This high-level side event included various partners from Together for the Med who came together in Cairo, Egypt, to advance marine conservation in the Mediterranean.
On 4 December 2025, on the margins of the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) in Cairo, MEDASSET co-organised the side event “From Science to Action: Strengthening Conservation and Cooperation for Priority Mediterranean Species and Habitats.” The event brought together leading scientific initiatives, regional institutions, and policy actors to explore how cutting-edge science can directly inform marine conservation action across the Mediterranean.
Co-organised with ACCOBAMS, the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative-II (ASI-II) partners, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), and members of the Mediterranean Posidonia Network, the discussion showcased how robust data, harmonised methodologies, and regional cooperation support the design of effective and climate-resilient conservation measures. Moderated by Ioli Christopoulou (The Green Tank), the event emphasised the urgent need to bridge science and policy.
Speakers highlighted flagship initiatives such as ASI-II, LIFE MareNatura, and the Mediterranean Posidonia Network, illustrating how improved knowledge on cetaceans, megafauna, and seagrass ecosystems supports Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and progress towards the 30×30 target.
A high-level panel with representatives from IUCN Mediterranean, SPA/RAC, and ACCOBAMS, alongside government officials from Greece, Cyprus, and France, reinforced the importance of political commitment, sustainable financing, and regional coordination to turn science into concrete conservation outcomes—while recognising the critical role of biodiversity-climate synergies in building a resilient Mediterranean Sea.
Read the full article to explore the discussions, scientific insights, and policy perspectives shared during this high-level COP24 side event.