jelić, Head of the Department for monitoring and assessment the state of marine ecosystems
     – Georgia: Tornike Zautashvili, Chief Specialist of the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry
     – IHO: Luigi Sinapi, International Hydrographic Organization Director
     – UNEP-MAP (TBC): Marc Attallah, Associate Project Officer for the Bolstering Mediterranean Biodiversity and Marine and Coastal Protected Areas for nature -SEMPA Project
     – CMS: Heidrun Frisch-Nwakanma, IOSEA Turtle MOU Coordinator & CMS Aquatic Species Team
 

14:30 – Closing Remarks & Ribbon Cutting

 

Confirm participation by registering HERE (deadline: 9 June 2025)

DIRECTIONS

The “Théâtre de la Cité” is located in the city center of Nice, just a 5-minute walk from Nice-Ville train station and a 6-minute walk from the Jean Médecin tramway stop, served by lines 1 and 2.

 

 🚍 From the UNOC3 Conference Site – Port Lympia (Nice)

Recommended option: Tramway + walking

1. From the conference site, walk approximately 5 minutes to the Port Lympia tram stop (Line 2).
2. Take Tramway Line 2 in the direction of the Airport.
3. Get off at Jean MĂ©decin tramway station.
4.Walk about 6 minutes to the Théâtre de la Cité

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

đź•› Welcome and Practical Information
Guest reception will begin at 12:00 PM.
A cocktail lunch will be offered while enjoying the photo exhibition by Greg Lecoeur.