Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74).

As part of its Work-Plan for 1998-1999, the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) has commissioned the preparation of a “White Paper” on Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. PAP/RAC has been involved in promoting the concept of Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) in the Mediterranean countries for more than 15 years, and has been recognised as a pioneer and a leading institution in this field. However, it has been acknowledged that there is a need to occasionally revise coastal management activities, especially in the area of policy issues. More specifically, even though extensive efforts have been made by a number of agents in the region, their results have not been quite satisfactory. This evaluation particularly refers to the policies tackling coastal development, which though correctly outlined, lead to an output which often fails to secure the targeted objectives. The White Paper attempts to revise the processes and implementation of development policies in the Mediterranean countries, and to propose some solutions and strategic directives for MAP, PAP/RAC, and possibly other MAP research, as well as Regional Activity Centres, in an endeavour to harmonise their future activities with ICAM requirements. This paper can be best used as a reference document for stimulating debate within the framework of MAP activities: conferences, workshops, focal points meeting; MCSD meeting; SMAP correspondents meeting; etc. In this sense, it could be revised and gain a certain level of formal acceptance.