COP 23 - Portoroz, Slovenia

The 23rd Meeting (COP 23) of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its Protocols was held from 5-8 December 2023 in Portoroz, Slovenia.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Meetings and Conferences of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, COP 23 reviewed the progress achieved during the 2022-2023 biennium, considered strategic documents, and adopted decisions, including on the Programme of Work (PoW) and budget for the 2024-2025 biennium.

Accredited representatives of the Contracting Parties (21 coastal Mediterranean countries and the European Union) and Observers participated in COP 23, together with representatives of accredited MAP Partners and Intergovernmental Organizations.

COP23 committed to a green transition in the Mediterranean region and adopted ambitious measures to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. Read the press release.


Highlights

The Ministerial Session of COP 23 was held on 7 December 2023. The session focused on the “Green transition in the Mediterranean: from decisions to actions”— a theme articulated by the Bureau of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols. The session featured statements by the heads of delegations of the Contracting Parties and Observer organizations and culminated in the adoption of the Portoroz Ministerial Declaration.

The Italian City of Genoa, winner of the 2023 edition of the Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award received the Award during the Ministerial Session.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP and Robert Golob, Prime Minister of Slovenia - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder Maša Kociper, State Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia- Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder Mitja Bricelj, President of the Bureau of the Contracting Parties, elected by COP 23 - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
 
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder Tatjana Hema, Coordinator of UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
 
Panel on Green transition in the Mediterranean - From decisions to actions' - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder Students involved in an educational project organised and promoted by INFORAC - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
 
Mario Mascia, Councilor, City of Genoa accepting the 'Istanbul Environment Friently City Award' - Photo by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder  

 





Panel discussion on the green transition in the Mediterranean
(Summary by IISD/ENB)

The Panel session on the “Green transition in the Mediterranean: From decisions into actions” took place on 7 December 2023 during the Ministerial Session. Jihed Ghannem, Public Information Officer, UNEP/MAP, moderated the discussion.

Almotaz Abadi, Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), outlined actions undertaken by the UfM to advance a blue-green transition in the Mediterranean, including through stimulating political will, inclusive dialogue, and capacity building.

Jean-Charles Orsucci, Mayor of the municipality of Bonifacio (France), shared a video on the conservation of Posidonia meadows along the Corsican coastline. Many of these were destroyed by the mooring of ships, but a local project is now successfully reversing this. Mr Orsucci spoke of the need to connect local responses with regional initiatives, and reversely, translate regional commitments into local action.

Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, climatologist at the University of Ljubljana and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), drew attention to the water shortages that arise from higher temperatures, noting their impacts on renewables such as hydropower. She said “climate change is a magnifying glass: it makes all problems grow.” Emphasizing the role of healthy ecosystems as carbon sinks, she said this alone—in addition to motives related to food security, biodiversity, and tourism—is a reason to protect marine ecosystems.

Michael Scoullos, Chairman of MIO-ECSDE, spoke about reorienting agricultural practices to decrease their polluting impact on the Mediterranean through the concept of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus, which advocates for integrated policies towards a green transition.

Yeganeh Forouheshfar, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), reflected on the costs associated with a green transition, noting that the region is still very reliant on fossil fuels. Highlighting the high potential for the use of renewables, she also stressed the high vulnerability of the Mediterranean.

Ahmed Yassin, youth leader, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Banlastic Egypt, provided a perspective of his organization’s actions on banning single-use plastic by some 600 youth volunteers under the age of 25, and its linkages with youth groups in other Mediterranean countries. He underscored the importance of sharing experiences and solutions, working with governing bodies, connecting with fundraising sources, and seeking alliances.

Questions from the floor related to: non-indigenous invasive species; grid storage capacities; use of wastewater; and turning ideas into businesses in the blue economy and green business fields.


Side-events

Side-events proposed by Contracting Parties and Observer organizations took place from 5-8 December 2023 at the COP 23 venue in Portoroz. More information on side-events is available here.

The road to Portoroz

Meetings of the Focal Points of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) constitute a crucial milestone in the two-year cycle of the work of UNEP/MAP and act as a preparatory meeting for the COP. The meeting of MAP Focal Points for the 2022-2023 biennium took place on 12-15 September in Istanbul, Türkiye.

In Istanbul the discussion among the MAP Focal Points unfolded around six main headlines that constitute the backbone of the COP 23 agenda:

  • Consolidating the evidence base for the pursuit of Good Environmental Status in the Mediterranean.
  • Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region (SAP BIO).
  • Taking aim at the sources of land-based pollution.
  • Ingraining sustainability in the blue economy.
  • Paving the way for UNEP/MAP activities during the 2024-2025 biennium.
  • Enhancing governance, implementation, communication and advocacy.

Learn more about the outcomes of the 2023 meeting of the MAP Focal Points.
 

The COP 23 logo and the Host Country website

In a recorded video message, H.E. Uroš Brežan, former Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of Slovenia, unveiled the COP 23 logo designed by the Host Country.

He explained that the design translates Slovenia’s commitment to the regional vision of a clean and healthy Mediterranean Sea and coast within the framework of the UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention system.

The shades of blue and green convey the importance that Slovenia devotes to “blue and green corridors in spatial planning”. The logo encompasses elements that symbolize the Sea, rivers and forests. The shape represents both the silhouette of a fish and the aspect of the iconic Posidonia oceanica, as a nod to the importance of protecting Mediterranean biodiversity.

The Host Country website offers additional information on the logo and on the city that hosted COP 23.

Learn more:

Coverage by the International Institute for Sustainable Development/Earth Negotiations Bulletin (IISD/ENB):
https://enb.iisd.org/barcelona-convention-cop23

Official hashtag: #COP23Med

Video reports (produced in partnership with IISD/ENB):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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