PERSEUS has a very close collaboration with UNEP/MAP and as as a follow-up to UNEP/DEPI/MED WG 390/4-Decision, the Secretariat of the Barcelona Convention aims to ensure relevant scientific input into the development of the Mediterranean common indicators. These will be the basis of an Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme to be agreed on by the Contracting Parties by the end of 2015.

Based on the above PERSEUS has been asked to organise an Ecosystem Approach Biodiversity Scientific Expert Workshop, to take place between 28-29 April, at the HCMR premises in Anavissos, Greece.

The aim of the Workshop is to further specify the biodiversity related common indicators in light of the ongoing relevant scientific projects, their experience and data gathered. UNEP/MAP will chair the workshop, explain their needs and use the expertise around the table to implement the target. Experts from both COCONET and DEVOTES EU projects consortia have also been invited to attend the workshop. 

In particular, the meeting will have a scientific discussion and collective view on:
• possible monitoring parameters to be measured;
• available methodologies in relation to the specific common indicators;
• monitoring matrix and scales for each parameter, as appropriate;
• proposals on the way forward of the common indicator developments.