Dr. Manal Awad reviews the most important achievements and challenges that faced the Mediterranean during 50 years
Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of the Environment, announced the organization of the golden jubilee celebration of the Convention to Protect the Mediterranean Environment from Pollution (Barcelona Convention) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the agreement.
She explained that the celebration aims to highlight the most important achievements that have been achieved during half a century of continuous work to protect the Mediterranean Sea, and to enhance regional and international cooperation in the field of the marine environment, in the presence of Dr. Ali Abu Sunna, CEO of the Environmental Affairs Agency and the focal point for the agreement, and Mrs. Tatiana Hema, Coordinator of the United Nations Environment Program and Coordinator of the Mediterranean Action Plan, Dr. Heba Shaarawi, Coordinator of the Mediterranean Action Plan and the technical official responsible for the conference.
Dr. confirmed. Dr. Manal Awad said that the celebration coincides with the holding of the twenty-fourth Conference of the Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Environment from Pollution (COP24), which Egypt will host in Cairo during the period from 2 to 5 December 2025, stressing the importance of this occasion to enhance regional and international cooperation in the field of marine environment protection.
Dr. Manal Awad explained that the celebration will include a review of the most prominent achievements achieved during the past 50 years, Including efforts to reduce marine pollution, strengthen the capabilities of member states in managing marine resources, and support sustainable blue economy policies. It will also highlight the most important current and future challenges facing the Mediterranean Sea, such as marine pollution, plastic waste, biodiversity degradation, and climate change, with the aim of directing joint efforts towards sustainable solutions.
Dr. Manal Awad added that the celebration is one of the most important work axes in the current session of the COP24 conference, and will review the expected results and discuss the broad outlines of the Cairo Declaration as a strategic document to enhance cooperation between member states, with a focus on protecting the environment. Marine, sustainable management of coastal resources, and encouraging eco-tourism and responsible investment.
Dr. Manal Awad stressed that Egypt, by hosting the conference and leading this session, continues its pivotal role in protecting the Mediterranean Sea and promoting regional and international cooperation, expressing her aspiration that the celebration of the golden jubilee will represent a starting point for new partnerships and the exchange of experiences between member states and regional organizations. And international.
Her Excellency added that the celebration does not only include past achievements, but rather reflects the commitment of member states to a sustainable and safe future for the Mediterranean for future generations, noting that the golden jubilee of the agreement represents an opportunity to renew commitments and strengthen actual measures to protect the marine environment.
