Accelerating sustainability
Transforming Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture

13 June 2025, 10.30–11.45
UNOC 2025, Blue Zone, Room 4

Considering the key role played by aquatic systems in addressing food security and supporting livelihoods, the GFCM was actively present at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference with a side event showcasing its model cooperation in the context of sustainable blue foods.

This event represented a key milestone, consolidating and integrating the conclusions of the RPOA-SSF mid-term event, in the context of the SSF Summit, the Fish Forum 2024, and the Regional Aquaculture Conference 2024. With a look toward the future, it kickstarted preparations for the renewal of relevant political declarations.
It also provided the opportunity to officially announce the GFCM Voluntary Ocean Commitment. In mobilizing key stakeholders, it served as a catalyst for countries and partners to also present their related commitments.

A unique platform to share insights and best practices driving sustainability in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region

Bring together and engage key actors in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors

Assess progress and goals to address evolving needs and ocean governance frameworks

Identify challenges and opportunities for blue transformation

Co-organized with

Cooperation and science-based decisions achieve long-lasting impacts for all

Guided by the MedFish4Ever and Sofia ministerial declarations, the GFCM has supported the achievement of SDG 14 and other Sustainable Development Goals in the region.

Overfishing reduced by 30 percent

Aquaculture production doubled

Fisheries restricted areas cover nearly 60 percent of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Building on the progress of the last decade, this event provided an opportunity to:

• Address the challenges of rising blue food demand, climate change and biodiversity conservation.
• Envision how to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture, including the small-scale sectors, remain key pillars of sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Programme

1. Setting the scene

Eric Banel
Director General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, France

Miguel Bernal
Executive Secretary, GFCM

2. Reviewing progress
Keynote speeches  

Charlina Vitcheva
Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission

3. Preparing for challenges ahead 
Panel discussion 

H.E. Alaa Farouk
Minister for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt

Ebubekir Gizligider
Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye

Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra
Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Italy

Ermira Gjeçi
Head of Cabinet, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Albania

Vladimir Jares
Director, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United Nations

Facilitator

Ronan Long
Director, Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, World Maritime University

4. Concluding remarks and announcement of GFCM Voluntary Ocean Commitments

Roland Kristo
Chairperson, GFCM