Small-scale fishers, conservationists and policy experts from across the Mediterranean will bring their perspectives to COP31, calling for stronger marine protection as a way to build climate resilience for coastal communities.

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Antalya, Türkiye, 4 November 2026 – As climate change puts increasing pressure on the Mediterranean Sea and its communities, the Med Sea Alliance, a coalition of 23 organisations, is bringing voices from across the region to COP31 to make the case for putting ocean protection higher on the climate agenda.

Through a press conference and two side events on Tuesday, 10 November, representatives from Türkiye, Lebanon, Tunisia, Greece, France and wider Europe will share firsthand experiences, practical solutions and policy recommendations for strengthening Mediterranean marine protection as a climate solution. 

The discussions will focus on how effectively managed and enforced marine protected areas (MPAs) can support healthier marine ecosystems and greater resilience for coastal communities facing climate change.

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PRESS CONFERENCE

Mediterranean Voices Call on COP31 Presidency to Make Ocean Protection a Climate Priority

When: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | 09:30-10:00

Where: Press Conference Room 2 (Yunus Emre), Area D4 – COP31 Blue Zone

[Webcast available on the COP31 platform]

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Speakers:

• Karlijn Steinbusch – Director, Med Sea Alliance
• Benoît Guerin – Small-scale fisher (France) 
• Alexander Kebbon – Marine Program Coordinator, IndyACT (Lebanon) 
• Zafer Kızılkaya – Director, Mediterranean Conservation Foundation (Türkiye)

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SIDE EVENTS

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Climate resilience for Mediterranean coastal communities: the role of marine protection

When: Tuesday, 10 November | 12:30–13:15


Where: Türkiye Pavilion, Green Industrialization Hub (Yeşil Sanayileşme) – COP31 Green Zone

Speakers: Karlijn Steinbusch (Med Sea Alliance), Zafer Kızılkaya (Mediterranean Conservation Society - Türkiye), Benoît Guerin (Fisher - France), Alexander Kebbon (IndyACT - Lebanon) and Amjed Khiar Eddine (Notre Grand Bleu - Tunisia).

Register here. 

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Reaping the benefits: effective management and enforcement of Mediterranean MPAs

When: Tuesday, 10 November | 16:15–17:00


Where: Türkiye Pavilion, Zero Waste 2 Hub (Sıfır Atık 2) –  COP31 Green Zone

Speakers: Karlijn Steinbusch (Med Sea Alliance), Zafer Kızılkaya (Mediterranean Conservation Society - Türkiye), Angela Lazou Dean (Blue Marine Foundation - Greece), Nils Courcy (ClientEarth - Brussels), and Amjed Khiar Eddine (Notre Grand Bleu - Tunisia).

Register here. 

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MEDIA AND INTERVIEWS

Med Sea Alliance representatives, small-scale fishers, marine conservation and policy experts from across the Mediterranean’s European, North-African and Eastern shores are available for interviews during COP31, offering perspectives on climate impacts on coastal livelihoods, community-led conservation, sustainable fisheries, marine protection policy and enforcement. 

Explore our spokespeople database for expert profiles and interview opportunities. 

Additional resources: Filmed interviews and firsthand testimonies from Mediterranean small-scale fishers are available upon request. 

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CONTACT

Ioana Matei, Communications Lead

hello@ioanamatei.info | +40763625878

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About the Med Sea Alliance: Med Sea Alliance is a coalition of 23 organisations working to strengthen marine protection and tackle destructive and illegal fishing across the Mediterranean.

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