Mediterranean forum on environment and climate action in Cairo: From awareness to action – middle-east-online.com

Report on the Mediterranean Stakeholders Forum on Environment and Climate Action

1. Executive Summary

A multi-stakeholder forum was convened in Cairo from October 21-23, 2025, to address the escalating environmental and climate crises in the Mediterranean basin. The event, titled “Making the Behavioural Shift Happen, Driving Behavioural Change,” focused on fostering a collective transformation in environmental conduct to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized by the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) and hosted by the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), the forum brought together experts, parliamentarians, and civil society representatives to create a roadmap for sustainable action, with a significant focus on achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Keynote Address: A Call for Action Aligned with Global Goals

2.1 Professor Michael Scoullos’s Opening Remarks

Professor Michael Scoullos, Chairman of MIO-ECSDE, initiated the forum by emphasizing that collective behavioural transformation is an urgent necessity. He framed the Mediterranean’s climate crisis as a multifaceted challenge impacting fundamental human securities and hindering progress on several SDGs.

• Interconnected Crises: Professor Scoullos highlighted that water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity are interlinked symptoms of a long-term crisis, directly threatening SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Restoring Hope and Responsibility: He warned that public fatigue and despair, exacerbated by conflict and misinformation, lead to apathy and short-term thinking, undermining the long-term vision required for the 2030 Agenda. He called for a reorientation of communication toward hope and integrity to empower citizens.
• The Power of Partnerships (SDG 17): The address underscored that North-South cooperation is critical. He described the Mediterranean as a “beautiful mosaic of coexistence” where diversity is a strength, and collaborative partnerships can turn crises into catalysts for change, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.
• Empowering Agents of Change: Civil society organizations, women, youth, and journalists were identified as “lighthouses” guiding societies toward sustainability. Their empowerment is crucial for filling governance gaps and driving progress on all SDGs, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Thematic Analysis of Forum Discussions

3.1 The Mediterranean Climate Crisis and SDG 13

The forum acknowledged the Mediterranean as a global climate hotspot, experiencing accelerated environmental degradation. Discussions confirmed that these cross-border challenges require renewed institutional coordination to achieve the targets of SDG 13 (Climate Action). The event served as a critical platform to link scientific evidence with policy, transforming knowledge into concrete actions that support climate mitigation and adaptation.

3.2 Behavioural Change for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

The central theme of stimulating behavioural change was directly linked to the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Participants stressed that policy effectiveness is contingent upon citizen engagement and an embedded environmental culture. Key strategies identified to drive this change include:

• Integrating ecological values into school and media programs to advance SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Implementing smart legislation and economic incentives.
• Strengthening local capacities to manage and respond to climate crises.

3.3 Addressing Regional Disparities through Climate Justice (SDG 10)

A significant focus was placed on the asymmetry between the northern and southern Mediterranean shores. This disparity in financial resources and technological capacity was identified as a major obstacle to achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The forum advocated for an approach rooted in climate justice and shared responsibility, calling for:

• Transfer of technology and expertise to southern nations.
• Development of innovative financing mechanisms, such as regional environmental banks.
• Encouraging private-sector participation in green economy initiatives to support SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

3.4 The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus Approach

The forum promoted the WEFE Nexus as a strategic framework for integrated resource management. This systemic approach recognizes the interdependencies between water, energy, food, and ecosystems, making it essential for concurrently advancing SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The dialogue called for stronger interinstitutional coordination and the harmonization of environmental data to manage these interconnected resources sustainably.

Strategic Pillars for a Sustainable Mediterranean

4.1 Fostering Partnerships and Regional Dialogue (SDG 17)

The forum itself exemplified SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating an interactive bridge between the two Mediterranean shores. Cooperative programs like the MedProgramme were highlighted as successful models for improving environmental governance. The event’s outcomes are intended to inform global environmental platforms, including COP24 and UNEA-7, thereby amplifying its regional impact.

4.2 The Role of Education and Media in Advancing SDG 4

There was unanimous agreement on the foundational role of education and media in shaping a new environmental consciousness. This aligns directly with SDG 4.7, which calls for education for sustainable development. Participants called for participatory education and the creation of Mediterranean networks of environmental journalism to build trust and hold institutions accountable.

4.3 Environmental Diplomacy for Peace and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

Environmental diplomacy was presented as a vital instrument for regional cooperation. By focusing on shared ecological challenges, this approach can bridge geopolitical divides and strengthen regional stability, contributing to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Regional organizations like the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) were recognized for their role in advancing green diplomacy.

Forum Outcomes and Recommendations

5.1 Key Recommendations for Action

The forum concluded with a series of operational recommendations designed to create a roadmap for institutional and behavioural transformation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Integrate ecological behaviour into public policies and development plans to accelerate progress on SDG 12 and SDG 13.
2. Support scientific research and green technologies, fostering a regional exchange of expertise as a core component of SDG 17.
3. Engage media, education, and civil society in monitoring environmental strategies to strengthen accountability and advance SDG 4 and SDG 16.
4. Develop innovative public-private partnerships to finance green projects, in accordance with SDG 17.
5. Expand environmental diplomacy as a tool for peace, regional cooperation, and the achievement of SDG 16.

