Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management http://www.procedia-esem.eu Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management, 4 (2017) (4) 235-243 International Symposium on Soil and Water Bioengineering in a Changing Climate, 7th-8th September, 2017, Glasgow, Scotland, UK UNESCO CHAIR CON-E-ECT: PROMOTING CONSERVATION IN RIPARIAN AND DELTAIC ECOSYSTEMS* Dimitrios Emmanouloudis, George N. Zaimes  , Valasia Iakovoglou UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect, Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems, Drama, Greece Abstract Riparian areas and deltaic ecosystems are essential to humans because of the many services they offer that have been over utilized by humans for thousands of years, especially in the Mediterranean region. This is evident by the many riparian areas and deltas that are protected by international (e.g. Ramsar Convention) and European Union (Natura 2000 Network) treaties and agreements. The significance of these ecosystems has also been recognized by UNESCO that led to the establishment of the new Chair “Con-E-Ect, Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems” that was awarded to the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management of the Technologiko Ekpedeftiko Irdyma Anatolikis Makedonias and Thrakis (EMaTTech) of Greece. The reason for establishing this Chair in the specific region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace of Greece is because of its unique ecosystems in Europe that stretch over a length of 200 km and consist of five major riparian and deltaic ecosystems. The aim Con-E-Ect is to collaborate with national, regional and international stakeholders to create an international framework of common strategy for the conservation of riparian and deltaic ecosystems worldwide. Con-E-Ect focus on global matters for riparian and deltaic ecosystems, such as the protection of rare ecosystems, their endangered species, its cultural uniqueness, climate change implication, as well as the growth of their local communities based on environmentally friendly approaches. This framework is being implemented through four axes that are 1) Research, 2) Conservation – Sustainability, 3) Dissemination – Education – Training and 4) Best Practices, so that, ultimately, all stakeholders harmonize their actions towards the sustainable management of riparian and deltaic ecosystems. One such best practice for the sustainable management of these ecosystems is the application of econengineering methods that have gained more acceptances in the Mediterranean. Key words: climate change, ecoengineering, ecosystem services, sustainability  Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the ECOMED project consortium  Corresponding author: e-mail: zaimesg@teiemt.gr