English

UNEP(DEPI)/MED IG 20/8
Page 15
107. Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Director of UNEP/Division of Policy Implementation, thanked the
Contracting Parties for reaffirming their confidence in UNEP and welcomed the spirit of
cooperation and compromise that had enabled them to meet the challenge of adopting a
budget for 2012–2013.
108. The Coordinator said that the frank discussion of complex issues at the Meeting had
paved the way for the significant work ahead, and that the experience of the Barcelona
Convention including the just adopted set of 11 ecological objectives would be provided for
the Rio+20 summit.
109. The representative of France said that his country had been honoured to host the
Meeting, and stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to environmental
problems in the Mediterranean.
110. The Meeting expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the French authorities for
their hospitality and their contribution to the successful conclusion of the 17th Meeting of the
Contracting Parties.
111. Following the customary exchange of courtesies, the President declared the Meeting
closed at 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 February 2012.