On October 29th, more than 80 participants from across the Mediterranean joined the Natural Heritage Mission’s 2nd Working Groups Webinar for 2025.
Organised by Plan Bleu, with the support of all Mission’s partners, this webinar allowed us to come together, share progress and prepare for major policy upcoming events across the region, such as the 10th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum, the Natural Heritage Mission Institutional Dialogue, and the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention.
Setting the Scene
The webinar’s opening session included a welcome to new projects joining the Mission’s Community of Practice and an overview of the day’s agenda. Presentations introduced the main policy moments shaping the regional context — including the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), the 50th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention, and the New Pact for the Mediterranean. Building on the 2024 NHM Annual Institutional Dialogue, which addressed marine and coastal restoration, this session turned attention to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, with a particular focus on forests and wetlands.
Mediterranean Policy Outlook
The first session provided updates on the Annual Institutional Dialogue, the UfM Regional Forum, and COP24, highlighting how these processes intersect with the Mission’s objectives. Discussions focused on the need to integrate Mediterranean priorities into broader policy frameworks, with attention to sustainable blue economy, marine biodiversity, and climate adaptation. Alexandra Sensi, from UfM, added on in this direction.
Discussions also included the new regional initiatives, such as the Blue Economy Roadmap, Med Green Week, and the 100 MPA MedAlliance, as well as ongoing work on marine litter reduction and green finance.
From Legal Frameworks to Implementation
The following session examined legal instruments and policies in the Mediterranean, presenting findings from the study concluded by the Region of Sardinia (Dialogue4Nature Partner) with the technical support of Daniela Addis Law Firm Environment & Sea. The analysis showed that while strong frameworks exist, the challenge lies in implementation, as limited coordination, insufficient financing, and weak enforcement continue to slow progress.
Participants shared experiences from across the region, emphasizing participatory approaches, environmental contracts, and integrated coastal management, as effective tools for bridging the gap between policy and practice. Through a live Mentimeter poll, we also gathered shared priorities: strengthening accountability, raising public awareness, and ensuring that environmental protection remains central to policy development.
Insights from Thematic Projects
Mission projects presented their latest results and recommendations:
- Wetlands4Change demonstrated how wetland restoration can support both biodiversity and climate goals through innovative approaches such as carbon credit mechanisms. [presentation]
- StrategyMedFor shared progress on a Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management, supported by data-driven tools and long-term indicators. [presentation]
- WE GO COOP announced the creation of a Community of Practice on Wetland Governance, following the signing of more than 250 wetland contracts across the region. [presentation]
- LocAll4Flood showcased pilot activities applying nature-based solutions and early warning systems to reduce flood risks. [presentation]
Looking Ahead
The webinar concluded with an invitation for participants to contribute further to the Mission’s policy recommendations ahead of the Institutional Dialogue event in Barcelona (25–27 November).
It also reminded us of the strength of our Mediterranean community: diverse yet united, towards advancing collective action for a greener, more sustainable, and inclusive Mediterranean.
