First reactions from science to the Pact for the Mediterranean

The brand new Pact for the Mediterranean is encouraging news because it is a statement of intent for an action plan focused on reshaping our essential relations in the Common Mediterranean Space. The 28th November 2025 markes another milestone, as the document is proposed for political endorsement by the EU and southern Mediterranean partners on the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) 10th Regional Forum named 'Together for a Stronger Euro-Mediterranean Partnership', to be held in Barcelona.  

From a scientific perspective, at CREAF we appreciate that, on the one hand, the Pact pays close attention to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss and on the other, it highlights the importance of promoting evidence-informed policy making and knowledge sharing. We also greatly value its focus on education as a determining factor for advancing towards a sustainable and resilient Mediterranean.  

The document, released in October 2025, represents a constructive step forward, as it is the result of an extensive consultation process across the Mediterranean, involving governments, research centers, civil society, youth representatives, international organizations, and private sector, among others. It also upgrades the strategic framework between the EU and its ten Southern Mediterranean partners: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.  

A Mediterranean Science-Diplomacy Center such as the raised in the Pact is one of the key instruments to achieve the evidence-based policy making and knowledge sharing schemes, among other complementary initiatives. It would have the potential to leverage scientific cooperation on shared environment, whereas would strengthen ties between the South and the North shores and improve evidence-based decision making. This is an endeavour in which CREAF could provide first-hand experience and establish active collaboration, focused on building trust through science and knowledge. In fact, CREAF has  already collaborated with the UfM on its science diplomacy initiatives,  as coordinators of the webinar 'Science and Innovation Diplomacy in the Mediterranean' held in Barcelona in 2021.  

Besides science diplomacy, we welcome the agreement suggests creating certain regional bodies and initiatives connecting science and practice in its widest sense. The European Firefighting Hub based in Cyprus is one of them, as well as prooposals like etablishing new Agri-food policy partnership dialogues with southern partners, creating and further developing innovation and research centers involving innovation and startups, as well as to forge the Mediterranean University and to set up a Med Skill Tracker. Unlocking the potential of education to bridge futures – through mentoring programs and fostering Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the Horizon Europe Programme– is more timely than ever. 

As a framework, the document developes initiatives in a broad spectrum of key topics critical for the region. CREAF can play a valuable constructive role in developing several priorities mentioned in the Pact. Projects related  to climate change and biodiversity loss, climate adaptation and mitigation, wildfires, drought, water scarcity, floods and extreme weather events, soil health and food security are core issues for CREAF. The talent mobility of both researchers and staff in certain scientific domains is also aligned with our priorities in the area.

The scientific collaboration among countries to address both the national environmental problems each country faces and the regional common crises is definitely relevant. It is well known the Mediterranean is one of the main  climate hotspots, emerging health threats, leading to eventual human migrations within the region and beyond. 

Urban ecology

The Pact envisages enhancing collaboration on climate solutions through dialogue and by promoting knowledge sharing and delivering technial assistance on climate mitigation instruments to the Mediterranean Southern partners. But it does not mention urban climate resilience,  an urgent need in the Mediterraean due to its urbanization ratio. Urban ecology  should be included in bilateral and regional collaboration schemes, and in any urban development strategy in the region.  

Agriculture

Described as a key factor for both present and future food security, agriculture is also shown as well as a core element of regional cooperation. From CREAF, we have provided innovative scientific approaches to regenerative agriculture, as a sustainable way of guaranteing food security. Thus, CREAF should explore cooperation and synergies with the different bilateral and regional initiatives to be developed, specially through taylor-made regenerative agriculture.

Finance

The ambition of the Pact will only be fullfilled  if it is accompanied by the critical financial means it requieres to implement the initiatives and institutions it envisages. The size and architecture of the financial resources will allow this vision turn into a milestone in the Mediterranean cooperation. Mobilizing the funds needed from the Mediterranean and beyond will be essential to generate trust in this Pact. It will also be critical to engage different stakeholders in these frameworks, such as public, private and multilateral funds.

At CREAF, we really belive in a common future for  the two shores of the Mediterranean. And in this spirit of cooperation and teamwork, we in the scientific community offer our full support and assistance.