Ashraf AboArafe
CAIRO — In a unified response to the accelerating climate crisis, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Cairo today hosted the second of seven pivotal consultative sessions under the Antalya Mediterranean Climate Dialogue.
Organized by the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in tandem with the incoming Presidency and host of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), the initiative seeks to forge a harmonious Mediterranean voice. The insights harvested from these sessions will culminate in a comprehensive Mediterranean Synthesis Memorandum, to be formally presented in Antalya this coming November.
The stakes could not be higher. The Mediterranean basin is warming 20% faster than the global average, transforming the region into a climate change hotspot. This ecological vulnerability underscores the urgent need for robust regional cooperation.
Held in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Local Development and the Ministry of Environment, today’s event was co-chaired by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Egypt, H.E. Salih Mutlu Şen, and the UfM Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy, Grammenos Mastrojeni (represented by UfM officials). The gathering assembled Egypt’s foremost climate architects across three thematic roundtables aligned with the COP31 action agenda:
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Energy Transition and Electricity: Accelerating the shift to renewable power.
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Climate Finance: Enhancing access to and the implementation of green funding.
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Synergies and Adaptation: Harmonizing the Rio Conventions with climate adaptation strategies.
Participants emphasized that climate action must progress in lockstep with sustainable development, particularly within urban planning, green transportation, and the dual frameworks of the blue and green economies.
“As the host of COP31, Türkiye has placed the Mediterranean dimension of global climate action at the heart of our Presidency,” stated H.E. Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen. “Our ambition is for COP31 to leave a lasting legacy for the Mediterranean by fostering regional cooperation and driving practical implementation. Through the Antalya Dialogue, we aim to weave the priorities of our governments, civil society, private sector, and academia into the COP31 agenda. I am particularly pleased to host this Egyptian consultation at a time when the legacy of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh continues to amplify the voice of Africa and the Mediterranean on the global stage.”
Echoing this sentiment, UfM representatives highlighted the human cost of the crisis:
“Extreme weather events—heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flash floods—are an escalating reality for millions in our region. The Antalya Mediterranean Climate Dialogue consultations are an opportunity to advance together, building resilience, protecting natural resources, and fostering prosperous communities. Because climate change knows no borders, our response must transcend them.”
In light of these shared vulnerabilities, the UfM announced it will once again host a dedicated Mediterranean Pavilion at this year’s COP, marking a historic first on the shores of their shared sea.
The pavilion will serve as a dynamic stage for Mediterranean nations, scientists, the private sector, and civil society to showcase their green commitments. It will also serve as the launchpad for the Mediterranean Climate Action Plan, a roadmap born from the broader consultation process initiated during the 3rd Mediterranean Green Week. By unifying regional efforts, the UfM ensures that the unique environmental challenges of the Mediterranean remain at the forefront of the global climate discourse.
About the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental Euro-Mediterranean organization bringing together the 27 European Union member states and 16 countries from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. The UfM provides a platform to enhance regional cooperation, dialogue, and the implementation of concrete projects, driving progress toward three strategic regional goals: stability, human development, and integration.
