The purpose of the meeting taking place under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme is to review the implementation of the Convention and its protocols and determine the programme and priorities of the Contracting Parties for the next two years.

Many renowned guests from various international governmental and non-governmental organisations participated in the general discussion entitled โ€œGreen Transition in the Mediterranean: From Decisions to Actionsโ€.

A ministerial meeting took place within COP 23, which was attended by Ministerย mag.ย Alenka Bratuลกek, the Minister of Infrastructure in her role as the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning. The attendees were also addressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia,ย Dr Robert Golob. Luฤka Kajfeลพ Bogataj, a renowned scientist and one of the Slovenian pioneers in the research of climate change impact, participated in the panel discussion on behalf of Slovenia.

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  • People are sitting in the auditorium. Speakers sit at a table on the stage. At the 23rd conference (COP23) of the contracting parties, Slovenia assumed presidency of the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea and Its Coasts (The Barcelona Convention) for the period 2024-2025. Photo: Peter Irman
  • People are sitting in the auditorium. Speakers sit at a table on the stage, behind them are flags and a powerpoint presentation. The 23rd conference (COP23). Photo: Peter Irman

With the adoption of the Portoroลพ Ministerial Declaration, the Contracting Parties advocated measures for a faster green transition and investment in the safer water, climate, food and energy future of the marine environment and the coastal region of the Mediterranean.

The official part of the meeting was accompanied by many side events on topical issues.

Young people were placed at the forefront.

Discussion partners exchanged good practices at the event entitled โ€œEducation and Youth: For a Sustainable Future in the Mediterraneanโ€ and drafted joint guidelines for the transformation of school systems in Mediterranean countries so they could provide efficient tools when combating environment pollution and adjusting to climate change in the light of increasingly frequent and high-impact extreme weather events.

  • Mitja Brecelj sits at a table on stage and speaks. Two female speakers are sitting next to him. The 23rd conference (COP23) Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention was chaired by Mitja Bricelj. Photo: Peter Irman

Sloveniaโ€™s role

The main tasks of the Slovenian Presidencyย will be linked with the management of areas on land, coast and sea, including modern measures to prevent pollution and other ecological disasters and their management if they occur. Special attention will be dedicated to the measures for reducing the negative impact of climate change and improvement of biodiversity.

The official website of the Slovenian Presidency can be found at cop23-slovenia.com

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  • Robert Golob is at the lectern speaking, behind him are flags. Prime Minister Robert Golob: "We must make sure we provide food, energy, climate and security for the whole Mediterranean area. This is something that we truly owe to our children, to our common history and to our common future." Photo: Peter Irman
  • Robert Golob and Maลกa Kociper shaking hands in front of the COP 23 billboard. Prime Minister Robert Golob and Maลกa Kociper, State Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister. Photo: Peter Irman

In the field of spatial planning and the environment in connection with management of coastal and marine resources, Slovenia is an example of good practice. It is the first country in the European Union to have a maritime spatial plan. During its Presidency of the EU Council, it obtained the Contracting Partiesโ€™ consensus to designate the whole of the Mediterranean Sea as an emission control area for sulphur oxides (MED SECA), which was the greatest achievement of COP 22 in Turkey and which the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will enforce in 2025.