From 2–5 December 2025, the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its Protocols (COP24) took place in Cairo, Egypt, bringing together governments, regional organisations, scientists and civil society to strengthen collective action for the protection of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment.
COP24 marked a key moment for advancing Mediterranean cooperation on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction and sustainable development, under the shared vision of a resilient and sustainable Mediterranean for present and future generations.
Shared Commitments for a Sustainable Mediterranean
At ministerial level, Contracting Parties reaffirmed their commitment to ambitious regional objectives, including:
- Accelerating climate action and adaptation across marine and coastal sectors;
- Strengthening biodiversity protection, including progress towards expanding marine protected areas;
- Reducing marine pollution, with particular focus on plastics and hazardous substances;
- Promoting a sustainable blue economy that balances environmental protection with socio-economic development;
- Enhancing inclusive governance and regional cooperation.
These priorities directly support the objectives of the Natural Heritage Mission, which aims to protect and enhance natural ecosystems while fostering sustainable territorial development across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Plan Bleu Contribution: Data, Tools and Knowledge for the Region
Plan Bleu (partner of the Natural Heritage Mission), as a Regional Activity Centre of UNEP/MAP, through its participation in technical sessions and dedicated side events, highlighted the importance of evidence-based policymaking, long-term socio-economic analysis and robust environmental indicators.
Key contributions included:
- Showcasing analytical tools and monitoring frameworks supporting the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD);
- Sharing data and foresight analysis on climate change, coastal sustainability and governance;
- Facilitating dialogue between scientists, policymakers and practitioners to bridge knowledge and action.
Plan Bleu’s engagement reinforced the role of science-policy interfaces in guiding sustainable management of Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage.
IUCN Contribution: Strengthening Conservation and Nature-Based Solutions
International Union for Conservation of Nature – IUCN (partner of the Natural Heritage Mission) also played a prominent role at COP24, by bringing its global conservation expertise and Mediterranean experience to support the effective implementation of the Barcelona Convention.
IUCN’s participation focused on:
- Advancing biodiversity conservation through the application of international standards and best practices;
- Promoting nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and ecosystem resilience;
- Strengthening protected and conserved areas, including governance, management effectiveness and connectivity;
- Supporting capacity building and policy coherence across Mediterranean countries.
By linking global conservation frameworks with regional Mediterranean priorities, IUCN helped reinforce the role of healthy ecosystems as a foundation for sustainable development, climate resilience and human well-being.
OFB & MPN Contribution: Advancing Science-Based Posidonia Oceanica Conservation
The French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) is a Natural Heritage Mission partner, on behalf of the Mediterranean Posidonia Network (MPN). Through the coordination of the MPN, OFB contributed to COP24 by strengthening the science–policy interface for Mediterranean marine biodiversity and climate action. Through a dedicated side event and policy engagement, OFB-MPN highlighted the role of priority species and habitats, particularly Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, as biodiversity hotspots and nature-based solutions.
The engagement contributed to:
- Co-organizing the side event “From Science to Action: Strengthening Conservation and Cooperation for Priority Mediterranean Species and Habitats”, bringing together scientific initiatives, regional institutions, governments and NGOs;
- Promoting the conservation and restoration of seagrass blue carbon ecosystems through a dedicated policy brief addressed to Barcelona Convention Contracting Parties available here;
- Facilitating dialogue between the French Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, and NGOs members of the MPN to translate knowledge into concrete conservation action;
- Supporting the newly launched 100MPA MedAlliance during a dedicated side-event.
OFB and MPN’s engagement reinforced the importance of Mediterranean cooperation and science-based decision-making to deliver climate-resilient marine conservation across the Mediterranean.
From COP24 Commitments to Natural Heritage Action
The outcomes of COP24 provide a strong policy and strategic framework for translating regional commitments into concrete action on the ground. For the Natural Heritage Mission, these outcomes help to:
- Strengthen policy alignment for ecosystem protection and restoration;
- Support cross-border cooperation on shared environmental challenges;
- Enhance the use of scientific knowledge, indicators and tools for decision-making;
- Foster partnerships between EU programmes, Mediterranean institutions and international organisations.
Through close collaboration with partners such as Plan Bleu and IUCN, the Natural Heritage Mission contributes to turning COP24 ambitions into tangible, measurable impacts for the protection and sustainable management of Mediterranean natural heritage.
You want to read more on the side events our Mission’s partners and projects organised during COP24? Click here.
