Egypt to Host the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea
Egypt is set to host the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean from December 2 to 5, 2025, in Cairo. The event will bring together ministers, senior officials, and environmental experts from Mediterranean countries to discuss collective action toward a healthier and more resilient sea.
The 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) will provide an important platform for cooperation among Mediterranean nations. The Convention’s main objectives are to assess and control marine pollution; ensure sustainable management of natural marine and coastal resources; integrate environmental considerations into social and economic development; protect the marine environment and coastal zones through prevention, reduction, and, as far as possible, elimination of pollution—whether land- or sea-based; safeguard the natural and cultural heritage; strengthen solidarity among Mediterranean coastal States; and contribute to improving the quality of life across the region.
Extensive Preparations Underway
Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, Dr. Manal Awad, has been holding a series of intensive meetings with national task forces and organizing committees to follow up on technical and logistical arrangements. These efforts include finalizing the draft ministerial declaration that will be adopted at the conclusion of the conference.
Key Themes on the Agenda
The COP24 discussions will focus on advancing a sustainable blue economy, tackling climate change impacts, reducing marine pollution—especially plastic waste, and protecting marine and coastal biodiversity. Delegates will also review progress reports from the Convention’s regional activity centers, which play a vital role in implementing the Convention’s protocols and programs across the Mediterranean basin.
Main Conference Outcomes Expected
One of the key outcomes will be the adoption of the new Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Coastal and Marine Areas (RCCAF 2026–2035). Delegates will also evaluate national strategies and action plans aimed at reducing pollution and review the progress of programs carried out in previous years.
Broad Regional Participation
In the run-up to COP24, several preparatory meetings were held by the Convention’s regional centers in various European and Mediterranean countries. These sessions focused on topics such as coastal zone planning, transitioning to low-carbon maritime transport, the Convention’s communication strategy, and the protection of special areas and biodiversity. The outcomes of these meetings will be presented and discussed in Cairo.
Significance of Egypt’s Host Role
Hosting COP24 marks a significant milestone for Egypt and for the Barcelona Convention. Following the achievements of COP23 in Slovenia, the Cairo conference is expected to further solidify Egypt’s role as a regional hub for environmental dialogue and climate action. It also provides a platform to showcase Egypt’s own efforts in addressing environmental challenges and promoting marine and climate resilience both regionally and globally.
Highlights from the Previous COP
The 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) took place in December 2023 in Portorož, Slovenia, where parties adopted several key decisions, including a roadmap for advancing marine spatial planning, expanding the protection of endangered species and marine protected areas, and updating strategies to curb land-based sources of pollution. The conference also launched initiatives to strengthen regional partnerships for the sustainable management of marine resources in the Mediterranean.
Background on the Barcelona Convention
The Barcelona Convention was signed in 1976 and entered into force in 1978 as the first regional agreement under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to protect the marine environment of the Mediterranean Sea from pollution. Today, it includes 22 Contracting Parties and operates through several specialized protocols that address issues such as marine pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and coastal zone management. The Convention remains one of the most important legal and institutional frameworks for environmental protection in the Mediterranean region.
Egypt to Host the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea
