Annual Institutional Dialogue for Mediterranean Nature Restoration & Cooperation

Date and Time

24 November 2025 - 27 November 2025

The 2025 Institutional Dialogue for Mediterranean Nature Restoration & Cooperation of the Natural Heritage Mission will be held from the 24th to the 27th of November, in Barcelona, Spain (in-person). 

The recent pacts for the Mediterranean and the Oceans, adopted by the European Union, jointly to the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process (1995–2025) and the approach of the 50th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention (1976–2026), provide a timely opportunity to reflect on past achievements and redefine future cooperation. Furthermore, the recent adoption of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (2024) emphasizes the urgency of restoring degraded ecosystems and fostering transnational collaboration. 

This year’s Institutional Dialogue aims to:

  • reflect on the legacy of the Barcelona Process and Convention;
  • highlight the role of Nature Restoration Plans and the New European Pacts on Oceans and the Mediterranean.
  • showcase successful projects from the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, aligned with the GreenerMed Agenda and the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD); and
  • unfold the Natural Heritage Mission’s Community of Practice by building joint advocacy and facilitating synergies and transfer opportunities

The first day (24th of November) is dedicated to the internal meetings of the two governance projects (Community4Nature and Dialogue4Nature) to plan activities ahead and is organised back-to-back to the main event. 

The second day (25th of November) will explore the opportunities and limitations of the new Pacts and the renewed frameworks in terms of nature protection, restoration, and valorisation in the Mediterranean context as to their implications for or contribution from multilevel stakeholders and the Mission Natural Heritage Community. We will also hold a local and regional dialogue around the Nature Restoration Regulation between the different Spanish sub-state administrations and some partners leading local experiences under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. This afternoon session will focus on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

On the third day (26th of November), we will be fully engaged within our Community of Practice. First, we will deal with a participatory dynamic to extend the Mission’s Policy Recommendations on Coastal and Marine restoration to the terrestrial environment (including wetlands). Following, we will present a wide range of mentorship/adoption opportunities, including potential replication cases and new project initiation (NHM Amplification Room activities).

Finally, on the 27th of November, during the morning, we propose tailored activities for transfer opportunities dedicated to the community members and key Mediterranean actors.

For more details check the draft agenda here.