Monaco played a leading role at the COP24 to the Barcelona Convention in Cairo.

An important new goal has been achieved in the area of ocean conservation. The 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Mediterranean Coast, held at Cairo (Egypt) from the 2nd to the 5th December 2025, adopted the Cairo Declaration, a policy paper committing members to boost Mediterranean protection, while increasing the number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 30% by 2030.

The Principality of Monaco played a leading role in the debate of ocean management on the main theme: «Blue growth in the Mediterranean: towards a resilient and sustainable future», under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Gouvernement Princier was represented by Tidiani Couma, Head of Division in the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, witnessing the Principality's political and diplomatic commitment to the protection of the Mediterranean. Moreover, Monaco's Delegation was reinforced by the presence of key Monegasque actors, notably the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) and the MedFund, as well as the Secretariats of the ACCOBAMS and Pelagos Agreements.

Photo >> The Official Delegation from the Principality of Monaco attending the COP24 (Cairo, Egypt, 2nd - 5th December 2025) © Direction de la Communication Gouvernement Princier

The summit marked the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan, the executive body of the Barcelona Convention, and the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention in its current version, and pending the imminent entry into force of the High Seas Treaty in January 2026. The Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development 2026-2035, was fixed as an official Climate Adaptation Framework, a targeted action plan to preserve species and habitats, notably the "Blue Growth", with specila attention to reduce plastic pollution, increase climate resilience, and guarantee a lively as well as sustainable future.

The Principality of Monaco is fully committed in the Mediterranean processes, being unanimously elected as Vice-President of the Mediterranean Action Plan Bureau.

This acknowledgment reflects the recognition, by all the Contracting Parties, of its constant engagement to the protection of the marine environment and the Mediterranean coastline, as well as its diplomatic role in promoting regional cooperation and multilateralism by the will of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Himself. ***

✒️ Maurice Abbati

• Strategic Communication Specialist, Editor in Chief, Journalist, Executive.

• Lecturer and Author in English in the field of Environmental Communication to foster Circular and Blue Economy.