The 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) will take place from 2 to 5 December 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, under the framework of the UNEP/MAP.
COP24 is the most important regional decision-making event for the protection of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment. The meeting will bring together national authorities from Mediterranean countries and the European Union, as well as local and regional governments, international and regional organizations, scientists and technical experts, non-governmental organizations, private-sector representatives active in marine and coastal sectors, and civil society organizations.
For five decades, the Barcelona Convention has provided a shared platform enabling Mediterranean countries to cooperate for the protection of the sea and the coastline. COP24 continues this mission at a time of increasing environmental pressures due to climate change, pollution, urbanization, and the unsustainable use of natural resources.
During COP24, countries will review progress made over the previous biennium and agree on priorities, actions, and funding for the next two years (2026–2027). These decisions will directly shape policies, projects, and future cooperation throughout the Mediterranean region.
The central theme of the ministerial segment of COP24, to be held on 4 December 2025, is “Sustainable Blue Economy for a Healthy, Resilient and Productive Mediterranean.”
Discussions will focus on how sea-related economic activities : such as tourism, maritime transport, fisheries, and coastal development can continue to grow while protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening resilience to climate change.
The Announced Programme of COP24
Throughout the four-day meeting, participants will take part in high-level ministerial sessions and national statements, adopt the Cairo Ministerial Declaration, approve the Programme of Work and Budget for 2026–2027, and attend the awarding of the Istanbul Environmentally Friendly City Award for the 2024–2025 cycle.
The Conference will also include the signing of cooperation agreements with regional partners, as well as a wide range of side events dedicated to the Mediterranean’s key environmental challenges.
Specific Contributions of Plan Bleu
As one of the Regional Activity Centres of UNEP/MAP, Plan Bleu will actively contribute to the event through technical expertise and thematic inputs, particularly in the fields of biodiversity, socio- economy, indicators, tourism, participatory approaches and climate change. Plan Bleu is participating in selected 6 side events and discussions relevant to these topics over the week, both in person and remotely.
Moreover, Plan Bleu will lead its own side event titled “Support the implementation and monitoring of the sustainable development in the region”, where the Plan Bleu Deputy Director will be one of the key panellists co-organized with UNEP/MAP Secretariat. This side event will echo the CoP decision IG27/4 on MSDD update for 2026-2035 where Plan Bleu and UNEP/MAP played a crucial role along with MCSD’s members inputs.
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