CIHEAM Zaragoza has reinforced its commitment to addressing climate change by actively engaging in COP28 in Dubai. In an event focused on the blue economy in the Mediterranean, CIHEAM’s Spanish Institute has underlined the importance of training, research and cooperation for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in the region.
"With two masters, several advanced courses and a wide range of research and cooperation projects we are able to enhance the expertise of specialists striving to improve the sustainable management of fisheries". Raúl Compés, director of CIHEAM Zaragoza goes on to say, "Our presence at the climate conference of the United Nations is a sign of our commitment to improving the capacities of experts in Mediterranean countries".
During a round table discussion held at COP28 on the blue economy, CIHEAM analysed the needs of fisheries, aquaculture and coastal zones to improve their sustainability and resilience. Compés was joined by Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM, who spoke of the role that port cities and Mediterranean coastal towns can play in the blue economy; Thierry Dupeuble, Director of CIHEAM Montpellier, who addressed the issue of abating pollution and recovering water quality and marine and coastal ecosystems and Yasmine Seghirate El Guerrab, Administrator of CIHEAM’s General Secretariat, who moderated the debate.
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CIHEAM in Dubai at the COP28
The Institute of Zaragoza has been part of the CIHEAM delegation at the COP28, where the intergovernmental organisation made up of 13 member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey) has attended several events related to climate change challenges for Mediterranean agriculture and food systems
The panel discussed the blue economy, agroforestry and the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus, as well as climate security for adaptation and resilience.
CIHEAM has taken advantage of the occasion to hold working meetings with the Moroccan minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Sadiki, and the president of the Arab Water Council (AWC) Mahmoud Abu Zeid.
Participation took place within the context of the Mediterranean Coalition Office – an instrument of action, networking, coordination and discussion that places the Mediterranean region in the climate decision-making arena.