Sustainability is a fundamental policy concept in the fields of environment, economic and social development in rural areas. Agri-environment and rural development challenges have become key issues related to rural development and agricultural policies.

The Mediterranean countries face complex and diverse agri-environmental and rural development issues that include climate change, soil erosion and degradation, water scarcity, increase of forest fires and biodiversity loss. The World Bank estimates that the loss of productivity caused by land degradation in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries costs on average between 1000 and 1500 million dollars, annually.

Sustainability is a fundamental policy concept in the fields of environment, economic and social development in rural areas

Zaragoza (Spain), 16 - 20 May 2016