This assessment is an important and innovative development for assessing the status of the Mediterranean ecosystem and the achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES). Despite the challenges met, given the limited availability of data and the fact that the IMAP implementation is still at an early phase, the 2017 MED QSR brings together national data and information to the regional level. It also contributes to the ongoing work at the global level, including the Regional Process on a Second World Ocean Assessment and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially its ocean related Sustainable Development Goals.