UNOC3 – Italy side event

The event “Sharing Effective Lessons Learned and Case Studies in the Mediterranean Towards a Future-Ready Sea Basin: From the Regional to the Global Context” will take place on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, from 15:45 to 17:00 CEST, in Room 1 (BlueZone), as part of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

Event Overview:

The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (IMEES) and the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) of Italy, in collaboration with REMPEC (UNEP/MAP), INFO/RAC (UNEP/MAP), the EU-funded BlueMissionMed Coordination and Support Action, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP), are pleased to convene this high-level event.

The sessions will highlight the Mediterranean’s strategic role in shaping a sustainable and resilient ocean economy, in view of the building of a New Mediterranean Pact, demonstrating how regional cooperation can drive forward the global ocean agenda and foster an integrated approach to regional transformation and sustainable development through:

  • Effective case studies in renewable energy, sustainable maritime transport, eco-tourism, and marine conservation and restoration;
  • Regional leadership and knowledge-sharing aligned with the Barcelona Convention and contributing directly to the achievement of SDG 14;
  • Systemic innovation supported by EU and non-EU partners through mechanisms such as the SBEP and BlueMissionMed under the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters".

In line with the goals of the UNOC3, this event will also serve as a platform to announce voluntary commitments that reaffirm Italy’s leadership and long-standing engagement in Mediterranean marine protection:

  • A renewed financial commitment from IMEES to support the Barcelona Convention Programme of Work for the biennium 2026–2027, ensuring continuity of Italy’s support over the past decade;
  • The promotion of a Blue Mediterranean Innovation Partnership (as platform/facility/community), leveraging the European Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and the SBEP - and in view of contributing to the New Mediterranean Pact - to strengthen regional cooperation across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East for marine protection and restoration, pollution reduction, and sustainable blue economy.

The event emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing and multi-dimensional stakeholder support, including financial resources, technical assistance, robust policy measures, and capacity building, to drive environmental progress, reduce pollution, restore ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and decarbonize the blue economy.