Cairo: Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, will travel to Cairo on Wednesday evening to participate in the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24), held from 2-5 December.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Barcelona Convention is the main regional framework for the protection of the Mediterranean’s marine and coastal environment. COP24 will focus on promoting the sustainable blue economy as a driver of a resilient and healthy Mediterranean, highlighting the links between environmental protection, climate policy, and economic development.
During the sessions, the Contracting Parties will review the progress made during 2024-2025, adopt the 2026-2027 Programme of Work and budget, and take decisions on several critical issues. These include defining the mandate for the new Regional Activity Centre for Climate Change (CC/RAC).
Cyprus, representing the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, has assumed the chairmanship of th
e EU Member States’ coordination meetings-a process underway since August 2025. These coordination efforts will continue in parallel with COP24, aiming to shape common positions for the EU and its member states.
On the sidelines of the summit, Minister Panayiotou will hold a series of bilateral meetings with European and international officials, including the Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, and counterparts from regional countries, including Israel.
Talks will focus on the priorities of Cyprus’ 2026 Presidency, as well as the role of the Mediterranean and oceans in environmental and climate policy. Water scarcity, a key challenge for the region, will also be on the agenda.