Monaco at COP 24 of the Barcelona Convention: Strengthening Commitment to the Mediterranean

The Principality of Monaco participated in the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the Barcelona Convention on the protection of the marine environment and the Mediterranean coastline, held in Cairo, Egypt, from 2 to 5 December 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Held under the theme “Blue Growth in the Mediterranean: Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Future”, the conference was fully aligned with Monaco’s priorities in sustainable maritime development.

COP 24 took place in a symbolically significant context, marking the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), the 30th anniversary of the Convention in its current form, and in anticipation of the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

The Princely Government was represented by Mr. Tidiani Couma, Head of Division at the Department of External Relations and Cooperation. The Monaco delegation was strengthened by the presence of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), the MedFund, and organizations based in Monaco such as the Secretariats of the ACCOBAMS Agreement and the Pelagos Sanctuary, demonstrating the Principality’s political and diplomatic commitment to Mediterranean protection.

During COP 24, the Principality of Monaco was unanimously elected Vice-President of the MAP Bureau, recognizing its continuous commitment to protecting the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment and its role in promoting regional cooperation and environmental multilateralism.

In its statements, the Monaco delegation highlighted several key topics on the agenda:

• Marine biodiversity

• Pollution prevention, particularly plastics

• Marine protected areas and MedFund

• Marine scientific research

• Economic and social value of the Mediterranean

• Impacts of human activities and climate change

• Role of civil society

The delegation emphasized that these issues have long been championed by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, reaffirming Monaco’s long-standing commitment to protecting the Mediterranean Sea.