The Barcelona Convention Youth Forum held in Alexandria
The Barcelona Convention Youth Forum took place on 27 November 2025 in Alexandria, Egypt, as an event dedicated to engaging younger generations in the protection and sustainable development of the Mediterranean Sea.
The initiative was held on the eve of the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP24) to the Barcelona Convention, hosted by Egypt in December 2025, and represented a key moment for dialogue and capacity-building among young people from countries Party to the Convention.
The Youth Forum welcomed participants aged 18 to 30, offering them a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Convention’s framework, its implementation tools, and the avenues available for engagement by civil society and the scientific community.
The event featured a series of thematic sessions and contributions from the UNEP/MAP Secretariat, National Focal Points, representatives of regional and national initiatives, as well as members of science–policy platforms operating under the Convention, such as the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) and MedPAN, the Mediterranean network of marine protected area managers. T
he role of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People was also highlighted as an example of multilevel cooperation for biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Mohamed Abdrabo, Head of the Alexandria Research Center for Adaptation to Climate Change and member of MedECC and Mr. Arthur Pasquale, INFO/RAC Deputy Director, were invited to present and participate in the panel on Opportunities for Youth Engagement in the Convention.
By the end of the Forum, participants had acquired practical knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the implementation of the Protocols of the Barcelona Convention and the activities of its Regional Activity Centres.
The main beneficiaries of the initiative were young Egyptian activists and early-career professionals working in the fields of peace, development, and environmental protection across the Mediterranean. The Forum also generated positive outcomes for partner institutions such as UNEP- MAP and MedECC, which will be able to expand opportunities for youth participation in the future.
The Forum laid the groundwork for further Mediterranean youth activities and networks, contributing to the vision of a more sustainable Mediterranean in line with the Pact for the Mediterranean, the work of the UN Ocean Conference, and the perspectives outlined in Plan Bleu’s Med2050 Report.