On the next 25 September, the Mediterranean Coast Day will be celebrated throughout the Mediterranean area, an international initiative dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of protecting and sustainably managing coastal zones. The 2025 edition recognizes and celebrates their efforts – and invites everyone to get involved in supporting the people and processes shaping our coastal communities.
Promoted by PAP/RAC (Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre), under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP/MAP, the day falls within the framework of the Barcelona Convention, the main international agreement for the safeguarding of the Mediterranean Sea. The date marks Slovenia’s ratification of the ICZM Protocol in 2009 – a groundbreaking agreement that united 21 Mediterranean countries to advance sustainable coastal development across the region.
The Mediterranean is one of the most densely populated areas on the planet and one of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, from rising sea levels to coastal erosion, from biodiversity loss to marine pollution. Coast Day was created precisely to highlight these issues, involving governments, local authorities, scientists, educators, and citizens.
The message of Coast Day is clear: coasts are precious and vulnerable resources, and their protection depends on effective, inclusive, and forward-thinking governance.
This year’s edition focuses on a crucial theme: “Mediterranean institutions for coastal resilience.” A focus that aims to enhance the strategic role of public bodies, environmental agencies, research centers, and international organizations in building safer and more sustainable coasts.
For “The 2025 edition of Coast Day is all about the institutions inspiring impact around our shores. They protect the coastal and marine environment, make the plans, design the regulations, take the decisions, and spread the knowledge and tools. The goal is to build a better, more sustainable future for our coastal regions. As we gear up for the day itself on 25 September, we’re putting the spotlight on the incredible work they do – from implementing hands-on projects that protect and restore coastal ecosystems, to driving innovative policy changes that benefit coastal communities. We’ll be celebrating their successes and exploring practical ways everyone who cares about the coast can support and amplify their efforts” said the director of PAP/RAC, Daria Povh-Škugor.
As every year, the Mediterranean Coast Day will be accompanied by a rich network of local and international events. Conferences, workshops, educational activities, beach clean-ups, and scientific outreach initiatives are planned in numerous countries, including Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Montenegro.
All official events and ways to participate are available on the official website www.coastday.net, where institutions, schools, and citizens can register their own initiatives or find those closest to them.