UNEP Regional Seas Programme   The UNEP Regional Seas Programme (RSP) is UNEP’s most important regional mechanism for conservation of the marine and coastal environment since its establishment in 1974. The Programme aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through a shared approach, by engaging neighbouring countries in comprehensive and specific actions to protect their shared and connected ocean. It is an action-oriented programme that brings together a broad range of stakeholders including governments, scientific communities, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, private sector and civil societies, to address ocean-related issues. Today, 146 countries participate in 18 Regional Seas programmes, and most of the programmes have adopted a regional action plan underpinned by a legal framework in the form of a regional convention and associated protocols on specific issues. The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans outline coordinated actions to address specific environmental concerns.

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With 5 decades of work and cooperation towards the protection of the marine and coastal environment, the Regional Seas Programme is an action-oriented programme that implements region-specific activities, bringing together stakeholders including Governments, scientific communities, civil societies, indigenous people,  local communities and the youth to “address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through a “shared seas” approach”. 

The programme covers 18 regions, most of which have adopted a regional action plan underpinned by a legal framework in the form of a regional convention and associated protocols on specific issues referred to as Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs). Over 50 thematic protocols on: Pollution, chemicals and waste; Biodiversity & ecosystems; Climate change; Integrated ocean governance; etc have been developed since the programme was launched.

Regional Seas Programme Highlights :