The Agreement’s Areas of Competence
The RAMOGE Agreement takes its name from the first syllables of the three cities that defined its initial area of competence: Saint-Raphaël to the west, Monaco, and Genoa to the east. In 1981, five years after its creation, this area was expanded to include the territorial waters (12 nautical miles) from the Rhône estuary to the tip of Liguria. Today, this boundary defines the area of action for coastal zone preservation initiatives.
The RAMOGEPOL area of competence, focused on pollution control actions, is larger: it extends to Capo d’Anzio and includes Corsica and northern Sardinia. An even broader intervention area can be activated upon request (see tab combating pollution).
Three fields of activity
Three working groups
Preservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity | Optimisation of the fight against pollution | Awareness-raising
1 Integrated Coastal Zone Management (GIZC Group)
This group deals with marine ecosystem issues and carries out scientific studies to improve knowledge on the conservation of habitats and to assess human impacts. This work is essential to propose effective protection measures and solutions.
2 Prevention and Fight against Pollution (PLCP Group)
This group works to optimise the fight against pollution and harmonise the repression of illegal discharges. After the sinking of the oil tanker Haven in 1991, the three countries of the Agreement decided to provide a coordinated response to any pollution incident at sea to ensure maximum efficiency in the fight against it.
To this aim, the Agreement adopted a pollution response plan in 1993 called the RAMOGEPOL Plan. Based on this plan, the working group carries out a simulation exercise every year to train the teams of the three countries in a fictitious pollution area.
The working group members also work to strengthen international cooperation in the Mediterranean basin.
3 Awareness-Raising Group
RAMOGE designs awareness-raising programmes and educational tools targeting the various key players in marine conservation (local authorities, port or mooring area managers, shipping companies, boaters, fishers, divers, the general public, etc.).
The organisational structure of the RAMOGE Agreement consists of a Commission, a Technical Committee, Working Groups and a Permanent Secretariat.
The RAMOGE Commission is made up of the delegations of representatives of the three member countries’ governments. The Commission is the decision-making body, establishes the programme of activities for the biennium and allocates the necessary budget for its implementation.
The Presidency of the Commission is held for a two-year term by the head of one of the Member States’ delegations. For the 2025-2026 biennium, it is held by Rear Admiral Francesco TOMAS, head of the Italian delegation, and Director General for the Protection of Biodiversity and the Sea at the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
The Bureau of the Commission is composed of the heads of the three delegations. It can be consulted between the Commission’s sessions and carries out, on its behalf, any interim activities that may be necessary.
The Technical Committee consists of experts and scientists and supervises the working groups activities. It highlights specific problems encountered in the RAMOGE area and submits its analyses and proposals to the Commission for approval.
The working groups are responsible for implementing the programme approved by the Commission, providing a forum for exchange and discussion between the scientists, administrations and operational authorities of the three countries. They carry out scientific studies, conduct anti-pollution exercises, produce awareness-raising and training tools, etc.
The Permanent Secretariat coordinates all the activities and ensures that the work programme is properly implemented. Its functioning is ensured by the Government of the Principality of Monaco.
The Permanent Secretariat is composed of the Executive Secretary of the RAMOGE Commission, Mr. Florent CHAMPION, and a Vice Secreteray, Mrs. Clara FRICANO.
Institutional partners of the Agreement
We also collaborate with
