Mediterranean Natural Heritage Community Meets in Barcelona for the Annual Institutional Dialogue

Organised by MedCities and CREAF, the dialogue took place at a strategic moment for regional cooperation. The recent adoption of the EU Pacts for the Mediterranean and the Oceans, the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention created a timely framework to assess progress and strengthen future collaboration. The meeting also reflected the momentum generated by the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (2024), which highlights the urgent need for ecosystem recovery across Europe.

Throughout the event, participants explored policy challenges, shared recommendations and examined opportunities to align national Nature Restoration Plans with the objectives of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, the GreenerMed Agenda and the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD).

A highlight of the dialogue was the presentation of several flagship projects addressing biodiversity loss, environmental pressures and governance needs across the region. Among them, the Interreg Euro-Med MIRAMAR project took centre stage. Prof. Maria Cristina Fossi, project coordinator, presented MIRAMAR’s objectives and current progress, outlining how the project is advancing tools and methodologies to monitor cumulative impacts and support effective restoration strategies in the Mediterranean basin.

The event also emphasised the importance of strengthening the Community of Practice within the Natural Heritage Mission, promoting cooperation between projects, facilitating knowledge transfer and building joint advocacy for Mediterranean nature restoration.

As environmental pressures continue to rise across the region, the Barcelona meeting reaffirmed the need for strong cross-border collaboration and evidence-based policy action—core principles that guide MIRAMAR and the wider Natural Heritage Mission community.