5.2 Conclusion: The “Cairo Message” for a Sustainable Future

The “Cairo Message” emerging from the forum is a call to redefine humanity’s relationship with the environment through solidarity, awareness, and responsibility. The event marks the beginning of a renewed path of joint action, aimed at shaping a fairer and more sustainable Mediterranean future and ensuring the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for all generations.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

Detailed Explanation

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – This is the central theme of the article. The text repeatedly mentions the “climate crisis,” “rising temperatures,” “climate change,” and the Mediterranean being one of the “world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.” The entire forum is dedicated to environment and climate action, focusing on mitigation and adaptation strategies.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights the importance of cooperation. It describes the forum as a multi-stakeholder gathering of “experts, parliamentarians, journalists, and representatives of women’s and youth organizations from both shores of the Mediterranean.” It explicitly calls for “enhanced North–South cooperation,” “transfer of technology,” and “environmental diplomacy” to tackle shared challenges.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Water scarcity is identified as a critical issue. The article states that the climate crisis “deeply affects water…security” and lists “water scarcity” as a primary environmental challenge in the region. The discussion of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus further emphasizes the focus on integrated water management.
4. SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article addresses marine health by mentioning “coastal pollution,” “marine storms,” “sea-level rise,” and the need to reduce “marine pollution” as key challenges for the Mediterranean basin.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article discusses terrestrial ecosystems, citing “forest fires, biodiversity loss, and the spread of invasive species” as interlinked symptoms of the environmental crisis. It also mentions “soil degradation” as a cross-border challenge.
6. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The forum’s main theme, “Making the Behavioural Shift Happen,” directly relates to this goal. The article stresses the need for a “profound transformation of consumption, production, and social behaviours” and moving away from a mindset of consuming “without thinking about environmental consequences.”
7. SDG 4: Quality Education – The role of education is explicitly mentioned as a driver for change. The article states that “behavioural change begins at school and through the media” and calls for the “integration of ecological values into school and media programs” to promote sustainable lifestyles.
8. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article addresses the “North–South Asymmetry in the Mediterranean,” highlighting that southern countries face “limited financial resources” and “fragile infrastructure.” It calls for an approach rooted in “climate justice and shared responsibility” to bridge this gap.
9. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – This goal is addressed through the discussion of the “Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus,” which links environmental sustainability to “food…security” and “agricultural production.” The article also mentions “climate-smart agriculture” as a concrete initiative.
10. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The WEFE Nexus framework also connects to this goal by including energy as a critical component. The article mentions the presentation of initiatives related to “clean rural energy.”
11. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article touches on this goal by discussing how “environmental diplomacy” can “ease geopolitical tensions” and serve as a “tool for peace.” It also highlights the forum as an example of “participatory environmental governance” by bringing together diverse stakeholders for dialogue and decision-making.

Specific Targets Identified

Detailed Explanation

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The article directly addresses this by discussing the need to manage “water scarcity, forest fires, biodiversity loss,” “droughts, marine storms, and sea-level rise,” and enabling the South to “implement adaptation plans.”
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation. This is a core theme, with the article emphasizing the need to “reorient communication toward hope, integrity, and responsibility” and use education and media to turn “ecological knowledge into tangible commitment.”
• Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article explicitly calls for “enhanced North–South cooperation” and the “transfer of technology and expertise to the South” to address environmental challenges.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The forum itself is a model of this, and one of its key recommendations is to develop “innovative public–private partnerships to finance green projects.”
• Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals to address water scarcity. This is implied in the discussion of the WEFE Nexus, which promotes “integrated resource management,” and the presentation of “sustainable water technologies.”
• Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation. The forum’s nature as a regional dialogue on shared resources like water embodies this target.
• Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. The article mentions that programs like MedProgramme are “aimed at improving environmental governance and reducing marine pollution.”
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity. The article identifies “biodiversity loss” as a profound crisis symptom requiring urgent action.
• Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The article advocates for this by stating that “environmental knowledge must move from theory to daily practice via participatory education, school initiatives, and ecological citizenship.”
• Target 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles. The forum’s theme of “Stimulating Behavioural Change” and the focus on media’s role in creating “human-centered stories connecting citizens to their environment” directly support this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Detailed Explanation

• Implementation of regional cooperation agreements: The article implies this indicator by highlighting the forum as a platform for “joint regional Mediterranean action” and calling for “environmental diplomacy as a tool for peace and regional cooperation.” Progress could be measured by the number of such agreements signed and implemented.
• Level of public awareness and behavioral change: The entire forum is themed around “Making the Behavioural Shift Happen.” Progress could be measured through surveys on public attitudes, changes in consumption patterns, and citizen engagement in environmental initiatives, as implied by the call to “rebuild citizens’ trust in their capacity to act.”
• Integration of environmental education in curricula: The article recommends embedding “ecological values into school and media programs.” An indicator would be the percentage of national curricula that include education for sustainable development.
• Amount of green financing and technology transfer to Southern Mediterranean countries: The article points to the need for “innovative financing mechanisms” and “transfer of technology and expertise to the South.” This can be directly measured by tracking financial flows and technology-sharing agreements.
• Adoption of sustainable practices: The article mentions concrete initiatives like “climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water technologies, [and] clean rural energy.” The adoption rate of these technologies and practices would be a clear indicator of progress.
• Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships: The article promotes “public–private partnerships” and celebrates the forum as a multi-stakeholder dialogue. The number of such partnerships formed to finance and implement green projects would be a key indicator.
• Reduction in pollution levels: The article discusses “coastal pollution,” “marine pollution,” and “plastic pollution.” Measuring the levels of these pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea would be a direct indicator of progress towards environmental goals.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: middle-east-online.com