The 4th Mediterranean MPA Forum
15 – 18 December 2026 – Alexandria, Egypt
A key moment for the Mediterranean MPA community to reconnect, assess progress, and shape the path towards 2030.
About the Forum
The Mediterranean MPA Forum is a recurring event bringing together stakeholders involved in marine conservation across the region.
The 2020–2021 edition concluded a broad participatory process and led to the development of the Post-2020 Mediterranean MPA Roadmap, designed to support the achievement of regional and global biodiversity targets, in coherence with the Barcelona Convention framework.
At mid-way to 2030, a new edition of the Mediterranean MPA Forum is needed. The 2026 edition will build on this process and provide an opportunity to take stock of progress, share experiences, and contribute to shaping the next steps towards 2030 and beyond.
Why this Forum matters
Since its adoption, the Post-2020 Roadmap has aimed to foster voluntary commitments and coordinated action across the Mediterranean.
The Forum 2026 will provide a space to:
- review progress in the implementation of the two complementary strategic documents,
- better understand ongoing initiatives and remaining challenges,
- strengthen collective engagement moving forward 2030.
Objectives
The Forum 2026 will:
- Support renewed engagement of the Mediterranean MPA community in the implementation of the Roadmap and the Regional Strategy for MCPAs and OECMs of the Barcelona Convention
- Facilitate a collective exchange on actions, challenges, and priorities
- Contribute to identifying key orientations for the post-2030 perspective with a call for action
Format and approach
The Forum will take place in person over three days, gathering around 100 participants with on-site participation only.
The programme will be structured around thematic sessions centred on the strategic objectives of the Post-2020 Mediterranean MPAs Roadmap and the Regional Strategy for MPAs and OECMs.
A preparatory online consultation will be conducted to inform discussions and ensure a participatory approach.
Get involved
Help shape the programme of the 4th Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Forum by sharing your priorities, experiences and expectations through our online consultation.
Open to the entire Mediterranean MPA community, the consultation will help identify the key issues to be addressed during the Forum, showcase inspiring initiatives and contribute to the development of the 2026 MPA Forum Call to Action.
- Access the questionnaire
- Deadline: 31 August 2026 at midnight (CET)
- Estimated completion time: approximately 15 minutes
Learn more
A first information webinar, held on 3 July 2026, marked the launch of the preparatory process for the 4th Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Forum.
The webinar also presented the main findings of the latest edition of the Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean report, the conclusions of which will also form the basis for the Forum’s discussions.
The webinar presentation is available below. The full report will be published soon.
Financial support
