The Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) Mission actively contributed to the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP24) to the UNEP/MAP–Barcelona Convention, held from 2 to 5 December 2025 in Cairo, Egypt. The Mission was represented by Haris Paliogiannis (MIO-ECSDE), highlighting the role of Interreg Euro-MED thematic projects in advancing a resilient, inclusive and sustainable Mediterranean Blue Economy.
COP24 marked a milestone year, celebrating 50 years of UNEP/MAP and 30 years of the post-Rio Barcelona Convention. The Conference convened under the theme “Mediterranean Blue Growth: Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Future” and gathered around 600 participants from governments, international organisations, research institutions, civil society and youth groups. The event reaffirmed a strong regional commitment to climate action, pollution reduction, marine protection and the transition to a sustainable blue economy.
ISE Mission Thematic Projects at COP24
A key highlight for the ISE Mission was its contribution to the side event “Pathways to a Thriving Mediterranean Blue Economy: Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability”, held on 4 December 2025. The event brought together around 50 policymakers, practitioners and researchers to explore governance, innovation and nature-based solutions as drivers of the Mediterranean blue economy.
Jesús Argente (University of Murcia) representing 2B-Blue at COP24. Image: 2B-Blue
The multi-stakeholder panel, moderated by Jeremie Fosse (eco-union), featured distinguished speakers from regional and international institutions, including the World Bank, IDDRI, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Plan Bleu, and national authorities. The session, titled “Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean: Governance, Innovation, and Coastal Resource Management”, addressed blue governance, sustainable tourism, nature-based solutions, blue jobs and inclusive growth across the Mediterranean.
Importantly, the session highlighted two of the Marine Resources Thematic Projects of the Mission, showcasing concrete results and synergies from Interreg Euro-MED initiatives:
- 2B-BLUE, presented by Jesús Argente (University of Murcia), demonstrated how cutting-edge research and cross-regional collaboration in blue biotechnology can support innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in the Mediterranean.
- AZA4ICE, presented by Yorgos Stephanedes (University of Patras), illustrated advances in circular and regenerative aquaculture, contributing to sustainable food systems, reduced environmental impact and resilient coastal economies.
These projects exemplify how Interreg Euro-MED cooperation translates research and innovation into practical solutions aligned with Mediterranean policy priorities and the UNEP/MAP framework.
Aligning Interreg Euro-MED with COP24 Outcomes
The ISE Mission’s participation closely aligned with the key outcomes of COP24, including the adoption of the Cairo Ministerial Declaration, which commits Contracting Parties to
- Accelerate climate action;
- Expand marine protected areas towards 30% of the Mediterranean by 2030;
- Reduce pollution, including the elimination of harmful single-use plastics;
- Support a sustainable, low-carbon blue economy; and
- Strengthen inclusive regional cooperation, with a renewed role for youth and women..
COP 24 plenary room view. Image: MIO-ECSDE
By showcasing projects such as 2B-BLUE and AZA4ICE, the ISE Mission demonstrated how Interreg Euro-MED supports these ambitions through innovation, territorial cooperation and concrete pilot actions across the region.
The ISE Mission will continue to build bridges between EU-funded cooperation projects and Mediterranean governance processes, ensuring that innovation, sustainability and socio-economic resilience remain central to the region’s blue transition.
