Zagreb:Cairo Egypt is spearheading regional efforts to designate 30% of the Mediterranean Sea as protected areas by 2030, as announced by Sherif Abdel Rahim, Head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the 99th meeting of the Executive Bureau of the Barcelona Convention, held in Zagreb, Croatia, endorsed several recommendations. These included the approval of a report on progress across relevant activities and programs, as well as a work plan and budget for the next six months.

Member states commended Egypt's collaboration with Croatia in promoting September 25 as World Coastal Day and urged continued efforts to gain United Nations recognition for the initiative. Participants also called for increased support to Mediterranean countries in establishing marine protected areas to achieve the "30x30" target, which aims to safeguard biodiversity.

The bureau's next meeting is scheduled to take place in Athens in June 2027.