The Plan of Action for a Model Mediterranean Sea (PAMEx) demonstrated its pivotal role as a regional cooperation platform during the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), held in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025.
Under the Greek Presidency, PAMEx hosted a side event titled “PAMEx: A Platform for Cooperation Towards a Model Mediterranean Sea by 2030” on 10 June 2025. The event spotlighted the initiative’s achievements and future outlook.
Opening the session, Mr. Petros Varelidis, Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water at the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy and current Chair of PAMEx, highlighted key milestones reached under the Greek Presidency. He also introduced speakers from Morocco, Italy, France, REMPEC, and PLIFF, who addressed critical issues such as marine pollution, including plastics, marine biodiversity, sustainable maritime transport, and PAMEx’s financial instrument (PLIFF).
The UNEP/MAP Secretariat, which acts as the Technical Secretariat of PAMEx, co-opened the meeting together with the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, underscoring UNEP/MAP’s role in advancing regional cooperation under the MAP/Barcelona Convention. In his opening remarks, the UNEP/MAP representative highlighted the 50 years of achievements of UNEP/MAP and the 30 years of the Post-Rio amended Barcelona Convention, reaffirming the shared commitment towards a healthy Mediterranean Sea and coast.
PAMEx serves as a political and technical framework to accelerate action for nature and climate in the Mediterranean. Its secretariat is hosted by the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit, underscoring its strong foundation in the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.
Meeting Agenda
1. PAMEx Ambition and achievements
Mr. Petros Varelidis
Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water, Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, Chair of PAMEx
2. INC 5.2 and the Mediterranean experience on Plastic Pollution
A long experience of cooperation between Mediterranean countries to reduce marine pollution in the framework of the Barcelona Convention
Mrs. Nassira Rheyati
Head of the International Cooperation Division, Partnership, Communication and Cooperation Directorate, Sustainable Development Department, Ministry for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco
PAMEx contributions to the INC 5.2 process and future prospects
Mr. Francesco Tomas
General Director for Biodiversity and Sea Protection of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
3. Working towards the 30x30 target in the Mediterranean
Mr. Nabil Medaghri Alaoui
Global Ocean Protection Policy Officer, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
4. Study on the implementation of possible Green Shipping Routes (Corridors) and Maritime Hubs (Green Hubs) to reduce GHG emissions from shipping in the Mediterranean region
Mr. Ivan Sammut
Head of Office, Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC, IMO-UNEP/MAP)
5. The PLIFF: PAMEX financial vehicle: first results and next steps for implementation
Mr. David Albertani
Chief Executive Officer, Catalytic Finance
How we envisage the role of PAMEx in the future?
Mr. Petros Varelidis (Chair of PAMEx) with Mr. Nabil Medaghri Alaoui, Global Ocean Protection Policy Officer, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
