Egypt will host the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) from December 2 to 5, bringing together environment ministers and representatives from 21 Mediterranean countries, along with senior officials from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Ministry of Environment announced on Monday. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, said the conference will review progress made in 2024–2025 under the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) and adopt key decisions related to the programme of work and budget for 2026–2027. Proceedings will begin with an informal meeting of heads of delegations, followed by the official opening session, during which Egypt will assume the COP presidency from Slovenia. A high-level session titled "Sustainable Blue Economy for a Resilient and Healthy Mediterranean" will be held on December 4. Awad noted that the gathering will present a report on activities implemented since COP23 and propose a work programme and budget for 2026–2027, including adjustments discussed during the MAP Coordinating Unit meeting held in Greece in September 2025. The conference will also announce the winner of the fifth edition of the Istanbul Environmentally Friendly City Award. Ministers will further discuss the Cairo Ministerial Declaration, submitted by Egypt as host country, ahead of its expected adoption before the final report is issued on the closing day. COP24 will spotlight the role of a sustainable blue economy in supporting a just transition toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. Participants are also expected to adopt several major regional frameworks, including the updated Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development 2026–2035, the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework 2026–2035, and the revised Ecosystem Approach Policy and Roadmap.
