The COP24 conference in Cairo...a crucial milestone in supporting the protection of the marine environment in the Mediterranean

ConferenceCOP24 In Cairo.. a crucial station to support the protection of the marine environment in the Mediterranean

Amid the efforts of the Mediterranean Basin countries to advance the issue of protecting the marine environment, reducing increasing pollution, and preserving biodiversity, the Barcelona Convention stands out as an essential pillar in confronting the challenges ofclimate changeand the deterioration of ecosystems. The COP24 conference, as the official meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement, comes as a real opportunity to redirect these efforts towards more effective and sustainable solutions.

Cairo hosted, from 2 to 5 December 2025, the current version of this meeting in its 24th session. This international event comes at a very important moment, as it coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Convention, which gave the participating countries an opportunity to renew their collective commitment to protecting the Mediterranean Sea and promoting the path of sustainable development in the region.

The conference is considered a pivotal station for pushing joint environmental action towards stronger implementation steps, especially in light of the escalating challenges associated with marine pollution, coastal degradation, and the effects of climate change. Egypt, as the host country, launched an expanded preparatory plan that included logistical and media arrangements, in addition to community awareness programs to enhance awareness of protecting the environment and marine coasts.

ProgramCOP24

Representatives of the 22 states party to the Convention (21 Mediterranean countries in addition to the European Union) participated in the conference, along with observers, regional partners and intergovernmental organizations, in a step aimed at strengthening cooperation in order to protect the marine environment and ensure the sustainability of Mediterranean resources, in line with the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially climate action and life under water.

The Twenty-Fourth Conference of the Parties (COP) (COP24) reviewed the progress achieved during the bilateral working period 2024–2025, and also discussed the adoption of a number of strategic documents and decisions, most notably the program of work and budget for the 2026–2027 session. The ministerial session was held on December 4, 2025 under the title: “Sustainable Blue Economy for a Healthy and Fortified Mediterranean,” and focused on promoting the Blue Approach to development and supporting regional efforts aimed at protecting the marine and coastal environment.

Conference Program

• Opening session
• High-Level Session
• Speeches by the heads of delegations and organizations participating as observers
• Adoption of the Cairo Ministerial Declaration
• Announcing the winner of the Istanbul Eco-Friendly City Award for the years 2024–2025
• Signing of memorandums of understanding between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) and the Mediterranean Cities Network (MedCities)
• Working meeting entitled: “Women’s Leadership for Environment and Development in the Mediterranean Basin”

The side events were held during the period from 2 to 5 December 2025 inside the headquarters of the COP24 conference, to enhance the exchange of expertise and experiences between the various parties concerned with the file of protecting the marine environment in the region.

Main challenges and strategic axes of action

Today, the Mediterranean faces a complex set of environmental challenges, most notably marine pollution, declining biodiversity, and the accelerating effects of climate change, despite its waters being a vital resource for food security and a growing source of clean marine energy. In this context, the agenda of the COP24 conference revolved around four main strategic axes, which are:

Pollution control

The conference focused on promoting measures to reduce pollution levels in the Mediterranean Sea, paying special attention to the problem of marine litter - especially single-use plastic - as one of the most serious threats to marine and coastal ecosystems.

 Sustainable Blue Economy

The conference pushed the Mediterranean countries towards adopting a sustainable blue economy model that balances economic activities related to the sea with the requirements of protecting ecosystems and preserving sea resources in the long term.

Enhancing climate resilience

Discuss the mechanism of progress towards adopting the regional framework for adaptation to climate change for the period 2026-2035, with the aim of strengthening the ability of Mediterranean countries to confront the effects of sea level rise, increasing water temperatures, and the associated risks to coasts and local communities.

Protecting biodiversity

The agenda included a review of updates to the “Strategic Program for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Mediterranean (SAP BIO)”, in a way that supports the protection of the marine environment and threatened species, and the expansion of marine protected areas.

Expected political results

The COP24 conference resulted in a set of high-impact political outcomes, including:

Cairo Declaration

A policy document setting the strategic direction for the next decade, with a focus on strengthening environmental governance, applying clean technologies, and expanding communities’ participation in environmental protection.

Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development

It is the updated plan for the next decade 2026-2035, and aims to support sustainable economic development in the Mediterranean countries, giving priority to the transition towards a green economy, adaptation to climate change, and protecting marine and coastal areas.

Regional Center for Climate Action

The conference discussed issuing a decision on launching a regional center specialized in climate policy and climate data collection (CC/RAC), with the possibility that Turkey will host it, to be a coordination platform for the region’s work in the field of climate.

Reducing shipping pollution

The conference reviewed the progress made in classifying the Mediterranean Sea as a sulfur oxide emissions reduction area (SOx ECA), in an important step to enhance the protection of the marine environment and reduce air pollution resulting from international maritime traffic.

The conference strengthened the pioneering role played by Egypt in regional environmental diplomacy, in continuation of its role in previous sessions held in the city of Portoros, Slovenia (COP23) and the city of Antalya, Turkey (COP22). The fiftieth anniversary of the Barcelona Convention also added additional impetus to the conference activities, as it imposed increasing pressure on participating delegations to move from the “planning” stage to the “actual implementation” stage, especially with regard to protocols for hazardous waste and coastal zone management.

In the same context,The Earth Guards Foundation confirms that the environmental challenges facing the Mediterranean can only be dealt with through strong partnerships and long-term visions that raise the value of protecting the marine environment and support the sustainability of its resources. Based on its mission, the Foundation continues to work to enhance community awareness and contribute to achieving the sustainable development goal related to life under water, ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems and preserving their wealth for the benefit of future generations.