Our Sea Is a Promise as Much as a Responsibility

This noble ambition is reflected in the "Territoires Engagés pour la Méditerranée" scheme, which symbolizes a common will among elected officials. Because the Mediterranean is not just a sea. It is an identity, a culture, a unique ecosystem. It is the cradle of ancient civilizations and the engine of today's economies. But it is also a sea that is suffering, threatened by pollution, global warming, coastline erosion, demographic and economic pressure. Faced with these challenges, Région Sud, driven by president Renaud Muselier, has made a clear choice to take the lead, with responsibility and ambition. "We only command nature by obeying it. These words resonate with particular sharpness today," François de Canson likes to recall. This is the result of broad consultation, starting with the creation of an ad hoc working group to establish the reference framework, made up of State services, municipalities, recognized experts, and socio-economic and socio-cultural players. It continued with regular updates conducted within the framework of the Parlement de la Mer and the presentation of the scheme to national and even international organizations (ANEL, Plan Bleu, Banque des Territoires) and to the Comité Maritime de Façade at the request of State services.

Is this an unprecedented project for coastal municipalities?

Our coastal municipalities are not only exposed to the changes of our time, they are also their primary actors. That is why we are launching the first voluntary standard dedicated to coastal municipalities. It works. "Ports Propres", initiated by the Région, has become a global ISO standard, making our ports international benchmarks in environmental management. Today, we want to replicate this success for our coastal municipalities.

Why is this approach essential?

What is at stake here has an immediate impact on our daily lives. A polluted sea means degraded beaches, a weakened tourism economy, and fishermen in distress. Uncontrolled erosion means threatened infrastructure, homes at risk, and exponential costs for our local authorities. Local elected officials know this better than anyone. They are on the front line, faced with the expectations of their citizens and the challenges of the ecological transition. They need concrete tools. Through their respective commitments, the elected officials represent the strike force for the preservation of the Mediterranean, and they never stop working to promote it. Because this sea that unites us, that shapes our landscapes and our lives, deserves more than a worried look. It deserves flawless commitment, relentless mobilization, and shared ambition. Our sea is a promise as much as a responsibility. We have the duty to protect it, but also the privilege of being its guardians. So together, let us make this initiative a model, a standard, and a symbol of our commitment.

Are 94% of residents happy to live in Région Sud?

Indeed, the latest IFOP poll, conducted in December 2024, shows that 94% of residents say they are happy to live in Région Sud. This