Mediterranean in Action: Communities unite against pollution at UNOC3

by Selenia Marinelliin Newson Posted on

Mediterranean in Action: Communities unite against pollution at UNOC3

BlueMissionMed Showcases Mediterranean Lighthouse Solutions to Restore the Ocean and Waters by 2030

NICE, 6 June 2025 – At the vibrant La Baleine, Beyond Borders “Ocean Futures, Learning and Protecting Together” Pavilion, the EU-funded BlueMissionMed project, in collaboration with the European Commission, hosted the side event “Mediterranean in Action: Engaging Communities and Advancing Solutions to Tackle Pollution under the Mission Ocean and Waters” as part of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

Anchored in the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, the session spotlighted role of the Mediterranean Lighthouse, to foster collaboration across governments, researchers, businesses, and communities to eliminate pollution, regenerate ecosystems, and build a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy.

A Platform for Action to protect the Mediterranean Basin

The event opened with keynote speech by Pavel Misiga, Head of Unit Mission and Partnerships Oceans and Waters at DG RTD of the European Commission, that highlighted how the Mediterranean basin is the most affected by pollution and climate change. Therefore, innovation capacities of all range of stakeholder from public to private should be empowered and come together to act for the Ocean and waters protection. What is missing is to mobilize private and public authorities to scale up the solutions that have been developed by EU funded projects and this is what the next stage of the EU Mission Ocean will support.

Francesco Petracchini, Director of CNR DSSTTA, underscored the urgency and ambition of the Mission and the key role of projects and initiatives like BlueMissionMed.

Chaired by Elisa Conti (CNR IAS), the program unfolded across three dynamic sessions:

Session 1 – Mobilising the Mediterranean

Led by Fedra Francocci (CNR DSSTTA), BlueMissionMed Coordinator, the session introduced the Mission Support Programme and welcomed Innovative Transformative Solutions from across the Mediterranean region:

  • Colin Ruel (Pôle Mer Méditerranée and representative of the BlueMissionMed French HUB) emphasized the importance of national hubs in galvanizing local communities.
  • Anna Rovira Andújar (UVIC) presented SEACURE, a cross-Mission initiative linking Ocean and Soil missions.
  • Vesna Kuralt (Kemijski Institut) introduced REMEDIES, tackling marine litter through innovation.
  • Vanessa Moschino (CNR ISMAR) form INSPIRE highlighted scientific collaboration for ecosystem regeneration.

Adrienne Evans (Technopolis Group) presented updates from the Mission Implementation Platform and the broader Mission Community of Actors.

Session 2 – Citizens in Action

Moderated by Susanna Albertini (FVA), the communication lead for BlueMissionMed, this session celebrated the role of citizen engagement as enabler to respond to Mission Ocean and Waters objectives:

  • Albertini presented the BlueMissionMed educational book “Our Blue Treasure”, a creative tool to raise awareness among young audiences.

                                                                         

  • Roundtable speakers showcased various initiatives, bringing different perspectives in engaging citizens with a special focus on the young ones:
    • Davide Poletto (Venice Lagoon Plastic Free) presented SeaClear2.0, a project that combines robotics for underwater litter collection and the connected awareness activities.
    • Pierre Strosser (ACTeon) and Carine Simon (ICM-CSIC) introduced EU4Ocean and BlueLights, two projects that connect education and storytelling to ocean literacy.
    • Tidal Arts, also shared by Carine Simon, brings artistic expression into marine conservation.
    • Fantina Madricardo (CNR ISMAR) showcased the Biodiversity Gateway, a platform that offers open access to marine biodiversity data.
    • Rym Benzina presented La Saison Bleue, a Tunisian initiative that links cultural identity with ocean protection in Tunisia, bridging the south shore of the Mediterranean region.
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A Shared Commitment

The event closed with a call to action: only through cooperation, community empowerment, and innovation can the Mediterranean become a thriving, pollution-free sea basin. BlueMissionMed reaffirmed its dedication to building regional ownership and scaling impactful solutions across borders towards the achievement of the objectives of the EU Mission Ocean and Waters.

You can download here the PDF aggregating all the presentations from the speakers.

For more information and upcoming events: www.bluemissionmed.eu