Boosting the implementation of the EU Mission: Tools, Strategies, Knowledge and Legacy for the Mediterranean Sea basin

This high-level session will gather key actors from across the Mediterranean to focus on one of the most strategic pillars of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”: scaling up cooperation and building long-term legacy. Anchored in the achievements and lessons learned from recent years of mobilisation, the session - taking place within the MED Bootcamp - aims to chart the way forward for a resilient, connected and mission-driven Mediterranean community.

The session’s agenda is structured around several key themes: the co-creation of a Mediterranean Community of Practice, the development of skills and services to support regional actors, and the showcasing of regional innovation pathways. Participants will explore how sectoral coordination, capacity-building, and cross-programme collaboration can be scaled to deliver tangible impact under the frameworks of the Mission Ocean and Waters, the EU Ocean Pact, The New Pact for the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Convention.

With high-level contributions from European Commission services and regional organisations, today’s session aims to lay the foundations for a resilient, connected, and forward-looking Mediterranean legacy. Anchored in strong regional leadership and a shared commitment to ocean and water resilience, this event sets the stage for a connected, inclusive, and mission-driven Mediterranean future.

Session Chairs

Representative of CNR
Representative of CPMR

Program

15.00 Welcome by the Chair and opening remarks

Opening remarks focusing on Italy’s commitment to the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and its strategic role in the Mediterranean basin.

•      Gianluigi Consoli, Directorate-General for Internationalization and Communication, Ministry of University and Research (MUR), Italy (TBC)

15:10 Transferability & Strategic Alignment for Innovation

Spotlight Session: Sustainability4MedLight
Moderated by: Representative of CPMR
With contributions from: European Commission, regional authorities, and national delegates

This session will showcase regional and national innovation efforts aligned with the objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”. It will highlight enabling frameworks and support systems for scaling and cooperation.

Key highlights include:

• Keynote speech

Representative of European Commission DG RTD - Supporting the Med Community of Actors - Technical Assistance Programme

• Presentation of the winners of the Associated Regions call

Representatives of IMERMEID (Croatia) and REMEDIES (Tunisia or Turkey - Mersin)

• Perspective on the development of the next generation of BlueMissionMed National Hubs, featuring interventions by national representatives from Spain and Italy (with a spotlight on the Biodiversity Gateway initiative)

Discussion points:

• Local innovation drivers
• Enabling frameworks and support systems
• Future pathways for cooperation

15.50 Scaling Innovation through Regional Pathways for Cooperation

Chaired by: Representative of CNR
Focus: Building replication models and cross-programme synergies.
With contributions from:

• Blue Economy Task Force (INTERREG Euro-MED synergy)
• La Saison Bleue - Blue Africa Summit
• Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership
• Union for the Mediterranean (TBC)
• UNEP Flagship Initiatives and Barcelona Convention (TBC)

16.30 Wrap-Up & Forward Vision

Reflections on Mission legacy and sustainability to sustain the Mediterranean Mission Community
Representative of DG MENA (TBC) the New Mediterranean Pact