Cairo: Egypt's Acting Environment Minister and Local Development Minister Manal Awad stated that the Cairo Ministerial Declaration of the Barcelona Convention reaffirmed the commitment of Mediterranean states to protect and sustainably use the region's marine and coastal resources as a foundation for stability and development.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Awad noted that the meeting marked the 50th anniversary of the UNEP/MAP and 30 years since the post-Rio Barcelona Convention. She highlighted the progress made in marine and coastal protection and the renewed resolve to address emerging threats. Participants emphasized the Mediterranean's role as a hub of multilateral cooperation and peaceful development, aligning with the Rio+20 'Future We Want,' the UN 2030 Agenda, and the UN's 2024 'Pact for the Future.'

Awad underscored that the prosperity of Mediterranean communities depends on healthy marine ecosystems. She called for inclusive environmental governance, support for the sustainable blue economy, and the provision of accessible finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer. Delegates also welcomed the upcoming entry into force of the treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), describing it as a significant step complementing regional efforts.

Furthermore, Awad highlighted the importance of building on commitments from the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice and supporting progress toward SDG 14. She acknowledged the advances made under the UNEP/MAP 2022-2027 strategy and the preparations for the 2028-2032 plan, expressing pride in the recognition Egypt received for hosting the COP24 of the Barcelona Convention.