Highlights and images for 2 December 2025

“The Barcelona Convention is a collective act of leadership born from a single but powerful understanding: the Mediterranean Sea is shared – the future is shared.” This notion was eloquently expressed by one speaker, but also emerged as a central vision on the first day of Barcelona Convention COP 24, which opened today in Cairo, Egypt.

Mediterranean countries, the European Union, experts and regional partners gathered at a venue overlooking the scenic river Nile to address sustainable resource use, biodiversity loss, and enhancing protection of the Mediterranean environment. Their meeting marked the first day of a series of celebrations of 50 years of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) and its Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention).

Delegates heard opening statements by: Manal Awad Mikhail, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment; Mitja Bricelj, President of the Barcelona Convention’s Bureau, Slovenia; Alberto Pacheco Capella, Chief of UNEP’s Regional Seas Branch, on behalf of UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen; and Tatjana Hema, Coordinator, UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention. All speakers underlined the critical importance of regional collaboration to address the urgent challenges facing the Mediterranean region, and highlighted successes achieved under the Convention to date.

After welcoming the new COP 24 President, Ali Abo Sena, Head of Egypt’s Environmental Affairs Agency, meeting dove straight into its substantive agenda. Delegates reviewed progress achieved during the 2024-2025 biennium, and began discussions on strategic documents such as the draft Programme of Work and Budget for 2026-2027. They also briefly considered the draft Cairo Ministerial Declaration, which had been prepared by the government of Egypt in advance of COP 24. A drafting group was established to elaborate outstanding textual proposals and resolve outstanding issues.

In the afternoon, delegates discussed two key strategies defining sustainable development and climate change approaches for the Mediterranean in the coming decade. With the broader objectives to protect biodiversity and facilitate sustainable development, the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development 2026-2035 aims to strengthen the green transition and bolster resilience, whilst promoting a sustainable and circular economy. Acknowledging the importance of climate change adaption efforts in the region, a hot spot of climate change, the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Areas 2026-2035 highlights the importance of collaboration to maximize synergies.

During a side event organized by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), two studies funded by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security were presented and discussed. These covered the environmental impact of the use of gas emission control systems on ships, and the possible implementation of green shipping routes and maritime hubs with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

At the end of the first day, delegates celebrated 50 years of UNEP/MAP and the Barcelona Convention at a reception, titled “Voices of MAP,” hosted by the Secretariat. In a brief address, UNEP/MAP Coordinator Tatjana Hema commemorated milestones from past decades. She highlighted the Convention as a shining example of effective regional cooperation and thanked the previous UNEP/MAP Coordinators and Secretariat staff who were instrumental in shaping the Convention. Several of them provided their perspectives and shared experiences stressing the importance of the rich shared heritage and legacy of the Convention to be carried forward by all members, whether it is their “first year or their 50th.”