Egypt officially closed the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24), marking a major diplomatic and environmental milestone as the country successfully secured the presidency of the Executive Bureau of the Barcelona Convention for the next two years, alongside presiding over the Convention during the same period.
The announcement was made by Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, during the closing session of COP24, hosted by Egypt from 2–5 December in Cairo with the participation of 21 Mediterranean countries party to the Convention.
Key Decisions Adopted During COP24
Dr. Awad highlighted that the closing session of the conference witnessed the adoption of several critical environmental and governance decisions, reinforcing regional cooperation to protect the Mediterranean Sea and its ecosystems.
Among the most significant decisions:
1. Reference Standards for the Regional Climate Change Activity Center
Delegates approved the reference standards for the center, which will be hosted by Türkiye, strengthening regional capacity to address climate-related threats across the Mediterranean basin.
2. Support for Specially Protected Areas & Biodiversity Plans
Member states endorsed additional support for Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs) and renewed commitments to biodiversity conservation strategies.
3. Adoption of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans
The parties agreed on implementing integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) plans for the Mediterranean—a core component of sustainable coastal development and resilience.
4. Approval of the Convention’s Biannual Work Programme & Budget (2026–2027)
Delegates endorsed:
- The Secretariat’s report for the previous two years
- The 2026–2027 Work Programme
- The allocated budget for all planned activities during Egypt’s presidency
5. Measures to Combat Marine Pollution from Ships
The conference adopted new decisions targeting marine pollution caused by vessels, advancing regional maritime environmental protection.
6. Endorsement of MedECC Technical Reports
These technical assessments link climate change with key environmental and development issues, including:
- Water
- Food
- Energy
- Mediterranean ecosystems
7. Updated Reporting Frameworks & Sustainability Standards
The session also approved:
- Updated reporting models for land-based sources of pollution
- Sustainability standards for the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (2026–2035)
- A new environmental monitoring roadmap (2026–2035)
8. National Reporting & Compliance Committee Decisions
The final session adopted the concluding report on national submissions by member states, as well as the operational standards of the Compliance Committee, which Egypt proudly chaired for two consecutive years.
COP25 in 2027
The closing session also included the announcement that Croatia will host COP25 of the Barcelona Convention in December 2027, continuing the collective regional commitment to protecting the Mediterranean environment.
