The Meeting of the MAP National Focal Points took place in Athens, Greece, from 16–19 September 2025. Participants from Contracting Parties, the EU, UN bodies, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs reviewed progress under the 2024–2025 biennium and prepared for the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP 24), scheduled for 2–5 December 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.
In her opening address, UNEP/MAP Coordinator Tatjana Hema highlighted the importance of solidarity, ambition, and openness in addressing emerging challenges. She emphasized that the achievements of the MAP system, along with the political declaration adopted at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, are a source of pride and inspiration. She also noted that the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Barcelona Convention system will culminate at COP 24 in Cairo.
Over the four-day session, Focal Points (FPs) reviewed reports on activities carried out under seven thematic programmes of work. Highlights included progress in reducing marine litter and hazardous substances, advances in biodiversity protection under the Post-2020 SAPBIO, contributions from Regional Activity Centres (RACs) on climate resilience, blue economy initiatives, and environmental monitoring. The Coordinator also underlined the significant achievements of the GEF-funded MedProgramme, which, while nearing completion, has left a lasting impact on regional cooperation. Notably, PAP/RAC delivered two key coastal adaptation plans: one for the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro and another for the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region in Morocco.
The meeting focused on key areas in preparation for COP 24, including:
- Strategic documents such as the revised Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD 2026–2035), the Ecosystem Approach Roadmap and Policy (2026–2035), and the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2026–2035).
- Pollution reduction, including pilot initiatives on plastic reduction, regulatory developments on hazardous substances, and updated National Action Plans (NAPs).
- Updates on the post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for Biodiversity (SAP BIO).
- Governance, with discussions on strengthening compliance and reporting under the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, urging Contracting Parties that have not yet ratified all Protocols or submitted national reports to do so promptly.
- Draft decisions on partnerships and the mandate of the new Regional Activity Centre on Climate Change (CC/RAC) in Türkiye.
The meeting also recognized Mediterranean Coast Day, celebrated annually on 25 September since 2007 under the coordination of PAP/RAC and the UNEP/MAP system. This initiative is a key regional advocacy effort promoting the values and principles of the ICZM Protocol and serves as a flagship of the MSSD 2026–2035. PAP/RAC expressed satisfaction with the proposal to formally recognize International Coast Day at the global level by the UN General Assembly and the meeting encouraged the Secretariat and CPs to advance this process during the 2026–2027 biennium.
