Discussions on mechanisms for implementing the global framework for biodiversity and wetland conservation
The activities of the first day of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Environment from Pollution (Barcelona Convention) (Barcelona Convention) COP24, which Egypt chaired for two years under the slogan “Sustainable Blue Economy for a Resilient and Healthy Mediterranean,” were concluded, where a number of side events were held that discussed the challenges of implementing the global framework for biodiversity and the conservation of wetlands in the Mediterranean and how to benefit from the Barcelona Convention in this regard.
The IUCN Center for Mediterranean Cooperation was IUCN MED, in cooperation with a number of regional organizations, including the Union for the Mediterranean, organized a side event on coordination of a technical and scientific support mechanism for the implementation of the global biodiversity framework in the Mediterranean region, and in light of Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity Resolution No. And the visions of these centers regarding planning policies for preserving biodiversity and achieving the goals of the new global framework for biodiversity, and also addressed the mechanisms to support the Barcelona Convention for the implementation of the biodiversity framework.
While the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory carried out an event that transformed the Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook report to present the status of Mediterranean wetlands and proposed solutions, within the framework of enhancing knowledge of wetlands at the level of the Mediterranean basin, to provide a model on how to lead scientific tools to make appropriate decisions, and encourage political decision-making. It contributes to their protection, restoration and rational use, and provides key recommendations and messages to decision-makers, wetland managers, civil society organizations, and citizens. Environment and climate change, Dr. Samah Basem, Professor at the National Research Center and member of the Center of Excellence for Research and Applied Studies of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Dr. Mohamed Khalif, member of the Information and Communications Technology Research Council at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and Professor Mohamed Motamed, Assistant Minister of the Environment for Planning, Investment and Institutional Support.
The participants stressed that our planet’s oceans are witnessing a critical turning point, as they are facing a dual crisis represented by the accelerating loss of biodiversity and the increasing effects of climate change from overexploited fish stocks, in addition to the deterioration of vital coastal ecosystems, as it was emphasized that these threats have become clear. In front of the eyes and present, these challenges not only expose the complex network of marine life, but extend to threatening the global blue economy that provides livelihoods for billions of people.
The session focused on 3 main axes, including the horizons of technology that depend on exploring what is technically possible today. The second axis is how to validate tools and transform data into actionable insights. The third axis is investment and policy incentives, and a study on how to finance and expand these solutions. Transformational.
