Cairo, Egypt | December 4th, 2025
2B-BLUE Highlights Mediterranean Blue Biotechnology Innovation at COP24
Dr. Jesús E. Argente García, researcher at the University of Murcia and representative of the 2B-BLUE project, participated in the COP24 side event “Pathways to a Thriving Mediterranean Blue Economy: Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability”, held during the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in Cairo, Egypt.
The event—co-organized by eco-union, IDDRI, IUCN-Med, Plan Bleu, the World Bank, MIO-ECSDE and the Universities of Patras and Murcia—brought together policymakers, scientists, and regional partners to discuss coordinated pathways for a resilient, innovative and sustainable Mediterranean Blue Economy. It addressed the region’s rapidly increasing environmental pressures, its vulnerability to climate change, and the need for transformative solutions that harmonize economic growth with marine protection. As part of the expert panel “Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean: Governance, Innovation, and Coastal Resource Management,” Dr. Argente delivered a key contribution entitled “Boosting the Mediterranean Blue Biotechnology Community: From Local to Global Innovation for Marine Protection and Better Governance.”
Representing 2B-BLUE, Dr. Argente emphasized:
- The role of blue biotechnology as a fast-growing driver of sustainable innovation across the Mediterranean.
- The importance of cross-border scientific cooperation to advance marine protection, ecosystem regeneration, and responsible resource use.
- The mission of 2B-BLUE to consolidate and strengthen the Mediterranean blue biotechnology community, connecting researchers, public authorities, and innovators, including those from African countries, to accelerate knowledge transfer and policy uptake.
“Mediterranean blue biotechnology holds enormous potential to deliver solutions that are not only innovative, but also deeply aligned with ecological resilience and better ocean governance,” Dr. Argente noted. “Through 2B-BLUE, we are fostering a more connected and impactful scientific community able to shape the future of the region’s Blue Economy.”
The panel also featured high-level contributions from representatives of the Government of Morocco, the World Bank, IDDRI, IUCN-Med and the University of Patras, addressing nature-based solutions, blue tourism, circular aquaculture, and governance frameworks guiding the Mediterranean’s sustainable transition.
Photos: UMU
