Nicosia, 8 April 2026
At a high-level conference in Nicosia, EU Commissioner Costas Kadis underscored the growing urgency of addressing climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean, framing it as an “ocean crisis” with direct socio-economic consequences. He stressed that the region is experiencing faster-than-average warming, with marine heatwaves, acidification, and invasive species already disrupting ecosystems, fisheries and tourism-dependent communities.
Kadis positioned the European Ocean Pact, introduced by the European Commission in 2025, as the central policy framework to address these challenges. The Pact aims to protect marine ecosystems, strengthen the blue economy, and support coastal populations, with implementation already underway. A key prerequisite for success, he noted, is a deeper scientific understanding of ocean systems.
To this end, the Commissioner highlighted the launch of OceanEye, the EU’s new ocean observation initiative, and the development of the Digital Twin Ocean, which will provide real-time modelling capabilities by 2030. These tools are intended to improve forecasting and mitigation of climate impacts, while a forthcoming Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy will further drive sustainable solutions, including blue carbon sequestration.
Beyond technological innovation, Kadis emphasised the geopolitical dimension of ocean governance. He presented research cooperation frameworks such as Horizon Europe and PRIMA as neutral platforms for regional collaboration, particularly in a politically complex environment like the Eastern Mediterranean. He also pointed to concrete examples of successful cooperation, including the work of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and EU-funded initiatives to combat illegal fishing and improve stock management.
The Commissioner further highlighted the role of sustainable aquaculture as both a food production system and a climate solution, noting its potential for carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration. He also referenced the Pact for the Mediterranean, which seeks to deepen cooperation with Southern Mediterranean partners across economic, scientific and environmental domains.
On the regulatory front, Kadis confirmed that the European Commission is revising key marine legislation, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, to strengthen environmental protection and address climate pressures more effectively.
At the global level, he welcomed the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, stressing the EU’s role in advancing international ocean governance. He concluded by calling for collective, science-based action across borders, emphasising that only coordinated regional and global efforts can secure resilient marine ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods for future generations.
E-Summary by ChatGPT, prompted by Insight EU, based on the speech below.
Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the “Climate Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Regional Cooperation Empowered by Science and Innovation” Conference
“Check against delivery”
Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
First, I would like to congratulate the Cyprus Institute, the EMME Secretariat and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus for organising this event, under the aegis of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
It is a privilege to be with you today, both in my role as Commissioner and as a native of Cyprus, a country whose history, like so many in this region, is inseparable from the sea.
The Eastern Mediterranean is a cradle of civilisation, where the fate of millions of people, of so many of our communities, is tied to the health of our seas.
Yet, as climate change unfolds, the very essence of these communities and their reliance on marine resources are jeopardised. Here, in the Eastern Mediterranean, we can clearly see that the climate crisis is an ocean crisis. Our response must be bold and collective.
The Mediterranean Sea is warming much faster than the global average. Marine heatwaves, acidification, and invasive species are already reshaping ecosystems, threatening fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities. The EU’s Copernicus Marine Service confirms what our fishers already know: stocks are shifting, catches are declining, and traditional livelihoods are at risk.
Against this background, last year the Commission presented the European Ocean Pact. A comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a competitive and sustainable blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. I am proud to say that we are now in the process of implementing the objectives of the Ocean Pact.
But to succeed, we need a good understanding of the ocean, our biggest climate regulator. And for this, science and innovation are key.
This is why, this March, President von der Leyen unveiled OceanEye, our European Ocean Observation Initiative. It will be our window on the ocean, and our key to unlocking even more of its secrets.
An essential building block of OceanEye is the Digital Twin Ocean, which is part of our Mission: “Restore our Ocean and Waters”. Set for completion by 2030, it will provide real-time modelling to predict and mitigate climate impacts.
To make these tools more effective, the Commission will present the Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy by the end of this year. This strategy will drive the development of win-win innovative solutions for sustainable development of island and coastal communities, for example through blue carbon sequestration.
Research and innovation are a stabiliser and confidence-building tool in complex geopolitical contexts.
The EU can engage through neutral, rules-based and value-compliant cooperation mechanisms, fully embedded in Horizon Europe and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).
But data alone is not enough we must turn knowledge into action. As climate change knows no borders, this action must be collective.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) proves that science diplomacy and regional collaboration work. Through initiatives like the EU-funded MedSea4Fish, we are improving stock assessments, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable management across shared waters. A healthy, biodiverse ocean equals a stable climate.
Similarly, for aquaculture, the Commission has issued strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture, while actively working at the international level under the FAO framework. Beyond producing food, aquaculture is also an emerging climate solution. Specific types of farmed seafood can act as a net carbon sink, sequestering carbon as they grow and restore ecosystems, while aquaculture in inland waters can also act as a water “purifier”.
The Pact for the Mediterranean, presented last October, deepens collaboration with our Southern Mediterranean neighbours, prioritising a sustainable blue economy and stronger economic, educational and scientific ties.
I warmly welcome also the Barcelona Convention’s important work in supporting our Member States in implementing EU marine environmental laws, and in addressing challenges related to climate change in the Mediterranean Sea.
Further, I would like to remind that the European Commission is currently revising the EU law on the marine environment the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, as part of the Ocean Pact, which is the legislative component of the Ocean Pact. Our aim is to strengthen the protection of our seas from multiple pressures, including climate challenges.
Finally, the impact of climate change on coastal and island communities and possible solutions will further be addressed in the respective Commission strategies to be adopted this coming June and presented here in Cyprus.
At the same time the European Union continues to engage actively within the UN framework. A key milestone was the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. The EU plays a catalytic role for the ratification of this important agreement.
This was the moment when we saw that we can achieve our biodiversity, and by extension, our climate goals through collaboration and cooperation in seas beyond national jurisdiction.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Eastern Mediterranean is at a crossroads. As we deal with the effects of climate change that defy borders and geopolitics, it is clear that we must tackle this challenge together.
In this context, I would like to congratulate the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus Institute and all the contributors to the EMME Climate Change Initiative, which promotes and coordinates regional climate action, based on robust scientific data.
Science and innovation can help us to forge pathways to resilience and preserve our marine ecosystems and communities. Together through ambition and collaboration we can secure a resilient, productive, and sustainable ocean that benefits not only this generation, but also those that will follow.
Source – EU Commission