Beyond pure scientific research, CIESM is actively engaged in societal issues such as marine governance, ocean law, and economic concerns. Its political independence and freedom enable the organization to make policy recommendations based solely on high-quality science.
Below are some of the areas where CIESM is particularly involved.
Marine governance concerns the legal, institutional, and policy frameworks through which shared seas are managed. In this field, CIESM contributes by bringing independent scientific expertise to international discussions, intergovernmental processes, and cross-sectoral dialogues where marine knowledge helps inform collective decisions.
Through its long-standing culture of cooperation and its scientific legitimacy across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the Commission helps connect evidence, institutions, and policy needs on issues that extend beyond national boundaries.
Law of the sea
Law of the sea
Engaging Local Authorities
Engaging Local Authorities
Guidance
Guidance
Science & Industry
Science & Industry
Valuation of marine ecosystems
Valuation of marine ecosystems
Science as a Diplomatic Bridge
This is the heading
Advisory Role
CIESM acts as an advisory and expert body to various international agencies and organizations involved in marine environment management. As early as 1992, CIESM representatives attended the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio to alert world leaders to the fragility of the Mediterranean ecosystem, already calling for greater protection of the high seas. That same year, the Commission was commissioned by the European Parliament to prepare an independent and comprehensive assessment of marine pollution in the Mediterranean.
In addition, CIESM provides the necessary expertise to support the work of certain international organizations, including the UN, through the preparation of technical documents, for instance, for the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs, on topics such as marine genetic research or dense water formations in the Mediterranean depths.