The first draft of a strategy for sustainable development in the Mediterranean is being discussed in a two-day conference being hosted by the Maltese government in collaboration with the Coordination Unit of the Mediterranean Action Plan and Plan Bleu at the Excelsior Hotel.

The strategy is built on six thematic areas: seas and coasts, natural resources, rural development and food, climate, sustainable cities, transition towards a green economy and governance.

It seeks to address issued such as over-exploitation or illegal use of water, climate change, pollution, safeguarding ecosystems, loss of agricultural land and illegal developments along the coasts,

In his opening address this morning, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said this strategy had to be put into action as otherwise it would be simply a wish list.

"This conference must send out a message that strikes a chord beyond the confines of this forum," he said.

"The status quo is not an option, and we cannot adopt a business as usual approach," he added.

During the opening ceremony, singer Ira Losco was named as Malta's Goodwill Ambassador for sustainable development for 2015.

The reviewed strategy will be presented for endorsement in Morocco in June at the next meeting of the contracting parties at the Barcelona Convention.