The First Meeting of Arab Mediterranean Coastal States and Meeting of the Arab Council for the Marine Environment convened by the Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in Damascus, Syria, December 1982, called for increased co-operation among Arab Mediterranean Coastal States in the protection of the marine environment and coastal areas resources through, among others, the development of a sub-regional agreement between these countries. Before examining. the prospects for increased Arab co-operation the present report reviews the participation of Arab States in the Mediterranean Action Plan as part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Seas Programme. The paper concludes by suggesting specific elements which may serve as a basis for increased co-operation among Arab Mediterranean Coastal States.