The 9th Global Ocean Forum is set to take place in Bizerte, Tunisia, on September 24-25, 2026. The event is organized by SHARE4MED and will bring together researchers, officials, diplomats, business leaders, and civil society representatives from various parts of the Mediterranean region. The forum's theme, "Working for a Plastic-Free Mediterranean," highlights the urgent need to address the issue of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, accounting for around 7% of the world's total microplastic content despite covering only 1% of the global ocean area. Every year, approximately 230,000 tons of plastic waste end up in the Mediterranean, threatening around 17,000 species of endemic organisms. The situation is expected to worsen, with global plastic production projected to double by 2050, reaching 500 million tons, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The forum aims to raise awareness about the issue of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean and promote collective action to address it. Pascal Lamy, president of the Global Ocean Forum, emphasized that the Mediterranean is a "guardian of warning" that requires urgent attention. He noted that the sea is in a critical state, and immediate action is needed to mitigate the damage.
The forum will focus on promoting cooperation and developing concrete solutions to tackle plastic pollution. Rem ben Zina, director of the forum, stressed the importance of collective action, stating that the event is not just a conference but a platform for stakeholders to work together to find solutions. The forum will feature a series of sessions, workshops, and discussions on scientific research, local realities, and international cooperation.
The first day of the forum will be dedicated to regional and local cooperation, with a focus on presenting the European project SHARE4MED and launching a new association, Circe.Med. The second day will feature a series of sessions on scientific knowledge, local realities in Tunisia, and international cooperation. The forum will also introduce the "Plastic Credit Exchange," a platform aimed at financing green infrastructure.
The SHARE4MED project, funded by the European Union, aims to support Mediterranean municipalities in implementing green initiatives to promote sustainability in the region. The project focuses on helping small municipalities develop and implement environmentally friendly projects.
The Global Ocean Forum is taking place amid ongoing international negotiations on a treaty to combat plastic pollution. The forum aims to amplify the voice of the Mediterranean region and promote a concerted effort to address the issue of plastic pollution. The event is expected to contribute to the development of concrete solutions and promote a plastic-free Mediterranean.
Key points
- The 9th Global Ocean Forum will focus on promoting collective action to address plastic pollution in the Mediterranean region.
- The Mediterranean Sea accounts for around 7% of the world's total microplastic content despite covering only 1% of the global ocean area.
- The forum aims to develop concrete solutions and promote a plastic-free Mediterranean through collective action and international cooperation.
